NIMF Study claims 1 in 12 children is addicted to games

[Etoh*the*Greato]

Via Game Politics.

A new joint study out of the University of Iowa with The National Institute for Media and the Family has been released claiming that 8.5% of children between the ages of 8 and 18 may show signs of "pathological video game use," citing that addiction is not quite the proper term for it.

Using a repurposed study on gambling addiction in adults, the study concluded that good signs include

• Lying to family and friends about video game usage
• Using video games to escape from problems or bad feelings
• Becoming restless or irritable when attempting to stop playing video games
• Skipping homework in order to play video games
• Doing poorly on a school assignment or test because they spent too much time on games.

Meanwhile Dr. Olsen, co-writer of Grand Theft Childhood, has made a few comments on the study.

[quote="Dr. Cheryl Olson"] The concern here is labeling normal childhood behaviors as "pathological" and "addicted." The author [Iowa State University's Prof. Douglas Gentile] is repurposing questions used to assess problem gambling in adults]

[SIZE="2"]Quote source Game Politics.[/SIZE]

[Midori]

I heard on the radio this morning that it was 1 in 10 children. Ah well, the precise numbers aren't important.

I used to be addicted to video games when I was younger, though I eventually grew out of it. Parents are advised to ration the video game playing time of their children, or temporarily suspend video game privileges when it becomes a problem.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

I'm a firm believer in empowered firm parenting. Be a parent who knows what your kids like and what they do so you can take control when you need to.

[Mithrandir]

My father basically threw me out of the house when I started pounding on the computer table in frustration. I've always done that.

[Nate]

•]
Not a sign of addiction, otherwise when a kid lied about eating a cookie it would mean he was addicted to cookies.

• Using video games to escape from problems or bad feelings

Not a sign of addiction. But hey, why bother trying to find the root of problems or figure out why a kid feels the need to escape from their life. Just blame video games. It's easier than talking to them!

• Becoming restless or irritable when attempting to stop playing video games

So when an adult becomes restless or irritable because they have to leave the beach on vacation to go back home, it means they're addicted to the beach? I never knew this!

• Skipping homework in order to play video games

PFFFFTT oh yeah, because kids TOTALLY NEVER find any excuse at all to not do homework. Nope, all kids LOVE doing homework and would never do anything else except that!

• Doing poorly on a school assignment or test because they spent too much time on games.

Same as the last point.

The problem is that liking to play video games does not equate to addiction. You could take out video games and replace it with any other thing and it would sound silly to call it an addiction. For example:

If kids skip homework to hang out with friends, or become restless or irritable when you won't let them hang out with friends, or lie to you about them hanging out with friends, then they must be addicted to hanging out with friends!

See? Doesn't that sound moronic? Just like the people who did this study!

Parents need to set boundaries for their kids as far as playing games goes. Parents need to make sure their kids don't play video games to the exclusion of schoolwork and other activities. However, as I said before, just because a kid really likes playing games does NOT make it an addiction.

However, if your kid isn't eating or sleeping (and when I say this I mean for like days at a time, not for one day) because they play so many video games, THEN you might have an addiction on your hands.

[ich1990]

If kids skip homework to hang out with friends, or become restless or irritable when you won't let them hang out with friends, or lie to you about them hanging out with friends, then they must be addicted to hanging out with friends!

You seem to have gotten the impression that the criteria for addiction that is used in this study is universal. I do not think that is what this study is suggesting.

I am sure that those who designed the criteria, for instance, would agree with you that their criteria is not applicable for a "hanging out with friends" addict, but that does not necessarily invalidate their criteria for the purposes of labeling video game addicts.

Different addictions would probably require a different criteria for classifying them.

[Nate]

Actually that's untrue, from a medical perspective a term like that requires one definition for any activity, regardless of what it is. I take this from the Society for the Study of Addiction:

Integration of addiction into the theory and practice of psychiatry has been hampered by the lack of a definition of addiction which is scientifically useful. A definition is proposed, with diagnostic criteria specified in a format similar to that of DSM-III-R. Essentially, addiction designates a process whereby a behavior, that can function both to produce pleasure and to provide escape from internal discomfort, is employed in a pattern characterized by (1) recurrent failure to control the behaviour (powerlessness) and (2) continuation of the behaviour despite significant negative consequences (unmanageability).

