Video Game Addiction On The Rise?

A new study from Iowa State University suggests that kids can become addicted to video games, and that nearly 10 percent of American children who play video games regularly, show signs of addiction.

Early Show medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton sat down with Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith to address many parents' concerns.

According to Ashton, it's really 8.5 percent, which she says "does sound high" and is "alarming."

The national study, which looked at 1,178 U.S. children and teens (ages 8 to 18), was conducted using the same criteria used to define addictive behaviors.

"They used gambling as the model. Because there are a lot of similarities," she said.

The researchers found that their children's addiction affects their schoolwork, disrupts interaction with family and friends and poses health problems.

Children were given a questionnaire to find out if they have an addiction and if they received six or more in the affirmative, then that means he or she has a problem.

To take a quiz to see if your child is addicted to video games, and to see the study itself, click here.

To hear more of this story and to find out what the warning signs are for video addiction, click the Play button below.

[friends1013]

can't i have this new's script if you can please send to my e-mail ~!

[friends1013]

can't i have this new's script if you can please send to my e-mail ~!

[videoparent2]

I solved this problem for my kids with a very simple strategy, I got a Time's Up timer from productblizzard.com. It's a basic mechanical device that locks the cord into a little timer that you set once a week with the kid's allotment of time for the week. When they use up their time during the week they have to wait until the beginning of the following week again. If they behave they get more time, if they don't behave then you can dock time out. It warns you when there's 5 minutes left. Works like a charm and under $30. Just my two cents.