Gaming may be social problem, not an addiction
The head of the Smith & Jones Centre, the first and only clinic that treats "gaming addiction" in Europe, has now said that he believes gaming may not be an addiction after all.
Keith Bakker, the founder of the clinic, is now saying that compulsive gaming behavior may be a social behavior rather than a psychological addiction. Through treating so many of the gamers that have walked through the clinic's doors, Bakker has realized that while the symptoms appear to be addiction, the sources of the problems are on a more social and emotional level
Bakker believes that the success of his clinic now lies in providing compulsive gamers a place where they feel accepted.
"Many of the symptoms they have can be solved by going back to good old fashioned communication," said Bakker.
Bakker is more interested in the inclusion of parents and other caregivers in the video game addiction battle. He believes that it's very important for parents to listen to what their children are saying and provide a supportive atmosphere. Something as simple as these talks can be enough to bring children out of cyberspace and back into the real world.
