From: [d--s--y] at [zikzak.apana.org.au] (David Sheehy)
Subject: Video Games addictive! (British research indicates)
Date: 19 Jul 1994 11:32:17 +1000



An article appearing a while ago in the Melbourne "Age" newspaper tells of 
British research showing how addictive arcade games are. Dr. Sue Fisher's 
study of 467 British youths shows that video games develop habits in 
children similar to those of compulsive gamblers. 

The study showed that 66% of the group played video games, 21% played 
once a week or more. 6% of the group surveyed were deemed to be 
"pathological players", half of whom had stolen from their families to 
fund their habits. More than 20% had stolen from outside their homes or 
shoplifted to keep on playing. Of the pathological players, 11% admitted 
spending up to A$41 a week on games, and 21% played every day.

Dutch authorities have already started putting warning signs on video 
machines warning they could be addictive. (Notice that it is the Dutch 
who are forward thinking in this area - the same people who gave us 
marijuana decriminalization)
-- 
-David Sheehy

- [d--s--y] at [zikzak.apana.org.au] - Melbourne, Australia -
- As seen smoking a joint on international television -