Video games not addictive – yet

Video games are in the firing line again with the American Medical Association (AMA) calling for more research into the health risks and a overhaul of the ratings system.

However, the AMA refused to back claims that video games are addictive – at least until it gets some new research.

The news comes a week after the violent Manhunt 2 game was banned in the UK and Ireland and the furore sparked by the use of a CCTV image of Jamie Bulger in a game based on the popular TV crime series, Law & Order.

The AMA said that 70-90 per cent of US youths play video games and it wants detailed research into the long-term beneficial and detrimental effects of video game and internet use. It will also submit its findings to the American Psychiatric Association to see whether or not video game addiction can be classified as a mental disorder.

“While more study is needed on the addictive potential of video games, the AMA remains concerned about the behavioral, health and societal effects of video game and internet overuse,” said Ronald M Davis, MD and AMA president. “We urge parents to closely monitor their children’s use of video games and the internet.”

The AMA also wants a review of the current game ratings system, which has been in place since 1994. It feels that a new system that better alerts parents to a game’s content could go a long way to preventing kids being exposed to unsuitable content.

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