Fact: Video games are not just in the business of "fun" anymore. In 2002, the video game industry generated $10.3 billion in record-breaking sales, surpassing the film industry.

"long term depression and sadness..."

Fact: Publishers exploit cute, huggable and lovable franchises such as Pokemon and Splinter Cell, in hopes of hooking more potential gamers in today's youth. This is the same strategy practiced in the tobacco industry.

Fact: Video games are proven to prevent proper development of social interactive skills which is needed for a happy enjoyable life. Gamers who pick up a controller very early in their lives are the most prone to life long burdens such as long term depression and sadness.

Fact: Psychological studies have proven that, even the most casual teen gamers are affected by video games and suffer from low self esteem issues compared to their more athletic and social peers. The studies also revealed, younger gamers were more likely to become lifetime addicts and social outcasts.

Fact: Very hardcore gamers are known as "underground." Illegally downloading video games, multimedia, and software, known as warez, is the only acceptable standard of living in the underground culture.

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Symptom: Teen spends many hours in front of the computer
This is the most classic sign of gaming addiction. A teen spends the majority of his free time indoors on the computer, only taking breaks for snacks and the bathroom. This behavior is commonly known as "grinding" and "farming," and typically lasts several hours to an entire evening. In the most extreme cases, it may lead to an out-of-control 24 hour gaming binge.

It is highly recommend that a teens bedroom be absent of all forms of electronic devices: personal computers, printers, video game console systems, television sets, cellular telephones, clock-radios, battery recharger’s, and calculators.

Encourage your teen to be more active outdoors. Take necessary steps to arrange activities for them: schedule play dates after school, a party at your home, or even sign up your teen for an after school sport or activity.

Symptom: Poor school grades
A typical report card of a gamer:

Never assume drugs or otherwise is responsible for your teens poor academic performance. Video game addiction should not be underestimated. It is a problematic epidemic plaguing students worldwide.

Symptom: Role Playing
Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPG) are a digital escape for those emotionally unattached to their surroundings and others. It is a place of gathering in a virtual reality world, home to millions of socially inept and outcast individuals. These fantasy world's provide a false sense of security where one can journey freely without feeling discouraged by the harsh realities of their real life.

MMORPG's severely affects a persons mental and physical well being: increased anxiety and irritability, argumentative, paranoia, sudden gain or loss in appetite and weight, "raiding" behavior, impaired judgment, sadness and depression, loss of interest in appearance, and sleeplessness.

MMORPG's are the most addictive genre of video games and are developed around that concept. Developers and publishers take advantage of its addictive quality’s to profit on hefty monthly service charges and costly expansion packs. We caution parents to never hand out credit card information and check for suspicious monthly charges.

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Danger: Do video games make people violent?
Yes. What was once debatable is now a proven fact. Researchers have conclusively proven a relationship between behavioral violence and video game violence.

Danger: Do video games teach people how to kill?
Yes. When video games were linked to a high school shooting, a frenzy of research was launched to gather facts and investigate links between shooting violence and video games. Research concluded that first person shooter video games train players for killing. This research was proven so conclusive that the United States Army developed a popular free recruitment video game used as a virtual boot camp and killing simulator.

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