Online and Electronic Gaming: Fun, Abuse, Compulsion, and Crime

by Samuel C. McQuade III, James P. Colt, Neel M. Sampat

Games come naturally to humans, so it is no wonder that electronics and the Internet have engendered a thriving gaming industry. Written by a life-long gamer, parent educator security director, and university professor, Online and Electronic Fun, Abuse, Compulsion, and Crime offers a comprehensive exploration of this multifaceted world. Game use for recreation and education is vividly illustrated with real-life stories. These positive tales are contrasted with illustrations of deceptive practices and motivations of gamers who use technology to bully, defraud, hack computer systems, and explore deviancy and sexual fantasies. Internet addiction through gaming is also carefully explained on the basis of medical and social science research. Not an alarmist text, the book maintains a balanced perspective when explaining controversial issues, such as addiction, violent/sex-themed gaming content, and the correlation of gaming with juvenile delinquency or crime. However, the authors do point to the need for responsible gaming aided by informed parents, education, and industry standards for age/developmentally appropriate content, complimented by government oversight and regulation.

230 pages, Hardcover

First published February 28, 2013

About the author

Samuel C. McQuade III, Ph.D., is a professor and graduate program coordinator for the cross-disciplinary professional studies master's degree program in Rochester Institute of Technology's College of Applied Science and Technology. He has 30 years of experience as a practitioner, teacher, and researcher of criminal justice and security. He is a former Air National Guard security police officer, deputy sheriff, police officer and detective, police organizational change consultant, National Institute of Justice program manager for the U.S. Department of Justice, and study director for the Committee on Law and Justice of the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences.