Video Games Could Actually Be Good for Kids’ Brains, Study Finds
Video Games Could Actually Be Good for Kids’ Brains, Study Finds
Video Games Could Actually Be Good for Kids’ Brains, Study Finds
By Lauraine Langreo
November 10, 2022
Summary
A new scientific study suggests that video gaming may be associated with better cognitive performance in children.
Published in the JAMA Network Open journal on Oct. 24, the study of nearly 2,000 children, ages 9 and 10, found that those who reported playing video games for three hours per day or more performed better on cognitive skills tests involving impulse control and working memory compared with those who had never played video games.
The report, funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Drug Abuse, comes as researchers have been divided on how video gaming affects the cognitive skills and brain function of children.
Most of the behavioral studies on video games have linked gaming to increases in aggressive or unhealthy behavior in children.
"Many parents today are concerned about the effects of video games on their children's health and development," said Bader Chaarani, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Vermont and the lead author on the study.
"As these games continue to proliferate among young people, it is crucial that we better understand both the positive and negative impact that such games may have." Researchers at the University of Vermont in Burlington tested two groups of children: those who played video games for at least 21 hours a week-more than the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommended screen time guidelines-and those who didn't play at all.
The researchers found that the gamers did better than non-gamers in tests where they had to control impulsive behavior or memorize information.
Reference
Langreo, L. (2022, November 10). Video games could actually be good for kids' brains, study finds. Education Week. Retrieved March 10, 2023, from https://www.edweek.org/technology/video-games-could-actually-be-good-for-kids-brains-study-finds/2022/11