this post was submitted on 19 Nov 2023
530 points (87.2% liked)

Technology

59647 readers
2684 users here now

This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.


Our Rules


  1. Follow the lemmy.world rules.
  2. Only tech related content.
  3. Be excellent to each another!
  4. Mod approved content bots can post up to 10 articles per day.
  5. Threads asking for personal tech support may be deleted.
  6. Politics threads may be removed.
  7. No memes allowed as posts, OK to post as comments.
  8. Only approved bots from the list below, to ask if your bot can be added please contact us.
  9. Check for duplicates before posting, duplicates may be removed

Approved Bots


founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 

Parents Sue Gaming Companies Over ‘Video Game Addiction’, Because That’s Easier Than Parenting::Video game addiction. Sigh. Big sigh, even. Like, the biggest of sighs. We've talked about claims that video game addiction is a documentable affliction in the past, as well as the pushback that claim has received from addiction experts, who have pointed out that much of this is being done to allow doctors to get…

(page 2) 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

In my opinion (see also Dr Gabor Maté), addictions (which, I also think, can be about petty much anything) are very much mostly attempts to escape pain, when better alternatives do not seem available to a person.

So, yeah, video game addiction can be a thing, and certain game designs exacerbate that (similar to what might fuel gambling addictions and such).

But all of this perspective only distracts from whatever is causing the people/kids pain, makes them seek out games in an addicted fashion in the first place.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Maybe those parents will understand if someone tells them that is the same thing as suing as any alcohol brand for their kid's addiction.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

As much as I see what a pointless move this is from the parents, we should acknowledge the alcohol industry and retailers have to take more responsibility to keep it away from children than game companies do. Stores can be punished if a kid goes there saying "I'm definitely 21" and they sell without checking.

There is some neglect from parents, there is the way how our society is overworked gets in the way of parents who want to do better, but a fraction of the blame can be put on game companies that sell games with gambling-like monetization without even rating it properly. They are not wrong about there being "addictive features" and "predatory monetization aimed at minors". Even Mario Kart World Tour has these, and it's rated E

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Absolutley, you are completely correct. I also heard that in some countries microtransaccions that rewarded "Random" items are being prohibited since its the same as gambling. Which in that case suing them for that would make sense.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

What's next? Parents sue God over masturbation addiction.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago

The recent lawsuits against gaming companies over 'video game addiction' seem to overlook the importance of parental guidance. It's easier to blame external factors than to address the root causes at home. The principles of the AA twelve steps teach us about taking responsibility and seeking personal growth, which can be applied to parenting as well. Just as recovering from addiction requires commitment and support, guiding children through their challenges needs consistent involvement and understanding. Instead of looking for quick fixes, parents could benefit from actively engaging in their children's lives and setting healthy boundaries around gaming and other activities.

load more comments
view more: ‹ prev next ›