With the spread of internet use and society’s reliance on its tools, people do become more dependent on it. However, the concept of internet addiction seems too broad when actually addressing the negative issues related to Internet use. Many students use the internet regularly, not because they are addicted to it, but because it is their main source of research and information. Ivan Goldberg, M.D coined the term Internet Addiction Disorder in 1997. Since then the internet landscape has changed and people do not fear the growth of its use. The internet encompasses such a vast meaning for different users and its implications are as equally extensive. Potera and Bishop made a strong argument that the Internet and pathological gambling are two drastically different things. I think many tools can be abused and the actually activity that a person is interacting with will indicate the severity of the problem. Is it addiction when a news reporter constantly checks the internet for news updates? Is this as problematic as a sports better excessively gambling on games? Can internet addiction really be defined by internet use, or is it categorical and dependent on the activity of the engaged person?
The concept of internet gaming is a specific aspect of internet abuse. The psychological effects of video games have been an issue of debate for a long time. Will the internet perpetuate these problems even further? Northwestern University’s study about the depression levels in the game EverQuest II showed high depression levels in users. Do you think it was because active players get depressed or because people with depression play the game? I think that gaming can be an escape mechanism that is often attractive for people suffering depression. Also, a study at Oxford argues that video gaming relieves stress. People can unwind and remove themselves from stressful activities by playing the games. Games can be distracting, as indicated in "The 15 Clearest Benefits of Gaming," but this distraction can have both a positive and negative effect. Overall, I think the appropriate use and manor of consumption plays a huge role in determining overuse or abusive behavior of the Internet and video games. If a child never plays outside with friends and constantly interacts with games, they are at risk because of the time missed from participating in other positive activities. If the child were to play the game and still play outdoors and interact with children, would the games be as harmful? How do we determine what degree of gaming is beneficial? Does it depend on the person?
If the Internet and video games do attract so many users, what positive impact can they have on society? I think it will be interesting to see if Keri Schreiner’s mention of games as a platform for social change will actually work . I typically think of video games themes to be more negative and related to criminal activities. Could it be the content of the games that leads to depression? If the violence is removed from games and it becomes more focused on social issues, will the number of participants continue to increase?
Those are interesting points you posed and I think they will be increasingly important issues for future generations to tackle. The wealth of information and opportunities provided by the Internet put people more at risk to overuse it as a search tool. However, does that mean you are "addicted" to the Internet? Or are you addicted to a specific type of content (internet games, college recruiting information, online poker)and the Internet is the most efficient way to access it?
ReplyDeleteI think users will become increasingly addicted to gaming as technology advances. The internet allows users to interact with each other online while playing a game simultaneously. This aspect cuts off the need for face-to-face interaction between game enthusiasts and could further isolate people from one another. Could it be that this isolation spurs the depression felt by many people that use internet games?
This is becoming a more relevant debate every year that passes. The progressive trend to engage in sedentary activity rather than physical activity is one of the major problems with the physical fitness of Americans. People watch television, play video games, and browse the Internet today more than ever. The positive of this movement is that more people have access to the news of the world and other educational opportunities. On the flipside of the debate are questions like whether or not video games are causing violence in society.
ReplyDeleteSo these "problems" are either beneficial or harmful depending on the person and their reason for using these various technologies. Regulation is not only improbable but almost impossible. Initiatives that encourage physical education/activity for grade school children and instilling nutritional eating habits are several of the methods to curve this problem. I, for one, don't think that video games necessarily encourage violence. The kids that killed themselves in Columbine had problems that dug way deeper than simply enjoying shooting people in video games. In any case, it will be interesting to observe society's ongoing technological boom its affect on how people spend their time and the results of that.
From a psychologists perspective, an Internet addiction disorder would most likely be the point at which the Internet disrupts an individual from functioning normally in his or her daily routine. We have already discussed the question: at what point in checking your email or facebook status too frequently does it become a disruption to every day activities? Moreover, we brought up the question of how depression fits into video gaming.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I question the comorbidity of Internet addiction disorders. Is it likely that one becomes obsessed with the Internet because of a current disorder? For example, maybe obsessive-compulsive disorder is the cause for checking email or facebook too much. What about those obsessed with hacking into security systems or stealing identities? Are those individuals suffering from another disorder? Overall, I wonder: is it more likely that Internet addiction disorders act alone or appear because they are subject after other disorders?
I think that our society is quick to form judgment on people's behavior and thus, classify them into certain categories, such as "Internet addiction." Since the Internet has become a huge phenomenon that has proliferated so greatly within a relatively short time period, people may not be sure how to respond to such to the activities of the "tech-savvy" generation. We are quick to blame the Internet or computer games (or even movies) for fostering violence in children. However, in my opinion, the world is no more violent than it was before the Internet, whether you look back on 50 years ago or 1000 years ago. Violence is a quality that is not only inherent in humans; all animals are capable of aggressive behavior yet they don't have access to Internet gaming. Thus, it is not necessary to have a form of media to show us what is means to be violent.
