Internet Gaming Addiction Sweeps South Korea
October 7, 2005 12:31 p.m. EST
Christina Ficara - All Headline News Staff Reporter
Seoul, South Korea (AHN) - Psychologists and the South Korean community are raising concerns over a new kind of addiction surfacing across the country.
With the country's rate of high-speed Internet access, the unlimited realm of competition available on the Web, and the prize incentives, Internet gaming proves a looming addiction.
The Associated Press quotes one former 27-year-old game addict who says, "You have no life, you only focus on gaming, putting off everything."
The AP reports 35 percent of South Korea's 17 million gamers are obsessive.
Participants, mainly males in their teens and 20s, play at popular Internet cafes for days without going home.
This summer, a 28-year-old man collapsed, and later died, after playing nearly 50 straight hours of online games.
South Korea has the world's highest rate of high-speed Internet access, at 70 percent. Despite concerns, the government is funding construction of the world's first e-sports stadium, where online competitions will be displayed on huge screens.
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7000419140
October 7, 2005 12:31 p.m. EST
Christina Ficara - All Headline News Staff Reporter
Seoul, South Korea (AHN) - Psychologists and the South Korean community are raising concerns over a new kind of addiction surfacing across the country.
With the country's rate of high-speed Internet access, the unlimited realm of competition available on the Web, and the prize incentives, Internet gaming proves a looming addiction.
The Associated Press quotes one former 27-year-old game addict who says, "You have no life, you only focus on gaming, putting off everything."
The AP reports 35 percent of South Korea's 17 million gamers are obsessive.
Participants, mainly males in their teens and 20s, play at popular Internet cafes for days without going home.
This summer, a 28-year-old man collapsed, and later died, after playing nearly 50 straight hours of online games.
South Korea has the world's highest rate of high-speed Internet access, at 70 percent. Despite concerns, the government is funding construction of the world's first e-sports stadium, where online competitions will be displayed on huge screens.
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7000419140