Pretty sure the problem is the kids who aren’t getting sleep or doing their homework (ie being an informed citizen).
But great that that’s only a small amount of gamers and yes if it suits, build a career around it.

I'm a professional game designer. ESports is a great hobby that can open professional doors. No, really.

In addition to recreational games -- board games, video games -- game design has many professional applications as well. Educational games are a thing. So are professional wargames. If you're on this forum, chances are you're in the DC area, and chances are some of the parents of your classmates have participated in some form of professional wargaming. Wargaming techniques aren't just used by the military; they're used for policy analysis, pandemic planning, USG training, even in the private sector. Serious games are everywhere these days, and crazy as it might sound to non-gamers, some of the skills kids pick up through ESports are directly translatable to career skills later.

And for those kids who just like gaming -- let them like gaming, what the hell. It's a hobby like any other. I don't buy this talk about addiction and dopamine. We get dopamine hits from everything that makes us happy -- it's not just games and electronics. It's the parents who don't know how to play the games that think the games themselves are somehow dangerous.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gamers.

Yep. Trying to turn an addiction into a school PE requirement, nice!

Can we just stop with the addiction thing? Not everything someone enjoys is an "addiction" just because you don't like it. People who have real addictions can become addicted to anything: gambling, shopping, drugs, alcohol, sex, cigarettes, sugar, porn, smartphones, snapchat, TikTok, food, exercise, hair pulling, eating dirt, shoplifting. Is everyone who gambles, shops, smokes pot, has a glass of wine, has a smart phone, exercises regularly, or has sex, etc. etc. etc. an addict? No. Same with gaming. It can be harmless, social, a hobby or a job.

Whatever you say. No opportunity cost during screen time at home or school or all night. Nada.

Did you ever watch TV? Do you know some "video games" are actually interactive books? Or that some are extremely complex logic puzzles? Have you ever tried to rebuild your home town in Minecraft? Do you even know anything about the broader industry?

Did you know that kids can translate "Commentarii de Bello Gallico" and then play video games to relax? Maybe recreate Gaul in Minecraft for fun?

Super, go monetize that.

Esports are to wizards what traditional athletics are to muggles, basically.

Arguing with the muggles about whether or not esports are a worthwhile activity is a waste of time and effort. They'll never get it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gamers.

Yep. Trying to turn an addiction into a school PE requirement, nice!

Can we just stop with the addiction thing? Not everything someone enjoys is an "addiction" just because you don't like it. People who have real addictions can become addicted to anything: gambling, shopping, drugs, alcohol, sex, cigarettes, sugar, porn, smartphones, snapchat, TikTok, food, exercise, hair pulling, eating dirt, shoplifting. Is everyone who gambles, shops, smokes pot, has a glass of wine, has a smart phone, exercises regularly, or has sex, etc. etc. etc. an addict? No. Same with gaming. It can be harmless, social, a hobby or a job.

Whatever you say. No opportunity cost during screen time at home or school or all night. Nada.

Did you ever watch TV? Do you know some "video games" are actually interactive books? Or that some are extremely complex logic puzzles? Have you ever tried to rebuild your home town in Minecraft? Do you even know anything about the broader industry?

Did you know that kids can translate "Commentarii de Bello Gallico" and then play video games to relax? Maybe recreate Gaul in Minecraft for fun?

Anonymous wrote:Screen dopamine hits are addicting, especially to ADHD or ASD kids.

And to the rest of the world? No one said it isn't addicting to anyone, but it isn't to everyone.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gamers.

Yep. Trying to turn an addiction into a school PE requirement, nice!

Can we just stop with the addiction thing? Not everything someone enjoys is an "addiction" just because you don't like it. People who have real addictions can become addicted to anything: gambling, shopping, drugs, alcohol, sex, cigarettes, sugar, porn, smartphones, snapchat, TikTok, food, exercise, hair pulling, eating dirt, shoplifting. Is everyone who gambles, shops, smokes pot, has a glass of wine, has a smart phone, exercises regularly, or has sex, etc. etc. etc. an addict? No. Same with gaming. It can be harmless, social, a hobby or a job.

Whatever you say. No opportunity cost during screen time at home or school or all night. Nada.

Screen dopamine hits are addicting, especially to ADHD or ASD kids.