Internet Gaming: The Pluses and Minuses

Computer gaming from the view of the impact on brain development, impact of violent and gory graphics on especially the very young, and speculation about what it means as the younger generation learns from gaming what can be called systems literacy.

Based on the different perspectives of today’s guests, Dr. Hilarie Cash, PhD and Neils Clark on Parent Choices for Struggling Teens, the topic “Internet Gaming: The Pluses and Minuses”, allowed for a great debate, some interesting information gathered and just touched the top of the iceberg in this controversial epidemic influencing our kids and young adults these days. 

Neils, as a gaming lecturer at DigiPen, a school for digital game design explained, that games are “systems that are designed to be experienced, in which “grinds” are put in to keep people (gamers) playing for hours; yet also helps people gain systems literacy and taps into the imagination to create worlds and scenarios.” When asked what he would define as game addiction, he felt it was ‘akin to compulsion’ and it was crucial for parents to monitor their kids (through their developmental stages) on the time/kind and content of the games their children play and warns parents that ‘games are not babysitters’.

On the flip side of the coin, Hilarie, the co-founder of reStart: Internet Addiction Recovery Program stressed, that “all good things in excess can become a problem”. When broached about the ‘dark side’ of internet gaming, Hilarie explained that when used in moderation, it can be beneficial, but when it tips over into addiction, it can create a whole host of problems, especially in children. “All addictions take at least 2 years for the brain to re-wire itself back to normal, and for young children who have overindulged in gaming, it is very difficult to go back to normal, because they do not have a frame of reference to what is normal.”

When Lon brought up the concern and number one objection to these games as the violence and gore, Hilarie was quick to explain that children exposed to these kinds of games are traumatized and with additional exposure, will desensitize and disassociate from the feelings and gore of the games. Neils, once again reiterated that parents need to monitor their child’s exposure and time limits on gaming,

To listen to the full interview on Internet Gaming: The Pluses and Minuses go to   http://www.latalkradio.com/Players/Lon-041612.shtml   LATalkRadio at http://www.latalkradio.com.

Lon Woodbury is the owner/founder of Woodbury Reports Inc. and www.strugglingteens.com. He has worked with families and struggling teens since 1984 and is the host of Parent Choices for Struggling Teenson LATalkRadioMondays at 12:00pm, Pacific Time, Channel One.

Dr. Hilarie Cash, PhDis the co-founder and partner of reStart: Internet Addiction Recovery Program and the co-author of “Video Games and Your Kids: How Parents Stay in Control”. Hilarie started specializing in Internet and video game addiction in the 90’s and started an outpatient clinic- Internet/Computer Addiction Services, in 1999.

Neils Clarkis a lecturer at DigiPen, a top ranked game design school and is the co-author of “Game Addiction”. He is currently working on a new book that is based on the “games culture”.

Woodbury Reportswas founded in November 1989, by Lon Woodbury, MA, IECA, CEP, as an Independent Educational Consulting firm to help parents of teens making poor decisions select a private, parent choice program that would help return the family to normalcy.  Through interviews with parents, communication with professionals who know your child well, and then thoroughly researching viable options, we can help parents make the right choices that will help your child get back on the right path.  For more information about Woodbury Reports Inc., call 208-267-5550, or email to [email protected], or visit the web site www.strugglingteens.com.