FCC commissioner: Warcraft is a "leading cause" of college dropouts
Posted by Cory Doctorow, December 12, 2008 12:21 AM | permalink
An FCC commissioner has stated that video game "addiction," especially to World of Warcraft, is a "leading cause" of college dropouts. (Nevermind that 90% of the people diagnosed with "video game addiction" don't have any such condition, even according to the crazily broad definition used by its proponents).

With the explosion of educational resources available online, one might think parents would be 100% pleased with the internet’s role in their children’s lives. But surveys show just the opposite: a late 2006 survey that showed 59% of parents think the internet has been a totally positive influence in their children’s lives-- down from 67% in 2004.

You might find it alarming that one of the top reasons for college drop-outs in the U.S. is online gaming addiction - such as World of Warcraft - which is played by 11 million individuals worldwide.

Addictions is a disease it is not what you addicted to that makes you an addict because if it wasn't video game it would be something else. Some people have it in them to be addicts whatever the addiction is (drugs, alcohol, gambling, video game, sex ect) and it just depends of what is around in your world to influence your addict genes.

I am addicted to Mingle, but I am not a college drop out

I come on to mingle every day to look at Lynann's pic.

I'm a college drop out and I play world of warcraft. Thankfully I started playing warcraft after I dropped out of school. And its true, online games are highly addictive. I play warcraft for at least 2hrs a day. Much more on my days off. Don't get me wrong I have a life, but I do spend a lot of time playing. People have to understand that games like warcraft aren't just used for entertainment. They are also used as a social networking tool. I have had the chance to meet quite a few of the people I play with online. They range in ages from 17 to 46 and have varying professions. Most of these people have families. Is it an addiction? Yes, without a doubt. I just think people have to expand their views on the topic.

I played that damn game from Beta until just before the last expansion came out ... no wonder I'm single


It is a damn good game, but yes, very addictive. I lost a bit of my social life to it ... and to those with interest in trying it .. my suggestion is stay away.

Yeah, yeah, so everyone says... I'm still gonna start playing in January, anyway.