The NIMF study does not meet either of these criteria (just because a kid likes playing games and ignores homework does not constitute powerlessness, and if a parent is present the second shouldn't be an issue because the parents should be managing it, besides, low grades isn't a significant negative consequence, if it was my life would be destroyed because my school grades were pathetic).

By the way, an advisor to the American Psychological Association says the study has weaknesses, saying "The research should be replicated because it is supported by the National Institute for Media and the Family, which he likens to a lobbying group. And the survey could have found higher game use because it was collected in January as opposed to summer. It also classifies 8.5% as addicted without a physician interview: 'The people they are claiming have a problem, it's not entirely clear that they do have a problem.'"

When the APA has a problem with your study, that's a sign that it's probably an invalid study.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

Nate, I love you man.

[animaniac]

Not a sign of addiction, otherwise when a kid lied about eating a cookie it would mean he was addicted to cookies.

Not a sign of addiction. But hey, why bother trying to find the root of problems or figure out why a kid feels the need to escape from their life. Just blame video games. It's easier than talking to them!

So when an adult becomes restless or irritable because they have to leave the beach on vacation to go back home, it means they're addicted to the beach? I never knew this!

PFFFFTT oh yeah, because kids TOTALLY NEVER find any excuse at all to not do homework. Nope, all kids LOVE doing homework and would never do anything else except that!

Same as the last point.

The problem is that liking to play video games does not equate to addiction. You could take out video games and replace it with any other thing and it would sound silly to call it an addiction. For example:

If kids skip homework to hang out with friends, or become restless or irritable when you won't let them hang out with friends, or lie to you about them hanging out with friends, then they must be addicted to hanging out with friends!

See? Doesn't that sound moronic? Just like the people who did this study!

Parents need to set boundaries for their kids as far as playing games goes. Parents need to make sure their kids don't play video games to the exclusion of schoolwork and other activities. However, as I said before, just because a kid really likes playing games does NOT make it an addiction.

However, if your kid isn't eating or sleeping (and when I say this I mean for like days at a time, not for one day) because they play so many video games, THEN you might have an addiction on your hands.

i feel the need tro high five you.....

[Scarecrow]

I'm not gonna say I agree with it or I think it's completely accurate however, I do agree about the first 3 signs. Not that it means that they actually addicted, but it should be looked into and not just cast aside as nothings wrong.

• Lying to family and friends about video game usage

Most definitely could be a sign of addiction. The cookie thing here is totally different. You lie about eating a cookie cause you don't wanna get caught. If you're lying about the amount of time you play video games, the person may be ashamed of the amount of time he's been playing. He doesn't want to appear to have no life and may not like the fact that he plays so much himself that he lies regarding how much time he spends on it.

• Using video games to escape from problems or bad feelings

Most definitely could be a sign of addiction as well... of course no one is gonna figure this out if they have no problem with the amount of time he spends on it. The only person who would know this is the person himself.

• Becoming restless or irritable when attempting to stop playing video games

Really good sign he's addicted. Especially if the other 2 are prominent as well. Of course this is another sign most people I don't think will notice. Especially if they see excessive game playing as no big deal. The person himself will notice and that will likely make him more frustrated by knowing the fact and eventually gets back on the games to escape his frustrations with himself.

• Skipping homework in order to play video games
• Doing poorly on a school assignment or test because they spent too much time on games.

These last two I would not say is a sign of addiction at all. These both happen when kids just like playing video games as well as just about anything else they can come up with or find a way to slack off. Though if a person is addicted these may be a cause but I wouldn't even suggest it as a sign at all.