ReplyDeleteIn response to the findings of the Northwestern University's study, I believe that it makes more sense to say that personality dictates behavior, instead of the other way around. Therefore, people with depression are more like to seclude themselves from the real world and participate in socially isolated activities, such as Internet games (where there is still some social stimulation but far removed from the real thing). The internet is a great resource tool for an infinite number of things and it would be difficult to prevent oneself from using it, after discovering how versatile it is. I think that the term "Internet addiction" has a vague definition and can be used loosely; it only becomes problematic when it negatively interferes one's experience in the real world. The important thing to keep in mind is moderation; that is, knowing how to balance your activities between the virtual world and reality.
i think with a lot of these issues, such as depression, addiction, and violent tendencies, we often find it easy to take something like gaming, the internet, or some other entity and place all of the blame on that. There's certainly some validity to the idea that some people become addicted to the internet, or some people experience more violent emotions while playing a violent game, but I think it's hasty to say that these things are the cause of the problems. But a shoot-em-up video game that gets one persons blood boiling may be a way for another person to unwind. Generalizing technologies in this way can be just as dangerous as underestimating the effects they can have.
ReplyDeleteWell, I definitely believe video games can be very harmful to one's health. A perfect example is the South Korean man who died from heart failure playing World of Warcraft for 50 hours nonstop without eating or drinking. Many of us would think that we would get up when we are hungry, tired, or need to use the restroom. But, I think everyone has, at some point in their lives, experienced some form of addiction to technology. Whether that is playing a video game, watching a marathon of law & order: svu (something I must say that I am certainly guilty of), downloading music and making a mix CD...it's addictive and captivating. Everyone is curious to see what happens next. In a video game, it's also about conquering a challenge. You want to get to the next level. So, for many people, that need comes before their health. Another problem is the vitamin deficiency. It's so important to get at least 15 minutes of sunlight a day and without it, you can become very deficient in vitamin D and that's not good for anyone. I agree that many of the games that are out on the shelves nowadays are violent, but I think it's up to the parents to regulate what their kids play with or watch. You can only blame the games for so long. Children sometimes act based on what they view on television, but you can't blame a show for displaying a violent story. That's not fair.
ReplyDeleteI really don't think that there is a way to stop the depression trend as mentioned in the blog. These companies that produce violent games will continue to do so as long as revenue is coming in. At the same time I don't think that our continued use of the internet is a bad thing either. Reduced physical activity is something that should be blamed on the individual and not the internet/games. The parents have to sort of be parents and regulate their kids daily activities and make sure there is a balance in life. To conclude, you can get addicted to anything, but it is when the addiction starts interfering with normal daily activities (such as going to school/work on time) that it becomes a problem.
ReplyDeleteBringing up the Internet addiction disorder opens up a huge discussion. I agree that you can get addicted to anything, and with the benefits of our technological advances, they are followed with negative side effects. Kind of like drugs, where they will help with one sympton, but all of them have side effects like nausea and vomiting. And like everything else, there are varying forms of addiction. Sometimes when I am bored, I just go on the internet and waste time...does that mean that I am addicted? I was thinking the same thing as mapeck in that what if this "internet addiction disorder" really is just a person's way of showing their OCD? Just like a person with OCD will brush their teeth every hour, would that be called "brushing teeth disorder"? I agree with other people that the internet right now is just an easy place to put blame.
ReplyDeleteAll of these points are very good, but I want to go off of something similar to what Jordan made a point too because I was thinking along the same lines as him. I can agree with the original post that these games can be addicting creating a lot of problems as people begin to neglect important things in there life like school, work, family or friends. It is not healthy to be so consumed in game on the internet or off that you begin to lose yourself and other things around you.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you can say these games are the reason for depression. If someone is depressed I think these games could make it worse but at the same time I think it could be an outlet. If someone enjoys playing these games and it allows it to keep their minds off their problems then the game may actually help depression. Obviously if they become so consumed in it, like many people do, it isn't healthy but nothing is healthy if you do it constantly and it rules your life. Depression is very serious and I think there are a lot more factors that create depression and web addiction and gaming only affects it in either a positive or negative way.
All of these points are excellent. It's true that games are addicting and the consequences of these addictions can be argued either way. As the world of gaming continues to progress, it is becoming more evident that human interaction is depleting. We are a society that is becoming so intricately intertwined with the web that we are losing our abilities to communicate with one another.
