Topic: Playing online video games is very popular among youngsters. Why are the teens hooked and what are the negative consequences? What should be done about the addiction? Write a letter to the editor telling your views. Sign your letter ‘May Tse’.
Dear Editor,
May I make use of your column to discuss why the video games are so addictive, the impact of the addiction on teenagers and suggest some ways to beat this addiction.
Teens get hooked on video games for numerous reasons. Those who fit into the group of video games addicts often have similar characteristics, including loneliness, low self-esteem and excessive boredom. The games provide an ‘ideal playground’ for those with low self-esteem to create new identities, enabling them to find ‘friends’ anonymously. As a result, sadly though, they feel they can fit in the virtual world of the games rather than in reality.
The build-in reward systems of the games can also explain their addictive nature. By spending hours, or even days playing, the players would get rewards such as virtual money or weapons to move their characters levels up. They become confident and gain satisfaction, which they cannot get in the real world. The reward systems provide players with confidence and satisfaction and hence get them absorbed in the games.
Although online video games pose no direct physical danger, the addictive nature of the games can ruin the mental well-being of players. Continually clocking up over twelve hours a day on the computer, a person would eventually neglect other areas of life. He may grow distant from friends and family, resulting in disruption of friendships and family life.
Also, due to spending nights playing video games, the addicts may fall asleep and cannot concentrate in the classroom, causing slipping grades.
Here are some suggestions for the video game addicts to beat the addiction.
First of all, they need to be mentally prepared for quitting playing the games and turn over a new leaf. They have to admit that being addicted to video games is ruining their lives.
After that, the best solution to cure the addiction is to take away the source of it. Teens should remove all the games from their computer and stop themselves from going back to gaming. Meanwhile, they might make use of the time and keep themselves occupied with a new hobby, something that they actually enjoy doing so that no boredom would drive them back to gaming again.
Rebuilding the social network is also essential to curbing the addiction. They should go out and have fun with friends and family. These satisfy the social need that the games are trying to provide the players with.
However, if the person has been addicted to video games for too long and none of the suggestions seems to work, he should seek professional help and contact a counselor to see what help he or she can offer. The professional can surely assist addicts in dealing with their bad habits and hence help them to get rid of the obsession.
I truly hope those who get the video games addiction can pull themselves out of it and see how much fun the real life can offer, rather than drowning in the virtual hell.
Yours faithfully,
May Tse