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Can Online Gaming Be Dangerous?

In every generation something is considered dangerous and the corruption of youth. Every form of entertainment from books, television and even music has been blamed for damaging the minds of children. Now the debate comes in the form of computer games. Online gaming has become more popular over the past few years and with an increase in popularity comes an increase in the worry of parents everywhere. One concern about online gaming is whether it can be addictive.

If you want to look at life in general, anything can be addictive to certain people. Some people become addicted to alcohol, drugs, collecting objects or animals. There are a variety of reasons for addiction and obsessive disorders, but there are resources for those who are may find themselves addicted to online gaming. The site On-line Gamers Anonymous is described as a “self-help fellowship” bringing people together to form support groups. On the University of California Berkley site there is a project called Unhealthy Gaming Habits and Addiction. This project covers the basics of addiction and takes the reader through interviews, possible solutions, a self-test and links to additional resources.

Children are not the only ones at risk for addiction to online gaming. Online gambling in adults has become a major focus recently. Often families are torn apart as individuals spend entire paychecks on gambling addictions. Online resources have made it even easier for a gambler to feed their addiction. There are a variety of resources for gambling addiction and a simple search can pull up sites on national or local levels.

If you feel that you or a person you know has an addiction to gaming it is important to talk to the individual. If a person is causing harm to themselves or to others it may be necessary to call for professional help. Research your area to determine what organizations are local to assist with addictive behaviors. The hardest part for an individual will be to admit that they need help. Support and understanding are very important in resolving addictive gaming behaviors.

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Sports Betting is no longer for my dad

Tambo valley races 2006
Image via Wikipedia

I still remember when I was a kid, I used to go to horse racing tracks with my father and we used to spent whole day there until all the race events were finished. My dad was passionate about horse races and I never saw him missing any horse race event. When I grew up a little and started understanding things I found that my dad’s love was not just limited to seeing and enjoying the horse races but he used to bet on different horses at different times.

My dad was very lucky in terms of betting as most of his predictions used to be true and he used to win huge amounts in his betting.  It would have hardly happened that my dad would have bet on any horse and that did not win the race. I think that my dad is blessed being so accurate in his guesses and that is why he used to earn a lot whenever he bet.

It’s been ages that I had gone to a horse race with my dad.  My dad still goes to horse races and enjoys betting and winning. I’ve always appreciated my dad for his unique talent and I always wished that I could participate in the betting and try my luck but could never accomplished my dream due to my hectic life style until I found out from my friend that there are several sports betting sites on the web that let people place their bets online. I was so curios to find out about such sites that I started googling straight away and found many sites that let people place their bets online. Now I keep visiting the betting sites from time to time to place bets not only on horse races but on other sports events as well. Like my dad, I also win most of the time! Internet has made it easier to bet and to earn some good money without disturbing my routine.

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Can Playing PC Games Become Addictive?

Nearly everyone that owns a computer enjoys playing a PC game every so often. Some enjoy it so much that it becomes an obsession, which of course is not healthy. Many that play PC games can easily become addicted, especially children. Playing a PC game can be fun entertainment for a child and can even be educational, but parents need to be aware of how long a child is spending on the computer and monitor the situation if it seems to be getting out of control.

One sign that a child may be becoming addicted to PC games is that they no longer take interest in outside activities such as playing sports or simply spending time with their friends. As stated, playing a game on a personal computer can help teach a child many things, including better hand/eye coordination, but the human body also needs fresh air, sunshine and exercise to stay healthy.

Children that become addicted to gaming may become loners. Their social life will become more limited. Health problems may even occur if too much time is spent on the computer. Problems with socialization skills may develop because the child is losing contact with other children. A lack of sleep is a common problem. Eyesight can be affected, and obesity may become a problem because the child isn’t getting the proper amount of physical exercise. These problems rarely occur, but are truly possible if a child becomes addicted to playing games on the computer.

If a parent thinks their child is spending too much time on the computer, then they probably are. Unfortunately, some parents use video and computer games as a babysitter. For concerned parents, a child’s addiction to playing computer games can be quite scary. One tip to help break the addiction it to slowly start lowering the amount of time that the child is allowed to plays games. Doing parent/child activities together can help lure the child’s interest away from gaming.

