Addiction to video games

RATHER than playing outdoor games, video game has turned out to be one of the most addictive games nowadays. Noted US clinical psychologist Dr. Nicholas Kardaras has termed addiction to these video games 'Digital drugs'. Even the World Health Organisation has recently decided to term video game addiction a 'gaming disorder' as experts have detected a serious risk of addiction to playing such games.

The experts detected symptoms of addiction when these video games were given higher priority over other regular jobs despite having negative effects. Finally, I would like to mention that anything superfluous is good for nothing. Uncontrolled use of these kind of entertaining materials may cause depression, obsession, frustration and a negative feeling towards life. Especially, our children and students may be the worst victims. Hence, virtual gaming should be strictly controlled and higher priorities should be attached to playing outdoor games on the playground.

Tarek Aziz Bappi

Faculty of Social Science

University of Dhaka

[email protected]