Teenage depression is a silent epidemic that is spreading through our increasingly complicated and fast-paced society. The average age of the onset of depression is now fourteen-and-a-half years of age…..and it is mostly boys.
Is it any wonder that so many of them choose to inhabit the risk-free world of computer games. I am not talking about those violent, savage games such as Grand Theft Auto but of the mythical, charming world of Final Fantasy.
Yes, they are fascinating, compelling and a haven for so many stressed-out teenagers. But are the safe. In the direct sense; yes. But they have an insidious quality which makes them a very real danger for our kids. In the end, many of our youngster prefer the virtual world to the real one….and that has very many dangerous implications.
At 8.OOpm on ITV’s Tonight I revisit three boys I interviewed three years ago about their computer game addiction. I wanted to see if they were off their drug of choice and working their way back to the real world. Two have made good progress but a third is still deeply immersed in his struggle.
This report has particular relevance to me since my own son developed a compulsion for computer gaming while I was making the original film. He has turned a corner…..but it has been a long and tiring three years…for him and for the rest of our family.
We under-estimate the lure of these games at our peril. The challenge now is to connect with our teenagers and make every effort to make real life a safe place to be.
Tags: Add new tag, ITV
Friday, 25 September 2009 at 15:45
3 Responses to “Virtually Addicted”
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Our care homes are under the spotlight. Now,more than ever, we need to be vigilant over the care of our disabled and elderly people. Don’t complain about the dark when you can light a candle/
06/06/2011 09:36
W.H
Half truth’s and one sided, self control is the issue here not the games.
Sheila Eaton
Dear Linda,
we at the National Council of Women Great Britain are greatly concerned about the effects of computer games on children. Our Media Committee are investigating this and plan a resolution for our conference in October - this will then go to Government Ministers, PM and Oposition Leaders. It will have high profile within our organisation and among over 40 of our affiliate organisations.
At the Triennial International Council of Women Conference in South Africa last October, New Zealand proposed a resolution on the ‘Sexualisation of Children’
which was passed unanimously. They had run a campaign on this in NZ because of suggestive comments on infants tee shirts.
This campaign was taken up by politicians etc and has had a hugh impact there.
We could also make a difference on what is presented to young minds,not only in computer games, but also magazines.Our children’s well being is more important than money.
Some Person
Maybe some of this is right, but if the parents actually listen to the child in the first place this won’t even happen.
Like…while the child is on these games, wheres the parent? smoking? not caring what there child is doing? Its not even the childs fault at all its infact the parents. Children are getting depressed? well if you had such good supportive parents they should spot this unlike most. All this is just crazy it dosn’t need ‘experts’ to hit the facts about this its all common sence..