Computer Game and Internet Addiction: The Emergence of a New Clinical Disorder
A few days ago, I was at my aunt’s neighborhood to check for possible houses for sale. One of the most important considerations for moving in a new neighborhood is a fast internet connection. I visited an internet cafe inside the neighborhood, just a few meters from the vilage church. It was 8:00 PM and the internet cafe brimmed with high school and even grade school students playing some kind of war game, possibly Defense of the Ancients (DOTA) , an expanded version of Warcraft. I was horrified to see these kids. Shouldn’t they be studying? It upset me that the parents are not monitoring their children’s whereabouts.
Then I read today’s article in Manila Bulletin . “Computer ‘Addicts’ Rise in Defense of their hobby”
Better Games than drugs. Who would disagree with this reasoning esecially when cited by teenagers hooked on computer games? This is the reason why computer game afionados should not be restricted in pursuing their hobby, said Gladys, a self-confessed computer game addict
So is that reason for their leniency? Addiction is addiction is addiction. The symptons are the same as any addiction. These kids are becoming addicted to the Internet or Computer Games in much that same way that others became addicted to drugs or alcohol which result in academic, social, and occupational impairment. Although computer addiction is the lesser evil compared to drug addiction, it nevertheless takes away the priorities of these children. Even if they are done with their homework, they should be reading books. What have I done to ensure that my kids (who were in high school ) were never hooked to the computer.
1. There was only one computer to be shared by the whole family.
2. The computer is located near a high traffic area, the kitchen. This is to ensure that I can easily monitor their online activities.
3. I never allowed computer games to be installed in the computer unless they were educational in nature like mysteries or adventure. A favorite game was the classic “Oregon Trail” and the “Storybook Weaver” for creative writing.
4. Only one hour usage allowed if playing these educational games.
They never complained of their computer time because they had other activities such as singing, swimming and tons of books to read. I believe that kids know their priorities if the parent helps establish it. Now that the kids are in college, I have faith that the priorities are ingrained in their minds. I provided them their own personal computer which they need for the paperwork requirements and the freedom to install games which can alleviate school-related stress.
What are we to do with these kids who have lost their priorities because of their addiction? They will only realize the bad effects of their addiction once they get failing marks . As long as they are doing well in school, they will continue to play or go online. Parents need to draw boundaries once their kids start using the computer or even game consoles. What can the government do? According to the Business Promotion and Development Office (BPDO) of the Mania City Hall, they are not strict when it comes to releasing permits of the Internet Shops since so far, there is no particular ordinance governing their operation. However the BPDO is strict in implementing two policies:
1. That all computer shops must be 50 meters away from churches, schoools and government institutions
2. and that there should be a notice saying that minors are not allowed to play during school hours or from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
No wonder there are a lot of kids at that time of the night. I still believe that minor children should be at their own homes , monitored by their parents. I strongly suggest that internet cafes allow a maximum one hour usage during school days (from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM). The laws should be changed that minor children shouldn’t be playing games during school days. I believe children can be taught the wise use of the computer as early as 6 years old and that parents should be firm with their discipline towards the welfare of their children’s educational growth.
This is about me ( a 
It
My comments to your post ->
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^_^
(im not sure if the trackback worked)
@JC- great article. I wasn’t aware of what others spoke of gamers. My concern is really the future of theses kids in terms and it’s about time that parents and internet cafes work together to make gaming time a disciplined activity.
This is also the reason why we only have one family computer. And there’s five of us sharing. I agree that kids should busy themselves with other activities too, not just the computer or video games.
I agree. Im 24 now, but during my online gaming (specifically) days, one of what I did then was to spend 2 weeks of my life playing games almost non-stop. I will eat infront of the PC, take a short nap.
Back then, it was all MUDs or text-based online games. My parents who got tired of me, let me do what I want, until I realized myself that, to satisfy my “want” to play these online games, I have to finish my studies to get a job, so I can earn money to pay for my [1] internet bill, [2] food, [3] electricity, [4] water, [5] phone line, and so on.
When pRO (Philippine Ragnarok Online) was first announced, one thing I said then “students will start failing in their subjects, online gaming addiction will soon become an issue”, and so it was.
It is sad. I am planning on working with NGOs or doctors or clinics to solve this issue as someone who was once addicted. I really want to help them. Just like our Pastor said, “anything beyond 100% is not good” or “anything extreme is bad”. Gaming is good just like drugs, but if taken wrongly it will spell destruction to anyone.
i used to play online games morning til night. noong kapanhunan ng counterstrike yun.
pero ngayon halos wala na. puroonline browsing na lang.
dapat kasi teh parents should be educated on what are the pros and cons of these interneet games.
bottomline here is that: everything should be in moderation.
its ok to play games, but should always be limited.