ReplyDeleteOn a more positive note, gaming allows people to live pseudo-dream lives that would otherwise never exist. They become so involved in the characters or the gameplay that these traits feel real to them. There is a degree excitement that comes with the completion of levels or victories in a sports game that doesn't occur within the real world. These escapisms, I would argue, increase and decrease one's depression. For example, one person's excitement may stem from the gaming world only to lead to a depressed state when not wrapped in pixels and controllers. Should he/she not benefit from this? Then again, is it hurting them more?
Either way, I wager we exist at a precarious threshold where we can either continue plunging ourselves further into cyber-lives or we can pull ourselves back from the edge before we become too confined to our current ways of communicating and living.
I definitely feel like the concept of internet addiction is an issue that should be addressed. Although there are many different uses and many different ways one could possibly abuse it and become addicted, I agree with Lea in the sense that it is not necessarily what you are doing but, “any tool can be abused and the actually activity that a person is interacting with will indicate the severity of the problem.” I do not think that a news reporter constantly checking news updates online is not an addiction. I also do not think that me constantly checking my email or “Facebook” is an addiction. However, I feel like once doing an activity excessively, where you become dependent on doing that activity and cannot live without it- that is what I feel defines what internet addiction is.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Northwestern study, I feel that anyone who becomes dependent on an activity, lives for this specific game in this instance, you are abusing it. That being said, I think that once people get addicted and too wrapped up in it they will in turn become depressed. I also agree with the fact that video games are a form of an escape mechanism but in the end may hurt your depression more once you become dependent on it. However, one may have a different take on it when talking about people are not happy with who they are so they might want to make a “second life” to recreate who they are into someone they are happy with.
I agree with some of the other posts- it is not fair to blame depression solely on gaming. I feel that since they reduce stress it is possible that these may actually help depression, especially since on these online games people tend to be more open-minded and view others with no stereotypes of prejudices. While on the other hand, since these games can become an internet addiction I think they can increase depression.
In the end, all of these points are good, but that leaves me with one final statement. There are obviously many of different addictions out there, but we can become addicted to just about anything (also known as OCD sometimes), it is when we become too wrapped up in something people often lose themselves and who they really are.
I agree with your above point saying that gaming in moderation can be an outlet for life’s problems and a stress reliever for those involved. I think that people who are depressed turn to games as a reaction to their condition. They are seeking to forget their feelings and see games as the best outlet. Talking in class today about the benefits of gaming, our group thought that using games as simulators for real life situations can be positive for pilots, drivers, and possibly even doctors. These provide professionals with a way to practice situations which are critical in real life. The United States Army also uses simulators for combat situations. Another point our group thought of was the use of gaming for physical rehab. There is a good amount of evidence that using games improves hand eye coordination and reaction time. For instance, the Nintendo Wii Balance Board is a way for people in physical rehab to regain their ability to determine weight distribution. While gaming does get a lot of negative feedback from the outside community and addiction is present among a small amount of the population, overall, gaming is a positive development which benefits society when used in correct moderation.
ReplyDeleteI definitely see the potential in Schreiner’s gaming style/ideas. I feel like they could work to alleviate some of the underpinning social sores and could simultaneously allow for progression. With that, I think that the major obstacles that this genre faces are the level of entertainment it offers and making the schism between reality and fantasy appealing.
ReplyDeleteAlong with Meredith's comment, I do wonder what is the source of an internet addiction. Don't most addictions come with other issues? Alcoholics aren't just addicted to alcohol but also are trying to escape something such as depression. Many obsessions do come out of underlying issues. For those with access to internet, it is quite easy to get caught up in and lose time. Any type of obsessive behavior that interferes with one's life should be seen as an addiction and is justified in the need for help.
ReplyDeleteRegardless if one is hacking a military base or just consumered by MMORPGs, if it disaffects their life, then it is an addiction. Others don't have to be hurt in order for them to hurt themselves.
Many people have commented on the idea that an addiction to Internet is really a reflection of an already existing psychological problem in an individual. I also think that the Internet is simply another vehicle for someone predisposed with an addictive behavior to channel their problem. The Internet as a whole is too great of an asset for humanity to simply disregard its integrity because of its potentially addictive nature; it is not a black and white issue. I don't consider those who compulsively check e-mail, facebook, and the cnn.com headlines to be "addicts" in the psychological sense, because as others have already stated, their habits do not have much interference with their own lives or negatively affect the lives of others.
ReplyDeleteI believe that gaming, however, can be considered an addiction. Not only does research support the notion that violence in video games correlates to violent tendencies and attitudes in impressionable youths, but the mere anti-social behavior of it can also lead to problems with loved ones and friends, as evidenced by more studies. This is not to say, however, that all gaming addicts cannot justify their problem, or that all gamers become violent. Just as with any addiction, each person has their own unique impetus, or "trigger," for their addiction. As gaming is much less physically destructive to ones health than many alternative addictions, many can reasonably argue that it is a safer, more socially acceptable form of escapism. For example, I consider both of my cousins gaming addicts. Because they saw very little signs of unconditional love from the two parents that raised them, they began to rely on virtual John Madden, for example, to give them any sign of positive reinforcement. As seemingly pathetic as this form of acceptance and comfort is, I don't deny that it provided them with more confidence and self-esteem than their parents did. Just like anything else, Internet or gaming "addiction" must be analyzed on a case by case basis, as there are too many variables to consider in each person's situation.
