Thailand debates on gaming-associated problems

GAMES SHOW THEIR DARK SIDE
Bangkok Post, 5th Oct, 2005

Thailand is seeing a rise in gaming-associated problems, but not everyone is convinced of the cause and effect While the rapid growth of the computer game business may be good economically, psychologists are increasingly concerned that it can cause serious problems among young people, with many suggesting that gaming is comparable with gambling _ the more one plays, the more one becomes addicted. Software game developers, as you might expect, have a more positive view of gaming, however. Dr Sirichai Hongsanguansri, from the Department of Psychiatry at Ramathibodi Hospital, has conducted research into the behaviour of computer gamers and associated problems. He noted that many Thai children are obssessed with playing games in a way similar to youths in other parts of the world such as South Korea, the US and Europe. In some of these cases, there have even been reported deaths from playing computer games, such as the Korean boy who played online games for 48 hours consecutively. Dr Sirichai said that sitting for too long playing games can in extreme cases cause blood clots and heart attacks. Playing games can also lead to other negative impacts, such as affecting a child's sleeping cycle. Most games-addicted youths spend upwards of four hours a day playing games, and this causes them to lose the opportunity to do things in other areas. While the average playing time of American youths is around 10 to 13 hours a week, Thais spend more time playing than that."Games addiction resembles gambling and drug addictions _ playing one game tends to lead to another one and another one," Dr Sirichai said, adding that some children intended to stop but could not do so by themselves. Discipline needed According to psychotherapist Dr Wallop Piyamanotham, who has worked with young people at many institutes, children who have problems mostly lack discipline in life, and are often confused, aggressive and lack human relationships.However, the lack of discipline can be solved and game addiction was controllable. Youths with problems need to set goals _ in their personal life, in their family, in study, at work, in society and in financial matters.Dr Wallop suggested that children would quit playing games if they had other activities. They also need good human relationships in family and school. Schools have to teach children to manage their time _ they can play games, but with time restrictions. According to Dr Chatree Vitoonchart of Sirirach Hospital, the games themselves are created using methods of attracting children so a solution should use the same approach, which is rewarding them step by step.He said that cyber pathology therapy (CPT) was one way of adjusting the behaviour of game addicts and would take between three and 12 months. Considering that the worldwide game industry is estimated to be worth US$20 billion in 2005 and is reaching children everywhere, Dr Chatree suggested that games should have a warning sign and a rating on them. The government and ICT Ministry should also look at educating users, showing the good and bad points and suggesting playing times. Dr Chatree added that about one-quarter of parents whose children play games do not control their playing time. "If you let your children play games, you must control the time and don't let them buy the programs themselves," he suggested.Positive aspects Others are not so convinced that games are bad. Chanin Vanijwongse, marketing director of Cyber Planet Interactive, has experienced a lot of games over the past decade and said it represents a huge opportunity for Thai developers. He would like to develop Thai-branded games and export them to other countries. There are some 30 to 40 game companies here, and games can be a creative outlet for both software developers and players. The growth is also feeding into game designers, programmers and graphic specialists.Cyber Planet itself has sales revenue of over 100 million baht and some of its games have been exported.Anond Tangsatitporn is a science student at Chulalongkorn University and the developer of a game called "Yuth." He also earned second prize in the National Software Competition 2005. According to Anond, games allowed him to apply what he learned in class into game development. "I would like to have the science and technology of games included in education, say by having a subject like Games Development in the Faculty of Engineering," he said, noting that intellectual property protection is the best way to promote this industry in Thailand. "Why don't we let children play games without feeling guilty? Games can lead to idea development," he said.However, Anond also suggested that games companies and service providers should be concerned with ethics as well as revenue. One of the problems is that there is no laws that directly affect this new medium. The Government has proposed using the "Tape and Television Business Control 1987" regulations in the short term, but in the meantime it needs to draft more appropriate laws. This is being undertaken by the Interior Ministry in conjunction with the ICT and Culture ministries.In addition, the Education Ministry and the Social Development and Human Security Ministry will also work on the draft where it affects children.To deal with the issues more effectively in the long term, the Culture Ministry is also drafting a law regulating tape, TV, movies and online games, which it is now submitting to the Council of State. The new law is expected to combine the 1987 Tape Material and Television Business Control Act and the Act of Movies 1930, as well as add specific controls regarding Internet cafes.The draft will set standards for Internet cafe licences, such as using legal software programs and not allowing people under 18 years to enter before 2pm and after 10pm. They will also not be allowed to play more than three hours continuously or consume cigarettes or alcohol on the premises.Dr Suchart Tantanadaecha, who represents the ICT Ministry, noted that it can be hard to define which games are good and which are bad, with many just playing a game for fun. But those that make their living off games do not get addicted. It is the people that do get addicted that need the protection of the government, he said."The law is the last thing you can rely on for this matter because the present law controls radio, television and tape, but does not cover hard disks," Dr Suchart said, noting that any new law would be complicated and depend on several different ministries.Instead of regulating Internet cafes, the ICT ministry should ask them for their co-operation to turn their outlets into learning centers for children.The ICT Ministry will have a meeting with the Internet Cafe Association soon to try to agree on minimum standards together.