Personality types that are more likely to become addicted
to games. Some researchers are exploring personality
variables among computer game addicts [8] and Internet
addicts [1]. Those who believe that age is an important
factor are concentrating on adolescents and children
Effects and consequences of game addiction. As the
popularity of gaming has grown, potential effects such as
violent tendencies and poor social skill development have
become public concerns. Young observes that Internet
addiction can lead to such negative consequences as
psychological manipulation, victimization, and student and
employee Internet abuse. She suggests that health clinics
and counseling centers need to design and offer recovery
programs for addicts [16]. Other researchers note that
children and teenagers with video game addictions are more
likely to express hostile feelings and to suffer from poor
academic performance
Causative factors. Several reports in the mass media are
about parental efforts to sue game companies for
developing addictive games [12], assuming the game itself
is the major cause of addiction. Yet, some academic
researchers are working on identifying links between the
structural characteristics of games and gamer motives,
based on the assumption that certain structural
characteristics are more important than others in terms of
inducing interest in games or extending that interest