Computer Games & TV Watching

As far as I know, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints takes no position about the playing of video games. The church does, however, take a position against the self-centered, selfish, aggressive behavior that is often associated with video games. LDS General Authorities have spoken out against one becoming addicted to video games, such that the person spends an inordinate amount of time playing the games.

In my mind, there are two questions about video games.

1. Do people become addicted to video games, such that they spend more time playing the games than they should?
   
2. Do video games influence a person, such that the person becomes bullish, aggressive, insensitive to other persons, etc.

I think there is a major sign that a person is becoming addicted to something, whether it be playing video games, viewing pornographic images, partaking of a particular food or beverage, or something else. That sign is that the person indulges in the thing and neglects other things of more importance. The person is becoming addicted when he or she voluntarily assigns greater importance and time to things that should have lessor importance. Elder David A. Bednar, of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, discusses addiction in the talk linked above, and he says the following.

Sadly, some young men and young women in the Church today ignore “things as they really are” and neglect eternal relationships for digital distractions, diversions, and detours that have no lasting value. My heart aches when a young couple—sealed together in the house of the Lord for time and for all eternity by the power of the holy priesthood—experiences marital difficulties because of the addicting effect of excessive video gaming or online socializing. A young man or woman may waste countless hours, postpone or forfeit vocational or academic achievement, and ultimately sacrifice cherished human relationships because of mind- and spirit-numbing video and online games. As the Lord declared, “Wherefore, I give unto them a commandment … : Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be known” (D&C 60:13).