The first 3 I very much agree with though. Doesn't mean they are... but could be. And they know themselves unless they are in denial. And if they are addicted, video games are not the problem. The addiction is not the problem. There is probably something much, much deeper. Anyone adult genuinely addicted to games IMO should be talking to a therapist or something and not because they have a video game addiction.

So ya, I wouldn't be so quick to scoff at least those first 3 signs...

That doesn't mean the games are the problem and that doesn't mean I think this study is valid but ya... If I ever have kids I will definitely be paying attention. In fact I don't even think I would buy them a system till they have a very active life outside of video games/computers. My parents did not care at all how much my brothers played and did not make really any attempt to get us in outside activities. I will not make the same mistake. One brother is very much a video game bum. 24 and still no job, lives at home, and is on the systems all hours he's awake. I'm very much aware of my own problems regarding computer addiction and even considered taking this mac book and smashing it out on the pavement. I have a job working 12 hours a day so that keeps me busy but on weekends its very hard to keep my fist from going through the wall if I'm not on the computer. In fact the chair I'm sitting on is kind of smashed/bent cause I slammed it in floor.

The addiction though is not the problem though and I think it's stupid people blame the video games...

[blkmage]

• Lying to family and friends about video game usage

Most definitely could be a sign of addiction. The cookie thing here is totally different. You lie about eating a cookie cause you don't wanna get caught. If you're lying about the amount of time you play video games, the person may be ashamed of the amount of time he's been playing. He doesn't want to appear to have no life and may not like the fact that he plays so much himself that he lies regarding how much time he spends on it.

This has nothing to do with addiction and more to do with social stigma. Does a kid lie to their friends about the amount of time they spend reading and doing math because they're addicted, or is it because they'd look like a gigantic nerd?

• Using video games to escape from problems or bad feelings

Most definitely could be a sign of addiction as well... of course no one is gonna figure this out if they have no problem with the amount of time he spends on it. The only person who would know this is the person himself.

Again, just replace gaming with some other way to escape. Reading works pretty well, or sports. Argument falls apart fairly neatly.

The problem with these criteria isn't that they're necessarily wrong. Sure, they could be signs of addiction, but they're so broad, you could infer almost anything from them. It's like if I had a really bad cough. It could be a sign of lung cancer or tuberculosis. Or it might be something harmless. Without any other information, it's pointless to be worried that lying might mean addiction or coughing might mean lung cancer.

[ich1990]

The NIMF study does not meet either of these criteria (just because a kid likes playing games and ignores homework does not constitute powerlessness, and if a parent is present the second shouldn't be an issue because the parents should be managing it, besides, low grades isn't a significant negative consequence, if it was my life would be destroyed because my school grades were pathetic).

Right, which is why I said that the criteria that they used for determining addict behavior was not universal. They seem to have come up with their own criteria which is specially geared towards video game addictions (or so they think). Applying that criteria to other addictions therefore does not destroy their argument. Of course, by not going with a more accepted criteria (such as the Society for Study of Addiction's) their statistics do not prove a whole lot either.

When the APA has a problem with your study, that's a sign that it's probably an invalid study.

I never claimed it was a valid study. That being said, I know several people who are addicted to video games. Not 1 in 12, but too many.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

It should be pointed out that their criterion and testing methods were derived from gambling studies for adults.

[Nate]

Applying that criteria to other addictions therefore does not destroy their argument.

Er, actually, it destroys their argument completely. If they use criteria that do not determine addiction to prove addiction, that's nonsensical.

If I was at the zoo with a child and said "Lions are reptiles because my car is red," that would be a nonsense statement. What does my car have to do with a lion being a reptile in the first place? And even if a lion WAS a reptile (which it is not) how would my car being red have any effect on that?

The point is the color of my car is not a criterion for the classification of animals. Similarly, lying about game playing, skipping homework, and being annoyed at having to stop playing are not criteria for the classification of video game addiction.

Again, the fact that I could substitute "reading" or "listening to music" for "playing video games" in the study and have it be ridiculous is proof enough that their study makes no sense from the get-go.

