Citing "the encouragement of addictive gaming," the government of Thailand recently shut down approximately 72 websites "offering access to online gambling and games." The decision was made shortly after the tragic suicide of 12-year-old Pongsathorn Wattanabenjasopha, allegedly caused by his father banning him from playing PC games.

While a variety of studies have simultaneously "proven" and "disproven" the addictive properties of video games, Bundit Sornpaisarn, director of the Rajanagarindra Child and Adolescent Mental Health Institute, told the Bangkok Post, "The boy's suicide reflected that children who were addicted to games and had an aggressive mentality were more likely to commit suicide than others." While we're not sure of the correlation with video games in Mr. Sornpaisarn's statement or why shutting down gaming/gambling websites in Thailand is the response to a child's suicide, we extend our condolences to everyone affected by the events.

[Via GamePolitics]

Let's face it, folks, game addiction is hot. We've all read the stories, some of them funny and others tragic. And then, of course, there are the scare pieces. Enter Australia's Herald Sun, which declares that gaming addiction is on its way to becoming a national health problem. The article notes that "psychologists" are claiming that gaming addiction is affecting a growing number of Australians and the headline even proclaims "Tech addicts playing video games for up to 10 hours a day."

The source, apparently, is one psychologist by the name of William Campos. Said Campos, "I had one patient who was so involved with one game called World of Warcraft and would play it up to eight [to] ten hours a day.'' To clarify: That's one psychologist referring to one patient.

Furthermore, in reaction to a statement from the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia, which claims that gaming addiction is "not a lasting obsession for the majority" of players, the article claims that the games industry is "in denial." We won't deny that gaming addiction is a problem for some gamers, but to imply that the majority of players are addicts -- which the Herald Sun has done by calling the IEAA's statement denial -- is simply fallacious.

Then again, maybe we're just in denial.

China's General Administration of Press and Publication claims that the government's anti-game-addiction program is proving successful, as evidenced by new statistics released by the China Youth Social Service Center this week.

According to the CYSSC, the proportion of people under the age of 18 playing online games has dropped 7 percent, to 15 percent of the total online gaming population in China. Fewer kids playing online games apparently translates to less game addiction.

The program requires online game producers to discourage online play for more than three hours by reducing game credits by half after that period. In addition, players are required to register with their real names in order to verify their age.

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

Video game addiction is a serious problem. Well, its not, but let's pretend it is. This crippling addiction apparently has such a hold on the children of Vietnam, that a clinic to help kids kick the habit has just opened there. There are currently around 50 patients there, all between the ages of 13 and 18 and all being taught to divert their interest to more fruitful pursuits like music and art.

At the top of this post, you'll find the very first result from the "Vietnamese music" search on YouTube. Watch it and see if you can blame those poor kids for wanting to get their Zerg rush on.

Today's episode of Dr. Phil (check your local listings) will deal with game addiction. GamePolitics notes that guests on the show will include Liz Woolley, founder of Online Gamers Anonymous, whose son killed himself playing Everquest; Wendy Kaye, wife of SOCOM's lead designer; and several others.

Some of the people covered in today's show include a husband who ignores his whole family and a guy who is $24,000 in debt due to his addiction. Check out some clips of the show at the Dr. Phil website.

[Via GamePolitics]