Education experts are increasingly worried about the number of students who seem to be addicted to online games.

Online games discourage students from outdoor activities and social functions.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, around 2,950 students in the metropolitan area are “gaming addicts”.

The negative effects are difficult to quantify. However, according to Nguyen Pham Minh Thu, Deputy Principle of Trung Vuong High School in District No. 1, “Online games discourage students from outdoor activities and social functions.”

Nguyen Anh Phuong, Deputy Principal of a high school in Binh Thanh District agrees, saying, “I’ve seen an increasing number of students who neglect their studies, or even drop out completely, because of their gaming habits.”

A joining of forces needed

Duong Van Ba, Director of Students Affairs Department recommends that parent, teachers and school administrators coordinate to combat the problem. “Schools should make an effort to discourage students from playing violent games in particular. But parents would also have to play a crucial role in monitoring their children,” she said.

Nguyen Anh Phuong, Deputy Principle of Thanh Da High School, called for more drastic measures. “A ban should be placed on any games that involve violence or weapons. There is no need to wait for official criteria to identify these games, because if we wait there could be serious consequences,” he said.

Phuong also suggested that the police should carefully control internet cafes where young people often go to play such games.