That being said, I know several people who are addicted to video games. Not 1 in 12, but too many.

Oh certainly game addiction exists, I don't deny that. And it's definitely a serious problem, any addiction is. Just that the NIMF study doesn't prove anything except that they don't know how to do studies.

Does a kid lie to their friends about the amount of time they spend reading and doing math because they're addicted, or is it because they'd look like a gigantic nerd?

My response to Scarecrow about the lying about games part, is simply this. Blkmage put it more eloquently than I ever could. One time I stayed up until 3 AM playing D&D with friends, and lied about what I did to some people the next day. Is it because I was addicted to D&D? No, we only played once a week or so. It's because if I had told the truth they'd be like "Man you're such a pathetic geek." My lying had nothing to do with being addicted. Gaming is much the same.

•]
So if a girl is reading Twilight and her mom says "Come down and do the dishes" and the girl gets mad because she wants to read the book, then that means she's addicted to reading?

News flash: People get upset when they are told to not do something they like doing. This is not a sign of addiction in the least.

By the way yesterday I was about to eat a sandwich and I got a phone call and I was restless and irritated the whole time I was talking because I wanted to eat that sandwich. Guess I'm addicted to eating.

Nate, I love you man.

I love you too, man.

But you're still not getting my Bud Light.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

Dangit!

[ich1990]

If I was at the zoo with a child and said "Lions are reptiles because my car is red," that would be a nonsense statement. What does my car have to do with a lion being a reptile in the first place? And even if a lion WAS a reptile (which it is not) how would my car being red have any effect on that?

The point is the color of my car is not a criterion for the classification of animals. Similarly, lying about game playing, skipping homework, and being annoyed at having to stop playing are not criteria for the classification of video game addiction.

This is essentially what I was trying to say. What do cookies or sandwiches or hanging out with friends have to do with video game addiction?

[Midori]

• Becoming restless or irritable when attempting to stop playing video games

I think this is the only usable indicator of addiction to video games in this list, though even it doesn't work well by itself. The best way to assess this is by watching them playing and stopping and seeing if their behavior seems addictive. It can't easily be put to objective tests like these. As someone who has been addicted to video games in the past, I can say that it's definitely possible to tell. Being addicted to video games is not pleasant. It made me extremely angry when I had to stop, even when (especially when) the video game itself was not entertaining me. I felt like I was "justified" in my desire to keep playing, though I couldn't find a reason for it. It doesn't feel like plain irritation of being unable to do what you want.

Here's a new list of possible signs made by yours truly:
• Becoming excessively irritable or enraged when attempting to stop playing video games
• Obsessively playing video games that aren't actually entertaining or challenging
• Lack of interest in any other recreational activities
• Change of personality during or after video game playing

Please discuss and criticize.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Not a sign of addiction, otherwise when a kid lied about eating a cookie it would mean he was addicted to cookies.

Not a sign of addiction. But hey, why bother trying to find the root of problems or figure out why a kid feels the need to escape from their life. Just blame video games. It's easier than talking to them!

So when an adult becomes restless or irritable because they have to leave the beach on vacation to go back home, it means they're addicted to the beach? I never knew this!

PFFFFTT oh yeah, because kids TOTALLY NEVER find any excuse at all to not do homework. Nope, all kids LOVE doing homework and would never do anything else except that!

Same as the last point.

Typical Nate and his black and white thinking.

Addictions are not just "one set of criteria". Nobody is schizophrenic for just having one out of the x amount of required diagnostic criteria to be schizophrenic, but a certain number need to be met. These are simply signs for parents to look out for, especially if it is consistent with their behavior.

Also, if the majority of the criteria listed by the NIMF fits a child, further investigation on that child is needed. It doesn't mean that the child has a addiction, but has a higher propensity to an addiction.

The problem is that liking to play video games does not equate to addiction. You could take out video games and replace it with any other thing and it would sound silly to call it an addiction. For example:

If kids skip homework to hang out with friends, or become restless or irritable when you won't let them hang out with friends, or lie to you about them hanging out with friends, then they must be addicted to hanging out with friends!

