Video games addiction is 'real' in Jersey

There is a "real" concern in Jersey that some young people on the island may be addicted to video games, a States officer has said.

Jon Tarrant, the islands E-safety officer, said more young people had symptoms of addiction after using consoles and social networking sites.

The symptoms include irritability and tiredness from staying up late to play.

Jon Tarrant said: "We just have to watch what affect that has on young developing children."

'Digital dummy affect'

Mr Tarrant said that previously computers had provided the "digital dummy affect" by occupying young people but it had now escalated and was a "real, but not huge" concern.

"They're more likely to be staying up late, going to school very tired, being irritable in school, not doing homework and having a fractious relationship with their peers or teachers."

A Canada-based expert, Rick Dubras, will be discussing the situation in Jersey later in July.

Mr Tarrant said: "This is a vigilance exercise and will enable parents to make themselves aware of this before the issues become too huge."