Everybody has one’s favorite leisure activities. However, nowadays many people, especially youngsters, spend their free time playing online computer games. On the one hand, playing online computer games is beneficial developing one’s imagination. On the other hand, it is disadvantageous because it wastes one’s time, people get quickly obsessed with these games and forget their duties and responsibilities.
There is a huge variety of online games everybody can access. Various means of communication such as tablets, mobile phones, computers and laptops is a great way to download online games to Xboxes Live or to play just on a smartphone or a tablet. In addition, people become obsessed with things due to many reasons. For some people playing online games becomes a bad habit. Other people may use the Internet as a way to escape from tasks. Many feel a sense of competence and accomplishment from winning a game and then keep playing to maintain that feeling.
Usually people do not distinguish is gaming a hobby or an addiction. Of course, there are some symptoms which indicate that a person has an addiction. Firstly, an addicted person is unable to stop the activity and is ready to continue this activity every day. Secondly, people addicted to online games start to neglect family and friends. They more like stay indoors, alone and share their experience, feelings and mood with characters from online games. It means, these games are played online with other people and are especially addictive because they generally have no ending. Players with this type of addiction enjoy creating and temporarily becoming an online character. They often build relationships with other online players considering escape from reality. For some people this community may be the place where they feel they are the most accepted.
Moreover, online game addiction can have severe negative consequences. Though most of the symptoms have short-term effects, they can lead to more severe long-term problems. For example, someone addicted to online games will often avoid sleeping or eating proper meals in order to continue a game. While the short-term effects may include hunger and fatigue, it could eventually lead to a sleep disorder or diet-related health issues. Similarly, those who isolate themselves from others in order to play online games may miss out on family events, parties with friends or other events. If this continues for a long period of time, addicted people might find themselves without any friends at all.
In conclusion, playing online games is beneficial because you develop your imagination and you get computer using skills. However, it brings negative consequences if a person gets addicted to this activity and is ready to continue in near future.
Gabriele