Will "Pathological Internet Misuse" be added to the DSM?
The DSM is the Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders.
I read the article, and am distressed and frustrated about a couple of issues.
1. Where are the parents ? What are their goals ? We as parents are to graciously exercise authority and direction in the home. Our priorities need to be teaching godly life patterns and self discipline. We must regulate the use of the compute. An article in US News a few years ago said a) Get the computers and TV’s out of the bedrooms into the family room, where all can see what is happening. We need to stop the individual isolation that is taking place. This is a guard against pornography, overuse and misuse of the computer, and lack of discipline. We as parents need to quit letting the electronics be the interactors with our children, and acceopt the hard task of parenting.
2. Why is this a psychological addiction ? It sounds much more like a self disciplinen issue. For us as beleivers, it is an issue of the fruit of the Spirit (Self Control) and a stewardship issue. The way we spend our time is a reflection of our attitude toward God.
3. Video games foster interaction with a fantasy world, not the real world. A little play can go a long way. We have let the children and their play rule the day, instead of setting out reasonable goals for them. I grew up in a secular home at the time when TV was relatively new. Dad found out that I would hit the basement and watch TV when I got home from school. He laid down the law quickly : Get outside and run around, do activity, do productive work or play. No TV until after homework, which was after supper. Even in those days, there was the distraction of an electronic medium.
4. An article in World Magazine a few weeks ago noted that young ladies are learning life and study skills that will prepare them for responsible adulthood, while young men are learning to play video games. We are seeing a decline in higher education among young men, which does not bode well for the responsibility God lays upon us as men to accept responsibility for our families.
1. Where are the parents ? What are their goals ? We as parents are to graciously exercise authority and direction in the home. Our priorities need to be teaching godly life patterns and self discipline. We must regulate the use of the compute. An article in US News a few years ago said a) Get the computers and TV’s out of the bedrooms into the family room, where all can see what is happening. We need to stop the individual isolation that is taking place. This is a guard against pornography, overuse and misuse of the computer, and lack of discipline. We as parents need to quit letting the electronics be the interactors with our children, and acceopt the hard task of parenting.
2. Why is this a psychological addiction ? It sounds much more like a self disciplinen issue. For us as beleivers, it is an issue of the fruit of the Spirit (Self Control) and a stewardship issue. The way we spend our time is a reflection of our attitude toward God.
3. Video games foster interaction with a fantasy world, not the real world. A little play can go a long way. We have let the children and their play rule the day, instead of setting out reasonable goals for them. I grew up in a secular home at the time when TV was relatively new. Dad found out that I would hit the basement and watch TV when I got home from school. He laid down the law quickly : Get outside and run around, do activity, do productive work or play. No TV until after homework, which was after supper. Even in those days, there was the distraction of an electronic medium.
4. An article in World Magazine a few weeks ago noted that young ladies are learning life and study skills that will prepare them for responsible adulthood, while young men are learning to play video games. We are seeing a decline in higher education among young men, which does not bode well for the responsibility God lays upon us as men to accept responsibility for our families.
Dick Dayton
One mother said her 13-year-old son was so addicted to computer games he attended school only intermittently over the past two years and violently resisted attempts to remove him from the screen.
“He starts punching holes through the walls, throwing things around and threatening you … all this has to do with the most addictive game ‘World Of Warcraft,’” she said.
Not that many years ago, even non-Christian parents would not tolerate this kind of behavior for a minute. It’s amazing that so many parents are hostage to their children. Sounds like they are simply looking for a reason to medicate their discipline problems away. Which is the worse abuse, I wonder- beating a kid or turning them into a druggie?
Discussion