Hi DadOfAddictGamr
As parents, we're definitely up against it these days. The amount of stimulants out there can easily trap kids in an addiction. Online gaming, Tik Tok and a whole stack of other dopamine generating and alluring things can impact kids in so many ways. As a mum to a 19yo guy and 22yo gal, it's tough as a parent learning through hindsight. Tough for our kids too in some ways. Kind of like 'If only I knew the true impact of what I thought was harmless at the time, I would have managed it differently'.
I can relate to what indigo mentions about something lacking in a person's life that can lead them to turn to what fills the void in a way. Perhaps a lack of happy friendships is what leads some into online friendships (including gaming friendships). A lack of stimulation in either physical, mental or soulful ways can lead someone to seek some form of stimulation. A lack of sensing the feelings we long to sense can lead us to explore what is sensational. When it comes to companies that rely on this need to fill a void, this of course is where they make a portion of their profits.
Being 54 and having existed before mobile phones and before the gaming industry exploded into what it is today, it's an instant gratification kind of world today, in comparison. Want dinner in 5 minutes? Stick it in the microwave. Want access to a movie in the blink of an eye? Tap into a streaming service, as opposed to going to the video shop or out to the cinema. Want to communicate with anyone you like while you're out? No need to track down a phone box. What's instant can be addictive. Delayed gratification, exercises in patience and the the ability to manage what's boring are just a handful of the many traits wired into the generations that came before us. As neurologists suggest, these days our brains are being rewired in certain ways. This leads me to think of an absolutely fascinating guy, in my opinion, Dr Daniel Amen. While he specialises in ADHD, he's studied and still studies the many different influences that shape a child's brain and an adult's brain. From psychology, biology, chemistry and such all the way through to who a person naturally is, his research is extensive and fascinating.
Whether it's online gaming, general marketing/advertising, gambling sites or something else that promotes what's addictive, all these industries are fully aware of how to manipulate the human brain. On the bright side, they can offer some harmless fun. On the dark side, they can be truly mind altering as they create disorder in a person's life.
