Video games are probably the most popular forms of entertainment of the 21st century. As time passes, and video games become even more popular, they attract diverse and amplified audiences. Sometimes a video game seems so fun, that after a while it creates a need to continue playing rather than going out or spending time with friends and family.

Some find video games to be a way of spending time and relaxing, and on some occasions they become the substitute of friends.

“I started playing video games because I didn’t have many friends,” said sophomore Ryan Wagner. “It’s a way of relaxing and filling the available time you have.”

For sophomore Kenny Sinkowski, it can be an obsession.

“Sometimes a game can become addicting because all I can think about is completing it,” he said. “However, as soon as the game is completed I’m done with my obsession.”

Some video games can cause serious problems. There are events where people have torn their tendon after playing games like Candy Crush for weeks.  In another instance a teenager died after playing a game for many hours, and he had stopped eating, drinking and sleeping.

When it’s the right moment to stop before inconvenient consequences might happen?

“A video game has become a problem when it becomes a part of your daily routine,” said junior Daniel Morano, “when you reach that point the video games have started taking over your ability to meet people.”

“You’ve got an issue when you stop paying attention to those around you.” said teacher Jonathan Wilson, “At that point video games are keeping you away from your friends and family, and this can only further develop on more serious issues.”

What can be done to stop and cure this new kind of addiction? Addiction to video games has been classified as an actual disease from WebMD. It is seen as a problem that can be only treated with a psychological approach, because there’s no addiction to a substance, but only to a series of actions. Also, it presents itself as a harder challenge to avoid because people who stop being alcoholics tend to not drink for the rest of their lives, instead, computers are something that can’t be avoided, so there’s the need to be able to deal with the problem and limit its power over the addicted.

“I’ve played video games for a whole weekend,” said sophomore Joe Eldridge, “I haven’t eat anything and only played GTA and Call of Duty the whole time.”

Having to talk to a psychologist is a valid solution, and it’s often the best thing to do. However, situations aren’t always drastic to the point where specific treatment is needed. Is there a solution to stop video game addiction that wouldn’t require a psychologist?

“Video games can be a serious problem for some people,” said junior Matthew Nuneville. “The solution is knowing to stop, so they won’t take over your life.”

“Games create addiction because they’re so good.” said sophomore Paul Pullia. “A way to fix the problem would be create more games that use Wii or Kinect.”

It’s important to know that an addiction to video games is something dangerous, but are video games the only kind of addiction caused by computers?

“Playing video games can often be a different way of socializing or meeting new people.” said senior Kevin Usigan, “Sometimes games can become a problem for some people, however, there is also addiction to social media that can be equally dangerous, or deteriorating towards socializing with people face to face.”

Addiction to social media is one of the newest causes of depression that are born in our century. According to WebMD, this kind of addiction can often be linked with serious depression and compulsive behaviors. When we talk about socializing, what is the difference between becoming friends on Facebook, or playing together online at Grand Theft Auto? Is there any difference at all?

Both behaviors make people be absent from what surrounds them, and makes them have virtual friends for a period of time. The problem comes out when its seen that both kind of behaviors do create disorder in the norms of society, and make people always more need to look at a screen rather than a person’s face.

Are video games and social media a problem, or are they becoming the norm? Or both?