The science behind video game addiction
by Matilda C
A videogame is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user or device. You can play with a controller, joystick or keyboard on a screen which can be a tv, monitor or computer. Over two billion people play video games in the world and 3-4% of gamers are addicted. The average age of a gamer is 35 years old, while the average age of a gaming addict is 24 years old. There are two reasons why videogames are known to be addictive: you play repeatedly because of the reward system, and it’s easy to access video games.
The reward system is when the regions of the brain use the neurotransmitter dopamine to communicate. Dopamine-producing neurons in the ventral tegmental area “communicate with neurons in the nucleus accumbens in order to evaluate rewards and motivate us to obtain them” (Brainfacts). It most powerfully influences emotional reactions and memories. All games have leveling up systems. For example, Hay Day. It affects us because we have instincts to improve more and more- so to level up. However, the problem is it’s not real life. Furthermore, some games are designed to not let you complete the level so you keep playing and you get addicted because you start to feel like you need to finish it.
Statistics say that by the age of 11, 84% of teenagers have their own phones, computer or ipad(Npr). As such, it’s easy for all ages to access video games because they just have to turn on their electronic device and play the games while their parents think it’s normal. They could spend up to 9 hours a day on their phone and they can do it because parents don’t know about it (Npr). Sometimes at a restaurant you’ll see a kid who is crying and the mum or the dad just gives him a phone or an ipad to make him stop so that he spends the whole evening watching it.
In conclusion, I think videogame addiction is a big problem nowadays and people don’t realize it.