Child And Adolescent Psychiatrists React To AMA Recommendation On Video Games
July 10, 2007 – 8:49 pm | posted in Pediatrics, Psychology / PsychiatryThe American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) welcomes the American Medical Association’s recommendation that leaders in the psychiatric community should carefully review current research on video games before potentially defining excessive video gaming as an addiction in the upcoming edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The DSM is a manual commonly used by mental health professionals that categorizes psychiatric diagnoses for all mental illnesses. Video game addiction is not listed in the current edition.
Child and adolescent psychiatrists are concerned about children who spend more than 2 hours playing video games each day. Chair of AACAP’s TV and Media Committee, Michael Brody, M.D., said, “This is a type of media where players become a part of the game. However, there is not enough research on whether or not video games are addictive. For many children and adolescents, playing video games is integrated into their lives in a balanced, healthy manner. For others, it displaces physical activity and time spent on studies, with friends, and even with family.”
The AACAP cautions that exposure to violent video games can elevate aggressive feelings and thoughts, especially in children and adolescents. In addition, spending large amounts of time playing these games can create problems and lead to:
– Poor social skills
– Time away from family, school-work, and other hobbies
– Lower grades and reading less
– Lack of exercise and obesity
“The world of gaming is Darwinian and lacking compassion as many games are violent with the players winning by killing. The games are often sexist and racist.” said Dr. Brody. “The AACAP recommends that the rating of these games be more reliable and the raters be independent of the gaming industry.”
The AACAP suggests that if parents are concerned that their child is spending too much time playing video games or appears preoccupied or obsessed with aggressive or violent video games, they should first set some limits (for example - playing the games for one hour after all homework is done) and try to encourage the child to participate in other activities. If there is continued concern about their child’s behavior or the effects of video games, a consultation with a qualified mental health professional may be helpful.
Click here for more tips on how parents can avoid the problems associated with excessive video gaming . See AACAP’s Facts for Families, t of a series of fact sheets about mental disorders written by child and adolescent psychiatrists, at http://www.aacap.org. To schedule an interview with a child and adolescent psychiatrist about the effects of video game playing, please contact Erin Baker at ebaker@aacap.org.
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