UK Video Games Body "We Can Help" with Gaming Addiction

Andy Payne, the Chairman of the trade organisation for the UK games industry, UKIE, has stated that it would be willing to look at the evidence and research relating to proving gaming as an addiction among avid gamesplayers.

"If people are finding they've got problems in their lives, and we can help solve those problems", Payne told the BBC.

He explained that the games industry should be willing to pay towards research into the potential harm that extensive games playing can cause and said that:

"I do think we need more research and we're very open into receiving that. Let's be open and see what's out there.

"If people are finding they've got problems in their lives, and we can help solve those problems, then we should be able to do something positive about it."

Payne also reinforced that there is lots of evidence supporting the positive effects of spending time playing games (such as helping sufferers of post-
traumatic stress get over horrible events in their lives).

Do you think Payne and the UKIE are taking the correct approach with supporting research into games addiction? Or does it just take a stern parent to take the controller out of their child's hands and say "enough for now, maybe a little later"? Any thoughts, please post them below.

Source: BBC