Hyperactivity And Videogames Linked

Thanks to BBC News for their article discussing claims that hyperactive children spend much longer playing computer games than healthy children. According to the UK-based research, "Children with ADHD were more likely to play games based on fighting", and "..spent 11.3 hours a week playing computer games, double the time spent by the other [non-hyperactive] group." The researcher, Dr. Justin Williams, said that the hyperactive children "...were the least socially able and the most technically able, which leads them to prefer computer games to social interaction", but didn't condemn games completely, adding: "It's important for parents to be fully engaged in what their children are getting from their media diet... there are lots of good computer games to play."

Comments

Re:Wait one fucking minute ...

[Anonymous Coward]

You don't have ADHD, but you may have dyslexia.

The article (and write up) state that (paraphrasing) "children with ADHD play video games more often than children who don't have ADHD", not "video games cause ADHD in children."

Re:a load of bull

[millia]

okay, i don't have time to dismiss this completely, but let's address this:

1) stern beatings. yes, that works well when your mind can't concentrate. beatings work real well at fixing those chemical imbalances. i don't rule out corporal punishment- but it's not going to stop a kid from fidgeting.

2) add/adhd bullshit. while there is a larger prevalence today- just like there's more autism- it's always been here. mom can remember kids who were smart and talented- but just not good at that sitting in a desk thing. one of those kids in her class- in a farming community- went on to be a cowboy. some of those kids learned they could selfmedicate through caffeine.

the key thing that might be different today is the amount of time that gets invested in children by parents. a prescription of ritalin does not cure the problem- it just makes it possible to fix it, through behavior modification, practice, discipline, and patience. and that means both parents, and the teachers. it takes work, unfortunately. there is no quick fix.