Too much online porn and video games can lead to an ‘arousal addiction’ and leave young men unable to function normally in a learning environment or a relationship, according to Stanford University psychologist Philip Zimbardo

In his book The Demise of Guys: Why Boys are Struggling and What We Can Do About It, the psychologist argues that men are growing up without the need to become ‘social animals’.

‘Guys are now spending a huge percentage of every day in a digital world; playing video games, watching porn, on YouTube, texting, watching sports – most of it alone,’ he said.

As well as suggesting that people who spend long periods in isolation die earlier than those who enjoy frequent social interaction, Zimbardo believes men who spend too much time online are stunting their ability to cope with real life.

The professor, 79, who co-wrote the book with fellow psychologist Nikita Duncan, said that young men – who were the most likely to use video games and online pornography – were being ‘digitally rewired’ in a way that required constant stimulation.

Stanford University psychologist Professor Philip Zimbardo believes too much time spent online is causing the ‘demise of guys’

This process, he argued, left them ‘out of sync’ in a school or work environment and in romantic relationships.

Zimbardo cites a study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which concluded that regular porn users were more likely to report depression and poor physical health than non-users.

The study found that porn could become a ‘substitute for healthy face-to-face interactions, social or sexual’.

The professor also noted research contained within the Annual Review of Public Health which suggests a link between violent video games and real-life aggression.

Zimbardo claims men are spending too much time watching sport, playing video games, and surfing the internet, and not enough interacting with other people

Luke Plunkett, associate editor of the video game website Kotaku, said he was unconvinced by the professor’s claims.

‘Watching sports and porn is causing the ‘demise’ of guys? Sounds like pretty standard guy behaviour to me,’ he told the Mercury News from Australia.

Mr Plunkett said games like Call of Duty or StarCraft were just ‘fancier versions’ of traditional games like Monopoly and Solitaire.

‘It sounds like he (Zimbardo) is just throwing a whole lot of things together he just doesn’t like and trying to make an argument out of it,’ he said.

But Professor Zimbardo insists solutions must be found to tackle what he calls: ‘Guy Disaster Mode’.

A talk by the Stanford psychologist on the topic – somewhat ironically posted online – has been viewed more than a million times.

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Amen to THAT , that’s sure the truth !!!

- Ocean Blue, USA , Santa Barbara, 19/7/2012 20:29

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Better than dealing with real women, that purposely divorce you and take everything you own. I’d rather KEEP all my $$$!

- Hugo Fahkov, Lizard Breath Gulch, 19/7/2012 20:23

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They probably said the same things when books and talking were invented.

- Aaron, Woodstock Canada, 19/7/2012 20:07

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As long as men are having sex, it’s not likely they’ll ever go extinct. And I guarantee you, no matter what, men will always be having sex.

- MK, California, 19/7/2012 19:52

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Most good men I grew up with chose the ‘real’ world were taken to the cleaners by there ex wives. Sounds like today’s young men may be on to something after all.

- Lisa, Irvine, CA, 19/7/2012 19:37

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I totally agree. Men are wasting their lives with sports, video games, vulgar movies, and other juvenile activities. What a waste.

- Benjamin, Alb., USA, 19/7/2012 18:41

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It’s called evolution. Only those males choosing to live in the real world will pass on their genes.
- Truth Is, South of There, 19/07/2012 14:36
Exactly!!!

- susie, Bristol, 19/7/2012 18:37

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IM doomed!

- downtownjoe, Des Moines, 19/7/2012 18:18

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“…risk-averse guys”??________You mean like the guys starting corporations, base-jumping, rock climbing, high-rise construction, surfing in shark infested waters, inventing 99% of all new technologies, sports and games that exist etc?? Remember too that game technology is the basis for simulators used to train soldiers, pilots, truck drivers, etc.

- observer, USSA, 19/7/2012 16:47

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Monopoly or Solitaire = Call of Duty or Starcraft?
Someone’s brain has already been rewired.

- Billy, USA, 19/7/2012 16:07

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