I totally agree with you. I don’t think it’s very healthy either to be sitting all day and staring at the computer (I’m guilty of this since I started blogging). The myriad of activities of your children would help them to become well-rounded individuals.
@niceheart- when we had the internet, i knew that one computer was going to be healthy for us
@JC- one of the most affordable treatment might come from the 12 step recovery programs started by Alcoholics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous etc. We have these groups already in our country and I have first hand knowledge that these Anonymous groups have helped addicts in their recovery.
I saw this Internet-a-holics Anonymous
http://www.internetaddiction.com/
Perhaps you can start a group here in the Philippines
@eric- I know games are really fun but I don’t agree that it should be played for hours on end.
@toe- I am only a bit lenient during summer break but even then, I make sure there are enough activities to keep the kids occupied other than their game consoles or their computer.
This is very timely. The 2 very young kids of my friends developed UTI from delaying going to the bathroom so that they can play PC games nonstop. The hysterical cries of kids playing PC games until midnight in internet cafes/computer shops used to just annoy me and J. Now that we have a child of our own, the thought that she might someday be similarly hooked to the habit is frightening.
I even heard of a parent whose child had incurred a huge bill in the computer shops. Unknown to the parents, for a month, their child kept on going there instead of attending classes.
Most cities have ordinances banning these computer shops near schools, it’s just a matter of having the will to implement it.
@lemon: how awful to have UTI at such a young age. Addiction can really happen to the best of families. When my little boy was still alive, he knew he had limits in playing the playstation and the computer. He never complained that he couldn’t play during school days. I believe the parents need to be firm to their kids at an early age.
Great article! With 2 little boys, I am concerned about video games. Honestly I don’t want them around. As parents, we’ve already discussed that there will be no XBOX, PS2, or whatever in our house. As an extension, I really have no desire to get my kids on the internet. Considering all the dangers for kids online, I’d rather them call their friends than IM, write letters instead of emails, and go to the library instead of research online.
Funny that we’re so anti-technology with our kids… both of us are techies!
We only have one computer as well. My husband loves games but doesn’t play as much anymore. My kids are limited on how much time they play…
Hello! Thank you so much for seting up a blog in this article, there have been oh so few articles on online gaming addiction in the Philippines.. Guess they’re (the media) just not seeing that the problem is practically crippling a considerable part of their population. Yeah, ive found articles but i thik few off them. Ive been looking for statistics on addictions, but in all my sources, i only found around two that says, “Filipinos ARE slowly becoming addicted to online gaming, or MMORPG’s for that matter,” DIRECTLY, and that number includes in this one. With this premise, i ask for permission to use this information, with proper citations of course. Thanks!
@Alex- Sure you can use this entry with proper credits. I cited a news feature from Bulletin Today but couldn’t find it in their online version. Sad to say that media doesn’t recognize it as a problem since this is the lesser evil than drug addiction. Maybe you can do your own data gathering in the internet cafes. They say the gaming industry beefed up the dying internet cafe industry.
this article does not discuss the pov’s of both sides of the story. so this coming from an adult is biased. i think your suggestions and the policies mentioned are too extreme. personally it sounds like a dictatorship. discipline is not always the answer to everything. i also believe that you are a old-fashioned and controlling parent. times have changed. btw, anything can be labeled “educational” in today’s market.
@Annie- this is not an article. This is a blog entry. THe POV Of the gamers have already been discussed in the Bulletin Article. As a parent I wrote my opinion on “computer game addiction”. You are probably confused between “control” and guidance. Very young children especially high school and below need parental guidance. Once they reach college, they are old enough to decide what is best for them based on the guidance their parents and school offered them. Times have changed but the good old parental guidance is never old fashioned. I should know. I formulated one of the first internet safety rules for children which was approved by the cyberangels and a world kids site way back in 1996.
Interesting..
I am currently gathering data, opinions, PoVs, articles, and other people who thinks that this matter may become serious in our country. Right now tho, many will argue that the country is still not in that state where online gaming addiction (and gaming in general) is something we must spend time on, but I believe that the best solution is early prevention and preparation.
I’m still thinking of the best way to facilitate communication, I may use Google Groups if it’s the best way. I’ll invite people there. I think it’s best to keep the group a little private as to avoid.. well… some gamers who think they’re gods
(very common)
Computer Addiction????
Here’ just to write my thoughts
First I believe that computer gaming/surfing etc might triger an addiction but blog like this, self descipline, or parents responsibility is “A MUST” (great responsibility) of everyone.
Source of information to understand the pro’s and con’s is important.
A kid’s/teens for example that goes to the library doesn’t mean thier really in library. Or even in the library now a day has computer which mean limiting them for using the computer in the house would not mean they will not go to their friend to use thier computer, nor to the computer shop with your knowledge.