See? Doesn't that sound moronic? Just like the people who did this study!

Parents need to set boundaries for their kids as far as playing games goes. Parents need to make sure their kids don't play video games to the exclusion of schoolwork and other activities. However, as I said before, just because a kid really likes playing games does NOT make it an addiction.

However, if your kid isn't eating or sleeping (and when I say this I mean for like days at a time, not for one day) because they play so many video games, THEN you might have an addiction on your hands.

The NIMF isn't claiming that enjoying videogames = addiction to video games. It's listing a list of criteria if the majority are met, then the likelihood of addiction is high; hence why it says "Good Signs", not "Etiology or Causational Factor".

Or maybe you're just in denial because you fit all these possible signs. =p

[Cognitive Gear]

[quote="Mr. SmartyPants (post: 1306386)"]
Addictions are not just "one set of criteria". Nobody is schizophrenic for just having one out of the x amount of required diagnostic criteria to be schizophrenic, but a certain number need to be met. These are simply signs for parents to look out for, especially if it is consistent with their behavior.

Also, if the majority of the criteria listed by the NIMF fits a child, further investigation on that child is needed. It doesn't mean that the child has a addiction, but has a higher propensity to an addiction.

The NIMF isn't claiming that enjoying videogames = addiction to video games. It's listing a list of criteria if the majority are met, then the likelihood of addiction is high]

While what most of what you said is true, it doesn't change the fact that the study is a bit flawed to begin with.

[quote]The survey included several scales, including the previously mentioned 11-item pathological-gaming scale based on the DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling. Because there is no clear standard for how to measure pathological gaming or how to score symptom checklists of pathological gaming, participants were allowed to respond “yes,â€

[Fish and Chips]

Or maybe you're just in denial because you fit all these possible signs. =p

Am I going to have to have Peanut hurt you again?

Addiction is generally defined as compulsive repetitive behavior (usually in a negative tone, but not always), mixed with an inability to stop or recognize the effects on one's self. Of all the criteria listed, only "Restless or irritable" remotely covers this, and really only if expanded to outright aggressive behavior. The rest are all just signs of regular adolescence priorities.

[Nate]

•]
This, I would say, is a good indicator of addiction. Becoming restless or irritable is not. As I said before, people get upset when they're forced to not do something they want to do. However, becoming outright agressive or violent when they're told to stop, THAT would be a good sign of addiction.

Addictions are not just "one set of criteria".

You know for a guy who likes to vomit out psychological crap from the DSM you missed that one part of the post where the Society for the Study of Addiction IS trying to get one set of criteria put in there. If I may repost what I posted earlier,

A definition is proposed, with diagnostic criteria specified in a format similar to that of DSM-III-R. Essentially, addiction designates a process whereby a behavior, that can function both to produce pleasure and to provide escape from internal discomfort, is employed in a pattern characterized by (1) recurrent failure to control the behaviour (powerlessness) and (2) continuation of the behaviour despite significant negative consequences (unmanageability).

And the criteria this study put forth does not fit either of those definitions.

Besides, as someone who claims to want to be a psych you seriously didn't see any problems with this study? Need to go back to Psych 101 man. An institute with an axe to grind against video games made this study and then made sensational claims. This is the equivalent of R.J. Reynolds releasing a study that says "Guys cigarette smoking actually lengthens your life!" Any reasonable person would say "Wait, maybe this is a biased study."

[uc pseudonym]

This discussion is interesting and I don't want to run around dousing everyone with water as if we live in mortal fear of a flame war. But just a general reminder to keep things civil and try to avoid personal judgments when you're responding to someone's argument.

Everyone is a friend here. This is a Safe Place. Hugs all around.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

This study is flawed, and their criteria is poor.

Nowhere did I say that their research methodology wasn't flawed. As what the Doctor quoted in the OP said, it would be a mistake to use adult criteria on children, especially that it's harder to monitor a child's thoughts when it comes to their behaviors.

