Kenneth M. Woog, Psy. D. Computer Gaming Addiction Treatment Services computergamingaddiction.com kwoog@wooglabs.com (949) 422-4120 Pepperdine University Associate Director, PRYDE kwoog@pepperdine.edu
Computer Gaming Addiction in Adolescents and Young Adults, Solutions for Moderating and Motivating for Success
• • • • • • Background of the problem Theories of Addiction – Recent Science NIDA Theory of Gaming Addiction Assessment and Treatment methods Case Studies Questions
Computers and Interactive Technology
1984 - Personal Computers for business and hobby use
2006 - Too Wired?
(c)2009 Kenneth M. Woog, Psy. D. 3
It’s a “Dangerous” World
• Media attention to MySpace and Pedophiles
• News reports of abductions, murders linked to MySpace • Stepped up Law Enforcement Entrapment
• “To Catch a Predator…n” Dateline NBC - Perverted-Justice.com
• Larger, Widespread Problem - Excessive Computer Use
• • • • Lowered Academic/Occupational Performance Excess Gaming - Social Isolation, Anxiety, Depression Online socialization: exposure to deviant peers (MySpace) Health problems
• Repetitive Stress Injury, obesity, vision problems, sleep
• Family Conflict
(c)2009 Kenneth M. Woog, Psy. D. 4
Symptoms of Problematic Computer Gaming
• • • • • • • • • • • • • Does not believe there is a problem (parents have problem) Lies about use - (claims only 20-30 hours, actual 40+) Stays up late, sneaks game play in the middle of the night Has trouble getting up in the morning to go to school Has become isolated, withdrawn from this real world friends Constant arguments, violence (parents, siblings) regarding use Repetitive stress injuries due to excess use Game play has increased steadily over the past year Spends time on-line in researching game related items Admits playing helps improve mood, often irritable otherwise Thinks about playing
References: / Resources • NIDA (2007) The Science of Addiction. Retrieved from: http://www.nida.nih.gov/scienceofaddiction/ • Southpark - Comedy Central, Season 10, “Make Love, Not Warcraft” • Woog, K. (2006) How tech savvy teens defeat parental controls http://www.pcmoderator.com/wooglabs3_018.htm • Woog, K. (2004) A survey of mental health professionals clinical exposure to problematic computer use. http://www.pcmoderator.com/research.pdf • Yee, N. (2002) Ariadne - Understanding MMORPG Addiction, retrieved from http://www.nickyee.com/hub/addiction/home.html • Gentile, D. (2009) Pathological Video-Game Use Among Youth Ages 8 to 18. Psychological Science, 20, 594-601 • Woog, K. (2009) Internet Addiction Disorder: Computer/Video Gaming Addiction, Los Angeles Office of Education DVD • Woog, K. (2009) Computer Gaming Addiction Treatment Services (www.computergamingaddiction.com) (c)2009 Kenneth M. Woog, Psy. D. 54 Computer Gaming Addiction in Adolescents and Young Adults, Solutions for Moderating and Motivating for Success Kenneth M. Woog, Psy. D. Computer Gaming Addiction Treatment Services computergamingaddiction.com kwoog@wooglabs.com (949) 422-4120 Pepperdine University Associate Director, PRYDE kwoog@pepperdine.edu