Research suggests there may be a physiological explanation for why people get hooked on video games. Studies have shown that playing games can trigger the release of the chemical dopamine in the brain. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter, is associated with pleasurable sensations and has been linked with addiction.
The popularity of multiplayer online video games is causing concern among some parents who have seen their kids' lives completely taken over by these role-playing virtual worlds. It's estimated that more than 3.5 million people around the world log on each day to play these games.
EverQuest, one of the most popular online games, is played by more than 350,000 devotees around the world, who pay a monthly subscription fee and spend an average of more than 20 hours a week playing the game. (Source: Inside.com, 2001.) Because online gaming is one of the few profitable businesses on the Web, the industry is poised to roll out several more games - hoping to attract larger mainstream audiences.
Playing games online with thousands of other users may appear to be a social activity. But for the introverted child or teen, any form of excessive video game playing can further isolate them from friends and peers.
The potential negative effects on physical health are another concern of excessive video game playing. If a child spends long periods of time playing video games, it may be at the expense of more active pastimes.
If your kids find it difficult to control their game playing, you need to help them by setting limits on how much time they can play - and by encouraging them to be involved in other activities.
It's easy for children's gaming to become excessive or even addictive. A 1998 study by Simon Fraser University, Video Game Culture, showed that one out of every four teens who plays video games feels addicted to them, and is troubled by a lack of control over their behaviour. 
