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Gaming addiction

(4 Posts)
OlderNoWiser Fri 18-Dec-15 17:28:22

On behalf of a friend I am wondering whether anyone here has any experience with online gaming addiction?

Her now 19-year-old grandson dropped out of grammar school at the age of 16 despite the fact that he was doing reasonably well, in favour of a college "media studies" course, which he did not complete either. Since then he has been unemployed, does the minimum of what is required to keep up his benefits payments, and appears to spend the rest of his life in bed with his XBox, playing online games. He has no friends, no other interests, and does not appear to be interested in the real world.
His parents are divorced and he lives with his father, who also spends most of his time playing these games, which was one of the reasons for the divorce.

It seems quite obvious to me that this boy has an addiction problem, but his family (including my friend) assume he's just lazy and can't be bothered to find a job.

What do you think - does anyone have experience with this sort of thing?

tanith Fri 18-Dec-15 17:47:39

My 18yr old grandson was very similar he did sign on when his college course finished and he is now on a 6mth sort of apprenticeship sorry I don't know exactly what its called but for 2days he works on council parks projects, 2 days in college and 1 day completing a bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme... he is really enjoying it. The job centre said there was no option to taking this course for six months with at least something to add to his CV including a work record.
They won't allow him to continue just signing on and collecting the money for very long I don't think.

OlderNoWiser Fri 18-Dec-15 18:14:35

Let's hope so tanith, as it sounds a dreadful waste of a young life to me.

mumofmadboys Fri 18-Dec-15 23:57:42

Older, could your friends grandson be suffering from depression? He sounds socially isolated and may have low self esteem issues. It sounds as if he needs help.