I simply said that the more of NIMF's criteria was met, the higher the likelihood, as those with addictions would likely fit the "criteria" (note that I'm not saying that the inverse would be true). I recognize many of them are simply children tendencies, but I'm inclined to say that children who fit all or most of the "criteria" have a greater chance to being addicted to video games. Someone who fits all of the signs could very well not be addicted to video games, but I think it may be more likely that they are than not]An institute with an axe to grind against video games made this study and then made sensational claims.[/QUOTE]
To be somewhat fair, I mistook the OP's thread as a study from the NIMH, not the NIMF. If I realized it was the NIMF and that they have a track record with the entertainment industry, I would have been more likely to try and scrutinize their findings (not the say that the NIMH isn't a flawed institute). That and me making personal jabs was out of line.

[GundamFan]

Here is an example of NIMF extreme craziness back in 2005 they claimed that if the game Stubbs the Zombie was released we would have a massive outbreak of kids trying cannibalize each other. The game was released back in 2005 were still waiting for huge cannibalism outbreak amongst american youth. Also if you read some of there stuff you quickly realize they are operating under the false assumption that gaming is still just for kids.

[Htom Sirveaux]

It seems to me that the criteria presented here hints more at habit than full-blown addiction. It also seems to fish out little flaws, things that any kid would do, and put an easy face to the reason for the child's behavior.

In other words, it was drawn up by a bunch of cranky moms who are sick of their kids wasting time with their darn X-60-thingies and their Wees and wish they'd go mow the lawn already.

[Nate]

As closure to this thread, I present The Onion's recent "American Voices" section.

The May edition of the journal Psychological Science contains a study that says 8.5 percent of young gamers play so much that it interferes with their schoolwork and may cause health problems. What do you think?

Robert Brooks,
Systems Analyst
"You should see the lot behind that convenience store, full of dead-eyed kids playing the cheapest Tetris they can get their hands on."

Miriam Robinson,
Laboratory Worker
"I find it helps to keep the kids' computer in the living room, where I entertain suitors of dubious intent."

Henry Lee,
Belt Cutter
“Perhaps schools should try a scared-straight program in which the children hear the horrifying tales of video-game addiction from a real-life sickly looking thirtysomething.”

[Dante]

I was addicted to video games... and yeah I could feel withdrawal systems when I had to stop playing them cold turkey... It was rough. I have no games up here where I live...I am very dissapointed in this, life should have enough room to do great things and imagine great things as well... but sadly that is now how the cookie crumbles in our massive world... I do get to take pictures of bugs though... but I've gotten fatter too... so I guess video games were good for my health?!

[Reon]

The following is useless to read. If you wish to waste your time reading it, be my guest.
[color="Gray"]Hello. My name is Ryan and I was once addicted to video games. I have noticed many withdrawal systems in the process. In fact, I had made a vow to God after I become a Christian that I would no longer player video games when alone. Although I regret making that vow it has definitely been influential to my life and helped me. Today and even yesterday I would have loved to have downloaded an MMO to have some fun on. Its a strange urge that I could never truly satisfy no matter how much I ran after it. After being at a friends house for three days where all four of his brothers ranging from 1st grade to college were playing video games it made me actually miss playing. Since the vow I made with God I can still play with friends which I have done ("in a social environment, not playing with them over the web). Its no where near as satisfying and I actually get quickly bored or sick of playing. Since I've completely cut them out of my life I have been more productive, not an insane amount, but better. I've noticed I've filled it with many things to meet my creative side, this website was one of those things. After taking psychology and doing studies on video games as well as playing the majority of my life and being on a clan on Socom II that got to first on gamebattles, I've noticed what it does to my life. The time I invested into video games was wasted, I plan not to make that mistake again. As foolish as it was to make that vow, I think I had finally realized how much it was hurting me and knew I wouldn't make an exception from what I told God. Playing with friends is more than enough room to play video games. Ok, im tired - nap time. (pfffft not)
Sincerely
The guy who played to many video games[/color]