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The Lure of Online Gaming

Do yu love to spend hour after hour in front of your computer playing through the latest online game? Then you may be one of many who have become addicted to online games, which have grown to become a major part of the online world. Gaming has come a long way since Dungeons and Dragons was first introduced. Role playing here was done the old fashioned way, but in the last few decades this has evolved into realistic, role playing worlds online that many people get lost in. Many have played the popular and early online games of Everquest and Ultima Online. As graphics technology and computer speed has grown, players can now begin to work with three-dimensional graphics that are incredibly realistic.

This, when added with a compelling storyline, makes it easy for many to get “lost” in this virtual world. These games also serve another element: a social one. Within the online game world, players can interact with each other via characters, either playing the game already as set out by the designers or having to create parts of their own story as they go. For some people, this kind of online interaction replaces real world socialization to a large degree. As they start to play, many people become so engrossed that the time they spend online increases each day, to where it becomes their primary activity.

These games are often affordable to play, as many services simply charge a small fee per month in order to be involved. If the person has the right hardware, they can afford to play as long as the subscription is kept current. The lure of online gaming can also be an easy escape from difficulties in life and frustrations with school or work. Many struggle to find the happy medium between keeping it a game and losing themselves in an obcession.

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Signs That You May be Addicted to Online Gaming

There are thousands of people each day that sign in online to take part in the numerous role playing games that are available. Many play for an hour or two, then sign off, while others play for hours. This can get to the point where it becomes their primary activity for a number of reasons. It may be to escape problems in real life, to get the socialization they lack or they simply cannot stop playing. When you have hit the point where the game becomes your life, you may be addicted to online gaming. Recognizing the signs can help you to know when to get help.

One of the first signs that you will notice is that you cannot stop playing, you just want to keep going. If you do happen to be away from your computer, you feel an inner urge to get back on for increased periods of time. This means you are not signing on for simply an hour or two at a time, but may be online for hours at a stretch. You may even be playing through the night. At first, you may be able to hide your extended hours of play, but as the addiction grows this becomes harder and harder. As time on the computer takes more precedence, you may begin to spend less and less time with family and friends. When they notice changes, you may lie to them about your daily activities.

Other problems include changes in your sleep pattern, having irritability or sadness when not at the computer and issues with school work or with your job. Your personal appearance may also suffer, as some people stop taking care of their hygiene, your eyes may be dry and you could have repetitive motion injuries beginning from extended hours of play. These are sure signs that the problem is out of hand, and you need to seek help.

Filed Under: Addiction, Gaming Consoles, Technology Tagged With: , ,

Why do People Become Addicted to Online Gaming?

Online gaming, over the last two decades, has become one of the most alluring areas on the Internet for people to delve into. Using the latest technology, game designers can create a realistic world where people can take on a different role and walk through a virtual environment, socializing with others doing the same. Many enjoy these games for a temporary diversion or break from the real world, walking away after a short time period. There are others, though, that cannot walk away from the game and it begins to become the dominant activity in their life.

The question of why an individual would become addicted to online gaming has been studied within the scientific community. It often comes down to the basic issue of socialization, especially with teenagers who are having a hard time fitting in at school. They may suffer from decreased self-esteem and may have problems developing their own self identity. When they enter an online gaming community and assume the role of a character, they find some satisfaction in that role that they lack in their real-life. These individuals may also find interacting with other people online easier than with their peers in real life. When they become successful in the game and in their online interactions, this world becomes preferable to the real one.

Others may get addicted through the drive to achieve in the game, by getting to the next level or getting the highest score. These games have the characteristic of going on endlessly, allowing the individual to keep playing no matter what. The addiction may start small, but over time grows as the person increases the amount of time that he or she spends online. These are just some of the primary reasons that some people find this type of gaming so addictive, and get to the point where they need to seek help.

Filed Under: Addiction, Computer Games, Technology Tagged With: , ,
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