Gaming the System: Gaming Addiction & Screen Time

If you watch internet porn, it might be time to start rethinking. Regardless of whether you watch it once a week or 3 times a day, it can have long-lasting damaging effects. Effects that today's guest, Gabe Deem, knows all too well. He started watching internet porn at the ripe old age of 12, and from that, it spiralled into an uncontrollable addiction. It got so bad that he ended up developing er...

If you asked me this question 15 years ago, I'd probably answer it with a resounding no. However, in recent years the gaming industry has shifted towards an approach that focuses on broken, microtransaction-filled, free-to-play games full of mechanics that are cleverly implemented in order to keep you hooked. As it turns out, there are a load of psychological tactics game developers use in order t...

If you spend any amount of time on the internet you'll soon start to see how prevalent porn is in our modern world. The rise in smartphone technology and high-speed internet has made porn more easily accessible than ever before in history. This has unsurprisingly led to a huge number of problems. One of those issues is porn addiction. As it turns out, gamers tend to watch a lot of porn. So much so...

Nadja Streiter is a therapist, parent coach and Director of Programs at Game Quitters.  On this episode of Gaming the System she joins me in a discussion about whether or not parents are to blame for their child's addiction. On the internet, the first thing that people criticize when gaming disorder gets mentioned is the parents. It's eas understand why. The parents are responsible for the child's...

Instant gratification is probably the number 1 drug of the modern generation. You really can't escape it. With smartphones always within arms reach, and an unlimited number of worlds ready to be explored at home or on the move, it's no wonder a human's attention span is now less than a Goldfish. The problem with instant gratification, or a lack of delayed gratification, is that once you become acc...

If I had a dollar for every time someone said to me "playing video games is no worse than watching Netflix" I'd probably have about $200 give or take... But, is there any truth to it? Well, kind of... The problem is television isn't designed to be hyper-stimulating, unlike video games. You don't get pop-ups rewarding you for playing for a long time, you're not being challenged, and most of the tim...

Ed Latimore is a heavyweight boxer, author, and physics major who transformed himself from someone battling with a heavy alcohol addiction into the inspiring, passionate, and knowledgeable man he is today. Using the experiences he has gained throughout his life, he regularly provides advice to thousands of people every day through his Twitter page, his live speaking events and his regular newslett...

How many times have you tried to take up a new activity, only to give up after a few weeks or months? You're not alone. So why is it that you can go for 16 hours straight on a video game but can't maintain the focus to build new skills? By the way, the podcast is only a fraction of what's contained in the blog post! Make sure to read it here ! In this episode of Gaming the System, James explores h...

While in the middle of recording another episode, it dawned on me that it has been exactly 30 days since I embarked on a new chapter in my life and moved to Thailand to work for myself. It hasn't been without its struggles (listen out for the story of why I burst into tears in my flat), but comparing myself now to who I was 2 months ago is like night and day. I'm happier, more focused, relaxed, de...

As someone that has struggled with both depression and gaming addiction, I've definitely had thought about whether or not they're connected. I've even been asked a number of times "did gaming make you depressed?". I've had a lot of time to think about this question, and that led me to make this podcast episode. Spoilers: Gaming doesn't make you depressed. However, being addicted to gaming is defin...

When people quit gaming, they're suddenly left with so much free time they have no idea what to do with it. As a result, they deem their detox a failure and go back to gaming. "I don't think I was meant to  quit gaming." Usually, people end up going back to video games because they didn't put the systems in place beforehand to enable them to maintain a sense of direction after they quit and start...

This episode is a must-listen whether you're a gaming addict, parent, or loved one. There's so much information and great advice it's hard to know where to start. 2 years after arriving on Episode #14 of the Game Quitters podcast, Jared Webb comes on to talk to James about his journey through the ups and downs of conquering gaming addiction. We discuss what it's like to raise a son and how he's go...

ESports. You either love them or you hate them. Or, in most cases, you have no idea what they are. With the recent success of the Fortnite World Cup, which saw 16-year-old 'Bugha' walk away with $3,000,000 in prize money, a number of discussions have been brought up around the topic of electronic sports. Should the be banned? Are they bad for our health? They're good for us... You get the idea. In...

