What kind of weak-minded people get "addicted" to video games and the Internet?

You have someone e-mail you at 10:30 so you can go to bed? That IS pretty sad.

Why can't you just, not get on the computer? Or if you do get online, just not go to certain spots (like this one, if you're addicted to it).?

Thanx.:-)

I can only agree with you. However, I could say that I have friends here, or that this is the only way at present for me to get a half decent conversation. I expect that you are able bodied, full of confidence and able to get out. There are many here and on games sites that cannot. It's not a defence, just a fact. There are also those that are housebound and to whom the internet, games etc has become a lifeline to the outside world. Me, I'm just a myLot addict. I'm not alone and seeing as you are averaging 22 responses a day since joining two weeks ago all that I can say is look out. It'll get you too. But have fun.

I wholeheartedly agree with this. I have better success talking to people online than I ever will in the "real world". It would be great to be confident and able or happy to go out. I suspect that there are man who cannot or will not. I know that it is a fact from my own personal experience. When somebody is housebound, whether by choice or not by choice, the Internet is absolutely a lifeline to the outside world. It's their way to reach out and communicate and be a part of life. I am also a myLot addict. I enjoy the people and the conversations. And of course I enjoy being able to earn money from posting on the Internet, which is one of my loves.:)

You are so right, P1ke, my Hubby is disabled and housebound. The internet is his outdoors...his friends...and his lifeline. Without it he would be a recluse and a miserable one at that.

~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~

**STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**

Yes, the Internet is very useful, and video games can be fun, but addicting?

It's not like it's a opiate or anything, so what causes the addiction? Is it really that hard to NOT log on to a particular site, or NOT turn-on the gaming console?

I just don't think it's a "real" addiction...I've never heard of anyone being treated for online or gaming withdrawal symptoms. It's all a farce.

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No I wouldn't really say they are addicted like somebody who smokes or who is an alcoholic. If you need to get something done then the absolute only reason for not getting up and turning off the video game or getting off the computer is laziness. That is if that's the only thing the person does all the time and they never ever do anything else then it is out of laziness that they never do anything else. It's not because they are addicted to the game but it's because they are too lazy to get off of the game and go do what they are supposed to be doing. I do agree that there should be a limit to how much people do these things.

People keep coming back and getting on an internet site or playing a video game because they enjoy it! It is fun! They like it! If a person likes something they keep coming back to it as long as it seems interesting. It's just natural to want something you like or find interesting. This is really the best I can explain these things on demand like this. If I did research for days on this topic I could possibly give a better answer but for now this is as good as it gets.

My point exactly!!!

I hope the guy above you answers that question.

Happy MyLotting!

Exmaple: Mahjong and Sudoku are wildly popular (because they're addictive to those who like that sort of game). I've tried both, and they are enjoyable, but don't hold my interest long enough to be addictive.

There are a lot of games that I can relate to, and find enjoyable, but Im asking about those people (like the first responder) who are addicted.

Thank you for the excellent response!

Happy MyLotting!

The answer may not lie too far off from the cigarette and alcohol examples. As previously stated many people find it easier to connect to people online than in person which means in "real life" they're completely lacking the chemical reactions of social activity whereas online, especially in the gaming world, they can acquire and replace many of these feelings. They will make friends online because they're not defeated by their fear of rejection or being in an awkward situation. They start to hear things like "Good job." "I'm proud of you." etc from their peers online. These sorts of accomplishments can release chemicals in the brain which "real lifers" can relate to in the sense of parents praising them, peers praising them, etc. In the extreme cases people will replace their real life with their game life as manifested in the stories of people dieing of malnourishment because of gaming or people taking their lives from losing status in online games. These are people who do not have the life skills, "real" friends or even relationships with family to ever feel they're doing anything worth while in the real world but they do need social interaction just as much as anyone else, it's human nature.