Video games to some can be a way to let off a bit of stress, or socially interact with other people through online game play. To a thirteen year old boy in China, it was a way of life. He played the game World of Warcraft pretty much from sunrise to sunset. It started out as a fun new game to play with friends, to an addiction, a way of life. What seemed like a normal little boy, quickly changed as he played the game for what started at a few hours a day, to around half the day, and what ultimately ended at 20+ hours a day. He felt as though he was in the game, and that he was his character. He later ended his life after jumping off of a 24 story building while reenacting a part of the storyline.
A lot of people have different personalities. Some kids can pick up a game, enjoy it for a while, but still be able to step away from the game and go out with friends, and do their schoolwork. Others, many having addictive personalities, pick up a game, and can quickly become addicted and it can affect their social lives and schoolwork.
Parents need to be able to step in when they see their children playing too much of a video game. A lot just assume it's just what kids do nowadays but that is not always the case. It can lead to a lot of problems down the road, such as childhood obesity, social problems, and can even lead to poor scores on their tests and schoolwork.
Enjoying games to let off some stress is one thing, but to feel as though you are part of the game, living in some fantasy world, is totally different.
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