A French campaign is causing a stir by mentioning video games in the same breath as drugs such as ecstasy and cocaine.
Gaming – a “hard” drug?
In recent years, video games have established themselves as a potential addictive substance among experts. In almost every larger German city, there are now counseling centers that, in addition to classic “gaming addiction” (in slot machines or casinos), now also further differentiate and treat issues such as “internet addiction” or “video game addiction” separately. While such differentiation is certainly useful for the affected individuals, one can also overstep the mark when trying to highlight these problems.
Last year, the French Institute for Prevention and Health Education launched a campaign to raise awareness among parents about the dangers of drugs and addictive substances. As suspected: Correct, video games fall into exactly this category. They are mentioned in the same breath as “other drugs.”
“Alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, video games and tobacco… We are here to talk about it and manage the situation,” says one of the slogans.
Rather sad than amusing, the campaign reaches its peak in its commercials, such as with “Nico.” You should really see for yourself how video games are portrayed here.
Mein-MMO says: That video games have quite an appeal and that the term “addictive factor” is often even used as a positive trait is now well-established knowledge among gamers. And even if video game addiction is indeed a topic that should be treated and prevention seems quite appropriate, it is still very strange to place it alongside physical dependencies like alcohol or cocaine. Ultimately, the campaign probably wanted to achieve one thing: attention. And it has succeeded, albeit again to the detriment of gamers. They have to once again endure a stigmatization.