The first episode of our new podcast, Gaming the System! We've kept all of the old Game Quitters podcast episodes that you loved, we're just adding to them with these. On this episode, James discusses the recent controversies in the crossover world of gaming and gambling. Covering topics such as the GTA Casino, manipulating users to spend more money, and the prevalence of gambling in games markete...

This week BBC Radio5 Live did a full feature segment on video game addiction featuring Game Quitters Founder, Cam Adair, member from the UK, Matus, and a parent from our community named Giovanna. It also featured Head Counselor of The Cabin's Edge Program (residential treatment for gaming addiction)John Logan, and Headmaster Robert Tegan from The Cedars School in the UK. Hope you enjoy it, and if...

Over the past week there has been a lot happening in the video games industry around potential regulations, especially around loot boxes, so I sat down for an interview with Christopher Hansford who works as the Political Engagement Director of Consumers for Digital Fairness to share the latest on legislative efforts around the gaming industry and what it means for gamers and gaming addicts alike....

In this episode of the Game Quitters Podcast Cam goes on a solo monologue, live from a hostel bed in Lisbon, Portugal. This one is different. Hope you enjoy it, and if you do, please share it on social media, like it on SoundCloud, and subscribe for a new episode every Thursday. Shownotes available on: gamequitters.com/podcast Support the podcast on Patreon: patreon.com/gamequitters

In this episode of the Game Quitters Podcast we share an interview that happened recently on Soul Bro Radio. It's a really interesting conversation that not only covers gaming addiction but other aspects we don't always talk about on the podcast or in other interviews. Hope you enjoy it, and if you do, please share it on social media, like it on SoundCloud, and subscribe for a new episode every Th...

In this episode of the Game Quitters Podcast we sit down with Jackie Knechtel, co-founder of the Flow Consciousness Institute to talk about how to create magic, including the story behind how Cam and Jackie somehow managed to find themselves at a beach house in Arrifana, Portugal with five bedrooms, a hot tub, pool, and ocean view. If you enjoy the episode, please share it on social media, like it...

Have you ever binged watched an entire season of a TV show or powered your way through the main story of a video game? What if you could use that same mentality and binge on productivity instead? In this episode of the Game Quitters Podcast we'll give you 6 steps that you can start using right away to train your brain to become an unstoppable productivity-binging machine! We'll show you how to cre...

In this episode of the Game Quitters Podcast Cam interviews Brianna Greenspan, co-author of The Miracle Morning. How do you persevere when you live with chronic illness? We discuss that and much more, including The Miracle Morning, avoiding apathy, supporting kids with terminal illnesses, and what life is like for the sibling of a video game addict. If you enjoy the episode, please share it on soc...

In this episode of the Game Quitters Podcast Cam interviews Jeffrey Platts, a men's relationship coach to talk about how to build more confidence and develop more meaningful relationships. They also talk about current obstacles men struggle with in life, and whether you should join the "PUA" community to improve your dating life. An episode with a number of comedic moments, we hope you enjoy it. I...

In this episode of the Game Quitters Podcast, Cam and Jason discuss whether college and university is worth your time, energy, and effort, with special guest RJ Carter. With high student loans, and so many college students struggling to balance gaming with their studies, we wanted to share tips and strategies for making this big decision in your life. Be sure to listen until the end for a 5-point...

In this episode of the Game Quitters Podcast, Cam and special guest, former NFL Cheerleader Amber Valdez talk about how gaming brought them together halfway across the world in Tanzania, Africa. They talk about why they are there, and Amber also shares her opinion on whether or not the "gamer stereotype" is accurate, how to build your self-esteem and confidence, how to overcome challenges and adve...

In this episode of the Game Quitters Podcast, Jason and special guest Jared share about their experience completing the 90 Day Detox, including challenges they had to overcome, strategies that helped them be successful, and other tips and tactics you can use to be successful on your journey to quit gaming for 90 days. If you like the episode, please share it on social media and subscribe for a new...