Video Game warning

[Guest Diane]

Hi everyone. My son got an "interactive" video game (from a relative) for X-Mas where you stand on a snowboard-like board, and move like you are snowboarding, and the image on the TV mimics your movements...as if you are snowboarding down a real hill. I was reluctant to let him have it (not crazy about video games - this was going to be a video-less X-Mas) but he was excited and the image was not a flickering one. However, was I ever surprised at the warning that came on the instruction manual. It was the first time I have seen such a warning on a video game, and I think it should be on them all (if it is not already). The warning reads as follows, in part:

 

"Warning: Epilepsy and Seizures - read before operating...a few people may experience epileptic seizures while watching TV pictures when viewing flashing lights or patterns in our daily environment. These people may experience seizures while watching TV pictures or playing video games. Players who have not had any seizures may nonetheless have an undetected epileptic condition.

 

"Consult your physician before playing video games if you have an epileptic condition, or experience any of the following symptoms while playing video games: altered vision, EYE OR MUSCLE TWITCHING (my caps), OTHER INVOLUNTARY MOVEMENTS (my caps), loss of awareness of your surroundings, mental confusion and/or convulsions."

 

It's clear that even the gaming industry knows that these games can make these conditions worse, or cause them to appear where previously undetected.

If you weren't a believer before, you've got to be now!

 

This toy went back in the box and is going back to the store.....

 

Diane

[Claire]

Diane,

 

When I first noticed this correlation just over 3 years ago, a friend of mine that I discussed it with told me about the game warnings--like you I was taken aback. Not just video games, but even Gameboys have this warning (a friend sent me a copy of the label back then). Back then they even used the word 'tics'. They said if you saw tics or facial or eye twitches, stop immediately, or you could have a seizure. They then say 'only 1 in 4000' get seizures. Since then a neurologist sent me an article (posted somewhere here) that 8% of the non-epileptic population have an abnormal brain reaction to flicker. All this is buried in 8 month old posts here that no one would see, so thanks for posting your find.

 

How are your kids doing with the TV/computer balance these days. I know you posted some time ago that you have known about this trigger for some time, but that was a struggle with them (not surprising given their ages--it is so much easier with younger children!)

 

How are they doing in general? I hope all is well.

 

Claire

[Guest Diane]

Hi Claire

 

Thanks for asking about my boys. I read here often, but don't always have something to post! They are doing pretty good, my youngest does not have any eye tics, but my oldest still has a stubborn eye wink, which sometimes can get pretty pronounced. It is clearly made worse by video games. It has been a real daily struggle for me to get him off (he is 14 yrs old). However, slowly (and with a lot of conflict between us!) I have managed to show him the correlation between the worsening of his eye blink, and the amount of time/types of games he plays. He now mostly plays a non-flashing game (similar to Sims) and we try and limit the time he is on, but still it is a daily struggle between us. He would almost prefer living with the tic, than giving up the game.

 

My youngest started up playing Game Boy again over the Christmas holidays, and as is typical of TS, he quickly started overdoing it, became "addicted", started rubbing his eyes and blinking quickly. I have taken it away and hid it. He complained for a couple of days and now has stopped talking about it.

 

Hope your family had a good Christmas

Diane