Is Esports Gaming Addictive? | Advice for Parents and Gamers
Video game addiction has long been a concern for parents. Many households have had access to gaming consoles for many years now. Is Esports Gaming Addictive; what is some advice for parents and gamers? In the past, the worry for parents was that children were simply spending too many hours in front of a television screen or monitor. However, the advent of high-speed internet connectivity and online gaming has made video game addiction even more of an issue.
Defining Gaming Addiction
Video games have been around for many decades, but it’s only fairly recently that research has been undertaken into how addictive they truly are. When defining gaming disorders, general addiction criteria can be applied. For parents, these telltale signals are useful in identifying problem telltale behaviors before they become a more serious problem.
Generally speaking, gaming addiction can be defined by any gaming behavior that exhibits impaired control. Those suffering from gaming addiction will almost always prioritize gaming over other daily activities. In many cases, daily routines and social activities will be relegated in favor of pursuing gaming.
Why is Gaming Addiction on the Rise?
It’s estimated that as many as 4% of gamers are addicted to video games. Young people are disproportionately affected by video game addiction, with approximately 8.5% of those aged between 8 and 18 suffering from some form of gaming addiction disorder.
The rise in addiction statistics can largely be attributed to the internet and the advent of social gaming. The gameplay mechanics of MMORPGs are known to trigger addictive behaviors in players. In fact, as many as half of all MMORPG players might be classed as addicted. MMORPGs have immersive in-game worlds, with major events occurring even if a player isn’t present. The feeling of missing out can be too much for a player to bear, forcing them to sacrifice real-world commitments in order to engage with virtual ones.
For many players, online gaming isn’t simply a form of escapism. They may use gaming to create and foster virtual relationships with fellow players. The validity of these relationships shouldn’t be dismissed and they can certainly help bolster self-esteem. However, problems arise when these relationships take precedence over connections with friends and family in the real world.
Esports and Gaming Addiction
When it comes to esports, identifying addictive behavior becomes trickier. Anyone aiming to pursue a career in esports will need to put considerable time and effort into honing their craft. Professional esports players need to train for several hours a day to perfect their skills. Those looking to secure a sponsor or a spot on a pro-level team will undoubtedly have to commit even more time to train.
Parents of aspiring esports stars will need to be more vigilant when it comes to policing playing behavior. An easy way to determine whether or not a child is spending too much time in front of a monitor is to agree upon set training hours. Would-be esports players also need to commit considerable time to watch live events. You can get a clear idea of the CSGO esports schedule at 1337pro. By assessing the upcoming slate of events and fixtures, you’ll be able to determine whether your youngsters are viewing more than they need to as they prepare for a career in esports.
