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Thursday, 22 July 2010 7:29 P.M.
Internet
Addiction -- College Students Lose Sleep, Miss Meals Due to Online
Role Playing Games
Photo
credit: PRNewsFoto/University
of the Rockies
Study
out of University of the Rockies finds that students lose sleep
and miss meals due to online role playing games.
COLORADO
SPRINGS, Colo., -- According to a University of the Rockies
research study, it's commonplace for college students to lose sleep,
miss meals, fail to attend classes, and experience social withdrawal
due to excess online game playing. While males are more prone to
excessive playing, there is no difference between the effects on
males or females.
For her doctoral dissertation at the graduate school specializing
in psychology, Sabrina Neu examined the relationship between demographic
factors, social anxiety, proneness to boredom, grade point average
and Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game playing.
"Virtual
gaming, where participants take on an identity, has exploded in
the past 10 years, particularly among 18 to 30 year olds. Online
game subscriber numbers are in the millions and profits for game
developers are in the billions of dollars," Neu said.
"The
student lifestyle, with unlimited Internet access, large blocks
of unstructured time and absence of supervision, may place students
at greater risk for over-utilization."
Neu's research
also identifies potential benefits of online gaming. "Players
cite social opportunities as a primary reason for play. Players
can overcome shyness, actualize previously untapped talents, mentor
other players, free themselves from physical disabilities, develop
a sense of purpose and achievement and engage in altruistic, heroic
and generous acts," she said.
"Despite
many pro-social benefits, there is also a harmful side. Players
can suffer consequences such as neglecting friends and family and
arranging one's real world life to fully accommodate game playing."
Forty-two
percent of college student respondents to the study reported their
online gaming had interfered with work or academics.
About
University of the Rockies
University
of the Rockies is a graduate school specializing in master's and
doctorate degree programs in psychology. Accredited by the Higher
Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges
and Schools (www.ncahlc.org),
classes are offered online and at the University's Colorado Springs,
Colorado, campus.
Source:
University of the Rockies
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