Video Games – Amusing or Addictive?

If playing your favourite video game is taking more and more of your time and you don’t like to stop for eating and sleeping, you might benefit from taking a break.  Use our simple checklist to see if your gaming activity is okay, or a little off the charts.

Are you:

- moody or irritable away from the game or when trying to reduce game time?
- thinking about the game when you are involved in other things, like school?
- constantly finding ways to have more game time?
- walking away from life problems to play the game?
- lying to friends and family about how much time you spend on the game?
- putting off sleep?
- skipping meals to play?
- playing for increasing amounts of time?
- finding achievements in the game more exciting than your real life?
- experiencing lower grades?
- arguing with family over gaming?

It’s okay if you have answered yes to a lot of these questions.  You’re already taking a good step towards breaking away from the game just by reading this.  The big thing here is that if you think you are experiencing signs of game addiction, this is real and you need to ask for help.  There are many people who can help you kick the habit.  Start with your parents or your guidance counsellor.

Plus, on your own, you have to make an effort to find excitement in your life instead of through your game console.  Join a sports team, take a buddy out for an afternoon of paintball, or organize a fundraiser for a local charity!  You have the ability to fill your time with exciting and rewarding activities, so do it.

Remember too, that game addiction can be similar to food addiction. You have to learn to live with computers and electronics in your life and not be enticed to go overboard.  This can really require effort on your part, but you can do it!  The game should not have power over you