Recently, teenagers’ game addiction has become a serious social problem. A game shutdown system is being considered as a solution. The system is intended to protect teenagers who are under 16 years old from game addiction. There are pros and cons to the system.

pro

Nowadays, in many countries, teenagers’ game addiction is becoming a serious problem, and Korea is no exception. Because of game addiction, people can’t distinguish reality from a game world, and they only play games. As one solution to this problem, a game shutdown system is being considered. The game shutdown system will restrict the use of computers from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. for teenagers under the age of 16. To solve many problems, this system should come into force as quickly as possible.

First, teenagers under the age of 16 not only are not mature yet but also do not have the ability to control themselves. If they are addicted to games, they will have trouble in refraining from games. Game addicts can lose their lives because of sitting in front of a computer all day long. Although this system controls the usage of computers for only 6 hours, it can mitigate these problems.

Second, controlling the use of computers for only 6 hours out of 24 isn’t a heavy level. Because of the introduction of a game shutdown system, some people think that they will be deprived of their civil liberty to play games. They think that the freedom of the individual will be infringed. However, without this kind of control, solving the addiction problem is impossible.

Finally, according to a survey which examined how many people agree with this system, approval is more than 70 percent. More than 70 percent means that most people agree with this system and point it out as a solution to game addiction. People expect the government to implement this system and believe in and expect its positive effects. Thus, people have no objection to a game shutdown system.

Now, game addiction is a serious problem and proper solutions have to be suggested. We have to solve this problem as soon as possible. Of all the solutions, a game shutdown system is the most reliable. The government should enforce this system and put its effort into stopping game addiction.




con

Many accidents caused by game addiction have happened lately. The government is considering a game shutdown system to prevent game addiction spreading among teenagers. The game shutdown system will stop teenagers playing online games from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. This system is aimed at teenagers who are under 16 years old. However, I am against the system.

First, a game shutdown system could undermine teenagers’ cultural rights. Changing the law at this time blocks the leisure activities of the youth due to the possibility that game addiction could cause serious side effects on teenagers. However, teenagers have a right to enjoy life and play games freely.

Second, media organizations like CNN have predicted a game shutdown system will cause side effects such as teenagers stealing adults’ social security numbers to play online games from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. The Economist magazine said, “A game shutdown system can’t solve fundamental game addiction problems. The main reason for game addiction is a hard educational environment.”

Third, a game shutdown system does not reflect the opinion of teenagers. Although teenagers don’t have a vote, they have opinions. Therefore, they need to be respected as individual human beings.

Finally, Thailand is the only country which adopted a game shutdown system. In 2003, the Thai government let teenagers who are under 15 years old play computer games during weekdays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and during weekends and holidays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and teenagers who are from 15 years old to 18 years old from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. However, the system failed. That is because personal information was easily stolen. Many people sold personal information easily and cheaply over the Internet. Also more people enjoyed CD games instead of online games.

For these reasons, a game shutdown system will not solve teenagers’ game addiction. It is important that we prevent and cure game addiction rather than pass a bill.