A simple word advice to your kids/teens is very helpful. This is a same logic as to tell someone “try to go home early dont get late”, “dont try to take drugs nor alcohol” or “have fun and be safe”
So to sum all my thoughs
hehehe Computer Addiction is as bad as not doing anything. On my behalf I rather be addicted at some point experiencing and embracing the technology in a good way.
Good way as to:
Computer addiction often helps you learn how to type and understand the modern way of living.
Computer addiction open you to the new world out there whats happening.
Computer addiction gives you information than beyond your reach of social living.
Computer addiction helps you get information you need such as researching.
Computer addiction helps you prepare on work force the require computer knowlege
the more your expose to the computer the better.
About the poor 2 boys, i deeply sympathize for them. But let us remember thiers alot of illness out thier ready to be triggered by other activities. Computer addiction maybe one but let us not forget that ones fault should not be the blame of all.
Get inform, get warn, the more knowledge/wisdom you have the more we could moderate all.
end of thoughs….
please help me… i think i’m becoming one of those people.. i still want to have a brighter future. i planned on quitting on computer games but it is easier said than done.
pwede bang mag tagalog?
sa tingin ko maswerte mga anak mo dahil nabibigyan mo sila ng swimming lessons maraming disney storry books, mga novels ni Jane Austen mga libro ng mga sikat na nobilista pero pano mo masisisi ang magulang na average na tao? o yung mahirap? di naman nila kayang ibigay yun.
sa tingin ko bahagi talaga ng buhay ang malulung sa isang bagay, ang sinasabi nyu lang naman ay hindi magiging productive ang batang ADIK “ECONOMICALLY”, laging nababanggit ang pagaaral ang KINABUKASAN “KUNO” ng bata, pero pwede namang lumaking walang modo at pasaway ang bata kahit nasa paaralan lang sa tingin ko hindi yun sa computer games nasa magulang talaga yun.
Madalas na lamang na manisi tayo ng iba sa kinahihinatnan natin. Nakakalimutan na nating itanong sa ating mga sarili kung may pagkukulang ba tayo. Bagamat ang pagkalulong sa mga larong kompyuter ay isa sa mga dahilan, hindi naman ito ang pinakaugat ng problemang ito. Sa aking opinyon, hindi yun nasa magulang o sa anak, kamag-anak, titser, kaibigan, o kung sino pa man. Nasa sa iyo yun, kung magpapadala ka sa kahinaan mo at hayaang malulong ang iyong sa sarili hindi lang sa mga larong kompyuter kundi sa lahat ng mga masasamang bisyo na iyong maisip.
Hindi masamang maglaro. Hindi rin naman masamang hindi maglaro. Ang masama, ang pagiging adik ng isang tao. Lahat nga naman ng bagay na sobra ay nakakasama. lahat ng bagay na nakakasama ay sobra.
Parang ganun.
Isipin na lang natin na may mga mas malalaking problema pa tayong kinakaharap. Alam kong marami sa inyo ang hindi sasang-ayon sa ilan sa aking mga sinabi, ngunit nais ko po lamang ipabatid ang aking opinyon ukol sa mga bagay na ito.
–
note: isa po akong computer gamer / college student
Hindi lahat na nagbababad sa kompyuter, naglalaro.
tama yun..
Hindi lahat ng nagbababad sa computer ay naglalaro..
By reading all your PoVs I realized that many of us are really concerned about what’s happening in our country. It gives me great joy seeing people still waiting and wanting for our country to progress. I really like your ideas and opinions. There was an unbiased comment here and I really found it a great idea to look into ourselves first and not to blame others for what’s happening to us. We share the same thought and even though I’m still young I understood the grown-ups’ PoVs and find some of them true and applicable in any situation. I hope many blogs such as this will arise sometime later. It’s good to know that there are still some who sees the wrong and tries to make it right.
- a PoV of a 16-year-old college student
sa tingin ko po tama talaga na i-drive natin ang maga interest ng kabataan sa ngayon. Ito po ay para rin sa kabutihan, di lamang ng mga magulang pero para rin sa mga kabataan. hindi naman po ito nangangahulugan na dapat nang patigilin ng pag-gamit ng internet ang mg mga kabataan pero kailangang may resonableng dahilan at limitasyon sa pag-gamit nito… Yun lang po Salamat!!!
I agree. The youth these days seem to have lost touch with their priorities. Of course not excluding myself from them. I think the parents play a big part on driving their child’s interests not because they want to be authoritative but because they want to give him/her a better future.
i just wanted to share my thoughts (again)
!!haloo have a nice day i know what is the problem if you can addict in online game but my i dnt know a cnt control to my self to ploay online game specaily TANTRA!!pls give help me 2 stop my addiction
!!IS true what you see but can you emagine what is the reason why other pepople can addict what they want or what they need !!