I am the mother of a 26 year old young man. He moved away from home at the age of 20. I have no idea if Second Life was around 6 years ago, but let me make one thing perfectly clear. Second Life should be banned from every home everywhere. It is an addiction that takes hold and takes over one's life. I had no clue what my son was doing. He is 26, does not work, gambles, and goes on the computer. That is his life.
He was diagnosed with Aspergers Disorder when he was 21. He was not living at home at the time. It seems that many people with Aspergers do not like other people, do not like to socialize, and choose, as their avatars, Androids in Second Life. Do any of you know what it is like to have a child, and then lose that child to a compuer virtual reality world? I know what this is like. It has happened to me and my family. I do not know who my son is anymore. I don't even know what he looks like. He doesn't care about anything but Second LIfe. I believe he lives, sleeps and eats this virtual reality world. I joined it, just to see what the heck he was doing all day. I had to choose an avatar, and there was my son, inviting me to go flying with him. I admit, it was nice for about 10 minutes. Going shopping and such. It's a nice place to get away for an hour or so once in a while. But to live in this world, to never leave your home, to have no friends, to not have a girlfriend. To not exercise, walk around the block, etc., well, you must understand. This is the same as drinking, drugging, or gambling. It's an addiction. It destroys families.
My son went to college and is brilliant. As are most users in Second Life, I would imagine. But to not see your mother for 6 years. To not call your father when he is in the hospital. To actually tell your parents, "you are no longer a priority in my life". Well, to me, the founders of Second Life should be arrested and put away for life.
They have destroyed families. Shame on them.
Let me tell you something interesting that I just found out. I had never knew this before. I found a website named OLGA, Online Gamers Anonymous. Well, every single parent is going through what I went through. There are also people who have lost husbands and wives due to Second Life, World of Warcraft, etc. It seems that all this video games change the domanine level in the brain and the kids can't stop, and if you try and take the game console away, the kids rebel and some even attack the parents.
This is very serious. Video gaming is addictive, and more important, these virtual reality worlds are ADDICTIVE. I do not believe my son has aspergers. My son's behavior fits EXACTLY what these parents are discussing. These parents are going through hell. Kids are not going to school, they are not getting off of the computer, or playstation. All they do, day and night is play games. One young man does not see his family any more. His parents are broken hearted. I now know that my son is absolutely 100% a Gaming Addict. I have nothing more to say. There are no rehabs yet for this kind of addiction. Because every single household buys these consoles and computers for the kids. Think about it. When does a kid start smoking? At about 14 or 15 (to be cool, to fit in, WHATEVER).
When does a kid start using video games. FROM THE AGE OF 3.
They get them hooked young.
They should be arrested. Go online and do the research if you don't believe that I have written. Oh and all these gaming addicts have the same Mantra.... I can quit whenever I wish, I'm not an addict, I can quit. AND THEY NEVER DO!!!
All sellers, manufacturers and users of video games should be locked up. I'm not overreacting because I'm a bad parent at all.
He was diagnosed with Aspergers Disorder when he was 21. He was not living at home at the time. It seems that many people with Aspergers do not like other people, do not like to socialize, and choose, as their avatars, Androids in Second Life. Do any of you know what it is like to have a child, and then lose that child to a compuer virtual reality world? I know what this is like. It has happened to me and my family. I do not know who my son is anymore. I don't even know what he looks like. He doesn't care about anything but Second LIfe. I believe he lives, sleeps and eats this virtual reality world. I joined it, just to see what the heck he was doing all day. I had to choose an avatar, and there was my son, inviting me to go flying with him. I admit, it was nice for about 10 minutes. Going shopping and such. It's a nice place to get away for an hour or so once in a while. But to live in this world, to never leave your home, to have no friends, to not have a girlfriend. To not exercise, walk around the block, etc., well, you must understand. This is the same as drinking, drugging, or gambling. It's an addiction. It destroys families.
My son went to college and is brilliant. As are most users in Second Life, I would imagine. But to not see your mother for 6 years. To not call your father when he is in the hospital. To actually tell your parents, "you are no longer a priority in my life". Well, to me, the founders of Second Life should be arrested and put away for life.
They have destroyed families. Shame on them.
Let me tell you something interesting that I just found out. I had never knew this before. I found a website named OLGA, Online Gamers Anonymous. Well, every single parent is going through what I went through. There are also people who have lost husbands and wives due to Second Life, World of Warcraft, etc. It seems that all this video games change the domanine level in the brain and the kids can't stop, and if you try and take the game console away, the kids rebel and some even attack the parents.
This is very serious. Video gaming is addictive, and more important, these virtual reality worlds are ADDICTIVE. I do not believe my son has aspergers. My son's behavior fits EXACTLY what these parents are discussing. These parents are going through hell. Kids are not going to school, they are not getting off of the computer, or playstation. All they do, day and night is play games. One young man does not see his family any more. His parents are broken hearted. I now know that my son is absolutely 100% a Gaming Addict. I have nothing more to say. There are no rehabs yet for this kind of addiction. Because every single household buys these consoles and computers for the kids. Think about it. When does a kid start smoking? At about 14 or 15 (to be cool, to fit in, WHATEVER).
When does a kid start using video games. FROM THE AGE OF 3.
They get them hooked young.
They should be arrested. Go online and do the research if you don't believe that I have written. Oh and all these gaming addicts have the same Mantra.... I can quit whenever I wish, I'm not an addict, I can quit. AND THEY NEVER DO!!!
All sellers, manufacturers and users of video games should be locked up. I'm not overreacting because I'm a bad parent at all.
