Korean govt estimates over 1m addicts in 2005, a drop since 2004
This from an article in the San Fransisco Chronicle on Dec 18, 2006:
Korea, which now sports over 100 game addiction treatment centers, has reported massive declines in addiction.
The percentage of addicts has declined from 3.3 to 2.4 percent of the population, from 2004 to 2005, after a government public education campaign and the expansion of its treatment centers, which are administered under the government’s Korea Agency for Digital Opportunity & Promotion.
Little information is available to most Westerners regarding Korea’s nationalized programs and their criteria for gaming addiction. Interviews leave the impression that their level of understanding may mimic our own: which would mean that research is either nonexistent, or brand spanking new and peppered with the concept “Internet addiction.” A counselor at Korea’s Center for Internet Addiction Prevention and Counseling seems to hold the view, disputed by many in the West, that personal problems are most often the root cause for addiction to a game.
“The problem is not the Internet, but something basic in life is wrong,” said Kim, whose clients typically visit her once a week for six months. “Even after the treatment, they need to use the Internet. It’s necessary in Korea. But they have to learn how to manage their time and how to control themselves.”
It doesn’t make sense for Korea, China, the US or any of the other highly wired countries in the world to undertake this research alone. It makes even less sense when you consider the penetration of the English language in other countries, especially Korea. While up to this point I’ve pretty much just advocated interdisciplinary research, international information sharing could be of great benefit to everybody.
I’m interested in learning more about the perception and treatment of addiction overseas. If you have any insights that you don’t mind sharing, then email me. I’d love to hear about them.
Neils Clark :: Dec.21.2006 :: Game Addiction, Games ::
I am very interested in making contacts with mental health clincians in various Asian countries to learn specifics about their assessment techniques and treatment programs. Thanks for sharing this. I wonder how they are measuring the “drop” since ‘04? If this is true, something is working…or shall we say something is “happening”?