As the mother of an avid preteen gamer, I often question whether video games are good for kids or bad. Even though I know through my writing on the topic that there’s mounting evidence to the contrary, it’s still hard to let go of the widespread perception that playing video games is harmful to kids.
I was heartened to see more new research indicating that not only is gaming not harmful (when done in moderation), but there may be important cognitive benefits.
Scientists at the University of Vermont, Burlington, aimed to understand not only the potential cognitive benefits of video games but also the underlying neurobiological mechanisms. To do this, they studied the brain activity of kids who play a lot of video games.
Four key takeaways:
Children who played video games for more than three hours per day performed faster and more accurately on tests involving impulse control and working memory.
On MRI scans, gamers had higher brain activity in regions associated with attention and memory.
Scans also showed gamers had more activity in the frontal regions of their brains linked to cognitively demanding tasks. Researchers think this may result from practicing tasks related to impulse control and memory while playing.
Although these findings are promising and add to the evidence of a correlation between video games and higher cognitive function, they don’t definitively prove that video games are the cause. The study authors acknowledge it’s possible that children who are good at these types of cognitive tasks may be more drawn to video games.
Another recent study showed that gamers’ brains appear to process visual information more efficiently.
Key takeaways:
Study participants who played a strategy video game had greater connectivity in areas of the brain essential for visual attention — specifically, greater efficiency in processing visual information.
Sustained visual attention is related to vital brain capacities like executive function, cognitive flexibility, and working memory.
The study was conducted on adults, so the implications for children may be limited. But, considering video games are also associated with slower brain aging, I know my takeaway: I should say yes far more often when my son asks me to game with him.
I was discouraged when I saw that the child participants in the University of Vermont study gamed for more than three hours every day. I’m not saying I never let my kid game this long; school breaks, sick days, and sleepovers are all exceptions. But I don’t see myself letting him loose for unlimited gaming on the regular.
The authors of both studies caution that their findings don’t suggest there should be no limits on video game play. Drawing from the studies, and my own expertise on screen time and kids, here are some tips for getting the benefits of video games — within moderation.
Experts suggest that passionate engagement is the goal, and that pathological play should be avoided. Help steer your kids toward games that stimulate them, but keep reasonable limits in place.
Researchers hypothesize that not all games will benefit the brain equally, and suggest the following genres may deliver more neurocognitive benefit:
If your child plays video games online, predators are a far greater concern than cognitive impacts. Use platform-specific parental controls to protect them.
Don’t miss our guide to parental controls for Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite.
One of the best ways to ensure your child’s gaming is positive and safe is to monitor them. Specifically:
Research increasingly suggests that video games are good for kids, within reason. The possible benefits of video games include greater impulse control, working memory, executive function, and cognitive flexibility. But moderation is still key. Monitor what your kids play and how long they play it, and put safeguards in place to protect them from strangers on online gaming platforms.
BrightCanary helps you monitor your child’s activity on the apps they use the most, including video games on their iPad or iPhone. Download today to get started for free.