I have to agree with Bishop from our readings earlier. The internet is an environment and therefore cannot itself be addictive. Rather, the things that you do in that environment are addictive like gaming or facebook or e-mail. The need to participate in these activities is how I would classify addiction.
ReplyDeleteIn response to the question, "Do you think it was because active players get depressed or because people with depression play the game?" - My first gut reaction is to say that people who play the game get depressed, but after further thought, it really is hard to tell. Certainly there are people that play so much that their social lives are affected, leading to depression - but the game must also attract a certain type of person. If the game is based on a dark, sinister story or if it is based on fantasy, it could attract people who are trying to escape their everyday (and possibly depressing) life.
ReplyDeleteAs far as gaming addiction goes, I really think gaming is the same as a lot of other hobbies and activities - in moderation, it has positive effects; but in excess, it can cause problems in various aspects of a person's life. It's just a matter of knowing what is healthy and what isn't.
I think the concept of Internet addiction is really interesting. I, like many in the class, find myself spending hours upon hours online every day. I rely on Google for just about everything and don't know what to do when my Internet is down. But I think Lea's question, "Can internet addiction really be defined by internet use, or is it categorical and dependent on the activity of the engaged person?" is highly important. Three of my five classes this semester are in computer labs. Both of my jobs have me sitting in front of a computer. So does my homework. And while I'm on facebook, etc. far less than some of my friends, I know I spend AT LEAST 8 hours a day on the computer and usually on the Internet, usually a lot more than that, but I don't think of myself as addicted. I just use the tools to get my work done, keep up with the news and communicate as needed. I think that people who spend inordinate hours online shopping or gaming or using social networking sites might have an addiction to the Internet, but there are a great number of other people who simply have jobs and lifestyles that take place online and require constant connection. High Internet use and computer proficiency should be viewed as an opportunity, not as a challenge to our society. Offerings of online courses and other opportunities are hugely important to capturing the current generation and helping our technology evolve to serve our needs appropriately.
ReplyDeleteI think the point you made about maybe its the content that causes the negative or criminal behavior and depression rather than the act itself. I think that is very interesting and worth thinking about. However, I agree in the fact that gaming and these other virtual worlds when participated IN MODERATION it is beneficial and the more aware the participants are of the dangers I think it can help prevent these problems. However, I think the big question we are left with still remains...should virtual communities continue to flourish, to allow them to reach their possible potential then figure out how to fix the problems if necessary or suppress certain aspects of virtual communities to prevent possibilities of harm? However, I feel truly the only way to answer this issue is time. With more time and study policymakers can take one more step in making laws for virtual communities that allows the freedom which our Constitution provides for citizens, while also protecting them from the harm we possibly present to ourselves.
ReplyDeleteAs much as people like to convince themselves that video games are an addiction, I think they are just newfound hobbies. Just like interesting TV shows or reading good books, it is something people enjoy and like to spend their time doing. I know people who are just as interested in reading as some others are in playing video games. Does that mean people write condescending articles about how they are probably depressed and antisocial? No, because playing video games is just linked with the bad connotation of sitting in front of a computer by yourself clicking buttons. If it is looked at that way, reading is just staring at words and flipping pages. It is all just a conflict of interests and I don’t think playing video games means a person is depressed.
ReplyDeleteAs many others have noted I completely agree that it is the way in which one participates in these activities that defines the addiction, not participation in general. Moderation of any activity is necessary to a healthy participation. I can specifically relate to Emily's comment regarding the necessity of the internet and computer use in daily life. My internship this past summer required many hours in front of a computer daily; however, I was not addicted to the activities. I was simply engaging in tasks necessary to best fulfill my tasks. I do agree with some of the above posts that preexisting disorders can contribute to addiction; however, this is not always the case. I'm sure many of you were as shocked as I to learn of the couple who neglected their children to play online games. This is a clear example of online gaming furthering an existing problem. While regulation may be difficult- virtual laws and regulations are necessary to allow communities to participate in moderation.
ReplyDeleteI have never been a big gamer, just occasionally staying up too late playing hearts on yahoo, but this shouldn't be considered an addiction. I believe that people should practice self control and take responsibility for their actions when they don't. Apparently more and more people are loosing grasp of the concept of self control, but this should not be treated the same as addictions such as alcohol and drugs.
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