Addiction to Video Games and Computers

By:Ignacio Vidal Melissa VelascoAlexia Delgado

We realized that many young people are only playing video games and playing on computers and they are not doing sports.

Purpose

What is Addiction?Addiction is a compulsive need, that starts like a pleasurable experience and turns into an uncontrollable destructive craving.

Addict:A person who cannot stop doing something harmful.

Symptoms of AddictionMost non-school hours are spent

on the computer and playing video games.

Falling asleep in school.

Worsening grades.

Lying about computer use.

Choosing to play video games or on

the computer instead of with friends.

Dropping out of social groups.

Being irritable when not playing video

games or on the computer.

Physical Consequences

Carpal tunnel syndromeMigrainesSleep disturbancesBack achesEating irregularitiesPoor personal hygiene

Interviews:Dra. Monica Salazar – Psychologist (Centro ACEPTA)Dra. Marivel Briceño - Psychologist

Investigation

Surveys:• Video Game Addiction Survey -

Altair Primary School• Computer Addiction Survey -

Altair Secondary School

Play video games Hang with friends Read Other0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

34

126

1013

50

512 9

0 0

Activities Students Do In Their Free Time

8−10 11−13 14-16

Free Time Activites

Num

ber

of S

tude

nts

30 or less minutes 1−3 hours 3 hours or more0

5

10

15

20

25

30

26

191313

8

1

912

2

Hours Spent Playing Video Games

8−1011−1314−16

Hours

Num

ber

of S

tude

nts

15-30min. 1-3h More than 3h0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

7

28

514

43

32

1

35 32

10y-12y13y-15y16y-18y

Time

Num

ber

Of

Stud

ents

Hours Spent On The Computer

Yes No Sometimes0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

1017

12

2719

45

134

15

10y-12y13y-15y16y-18y

Answer

Num

ber

of s

tude

nts

Do You Lose Track Of Time When You Are On-line?

Treatment

Evaluation:

BiologicalPsychologicalSocial factors Isolation

ConclusionConclusion Our conclusion is that at our school, people from ages13-15 are becoming addicted to computers and people from ages 8-10 are becoming addicted to video games.

Reflection and ActionOur action is giving out bookmarks and pamphlets to teach students about addiction. We are also going to present our findings in a presentation to all of Secondary School at the final Assembly.

SourcesPrimary Sources:• Interview: Dr. Monica Salazar• Interview: Marivel Briceño• Video Game Addiction Survey: Altair Primary School• Computer Addiction Survey : Altair Secondary School

Secondary Sources:• Mi primera enciclopedia : Tomo 3, page 28• http://www.video-game-addiction.org/what-is-computer-inte

rnet-addiction.html•  

http://www.video-game-addiction.org/symptoms-computer-addiction-teens.html

•  http://www.video-game-addiction.org/physical-concequences.html

•  http://www.video-game-addiction.org/video-game-addiction-treatment.html