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Put Down the Controller: Doctors Target Video Games

Look out Microsoft and Nintendo, the American Medical Association is thinking about classifying video game addiction as a formal disorder, and urging gamers to play two hours or less a day.

Later this month, members of the doctors group will vote on whether to take the step and they probably won't stop there. The group plans to lobby the Federal Trade Commission for better ratings on video games.

Apparently, doctors have grown concerned about fallout from the nation's obsession with Halo and other video games. Between 70 and 90 percent of kids play video games, the doctor group said, citing outside data.

The damage, though, goes beyond sore thumbs and tired eyes.

"Unfortunately, the (video game) industry's predisposition toward age-inappropriate imaging and marketing techniques has led to concerns about untoward side effects, ranging from physical symptoms such as seizures and tendonitis, to socially maladaptive behaviors such as increased short-term aggressiveness and overuse syndromes," the AMA's Council on Science and Public Health wrote in a report.

Doctors also have their eyes on fruit juice and soda. The AMA says members will consider a plan to limit use of high fructose syrups.

The association will vote on the video game proposal later this month.

Posted by at June 13, 2007 4:50 p.m.
Comments
#36896

Posted by 8bitjoystick at 6/14/07 3:46 p.m.

Where is the AMAs classification for Television Addiction? Honestly I think that they are unfairly targeting Video-games while ignoring a fifty year plus long social illness that affects millions.

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