Video Game Addiction.

Studies show that the excitement of video games makes playing them addictive. Parents
of preteens hardly find this surprising.
Ask any preteen how they love to spend their spare time, and chances are you'll get an
earful about video games. But why do they love them so? Are they addictive? According
to some studies it would appear that the excitement of video games causes the brain to
release a chemical that is, in essence, addictive. For any parent who has seen the
fervor by which some kids play video games, this news is no surprise.

What makes these games so addictive? Media literacy specialist, Dr. Charles Ungerleider
explains that "they're very compelling with increasing complexity, so a child becomes
more facile, yet wants to know more and apply new skills." While wanting to improve
their game isn't a problem in itself, it becomes one if video games are "taking a
youngster away too much from other activities," says Ungerleider. "Then the parent
has to intervene and limit the amount of time the youngster spends with the video game."

Professor of Computer Science, Maria Klavee feels video games, if not too violent,
can "offer some real opportunities for puzzle solving, strategic and critical
thinking". But she adds that it's important that video and computer games are played
in moderation. Klavee says parents should "provide a selection of activities, not just
the ones that have the most action or are addictive. Choose some that involve problem
solving or good story lines. Also aim for a balance in your child's life. Sports are
important, reading's important. Just think of computer games as one more component in
a child's exploration of what's out there in society."

As for addiction? Ungerleider believes that "a parent can prevent youngsters from
becoming addicted to too much TV or too many video games by establishing a pattern of
selective viewing or by using video game material early in a child's life so that by
the time a youngster gets to be an adolescent and there's very little surveillance or
control, it's less likely to occur."

Finally, Ungerleider remind parents that "if a youngster becomes addicted to video
games it can be a problem and the parent does need to intervene and provide attractive
alternatives."