Are you a “MMORPGs Addict?”

In a study published in a PEDIATRICS Magazine, a doctor said that “Children addicted to online gaming usually have ‘poor self-esteem and social problems’…they’re intelligent and imaginative but don’t have many friends at school”

MMORPGs or massive multi-player online role-playing games is defined as ‘networks of players, who interact with each other to achieve goals, go on missions, and reach high scores in a fantasy world.”  Sometimes the game may be spectacular and colorful. Unfortunately, many have elements of interaction in battles, fighting and killing each other.

Because these online games foster bonding, release stress, and entertain, the appeal to students is understandable.  If one wins, it gives the student a semblance of total control. In other words, it should be played with responsibility. These can teach cooperation, teamwork, courtesy and camaraderie.  Students can attain visual skills, good behavior, and better concentration.

With the good, comes the bad.  Excessive online gaming can result in headaches, dry eyes, weight gain, poor personal hygiene, postural disorders, such as backaches. BUT when behavioral changes do occur, such as sense of well-being when in front of a computer, craving more and more for time at the computer, neglecting family and friends, and becoming depressed or irritable when not at the computer, then the bigger problem is setting in, ONLINE ADDICTION! This will lead to disastrous consequences. Gamers will have no other interest other than online gaming. They will neglect everything and everybody they used to love: hobbies, family and friends. They become irritable and even violent when denied access to online gaming. They will manifest three warning signs: school performance suffers, such as lower grades, moodiness, and fatigue.

Online games, per se, are not bad.  In fact it could be regarded as a natural teacher, when used in a proper perspective. But hey should be played with responsibility and with supervision. Your teammates and co- gamers can constantly remind you of the consequences. Remember, it is a team game. But when the computer starts to control you, expect the worst: the “MMORPGs addict” will no longer know the difference between fantasy world and reality, and what is worst is … they do not care.