12 December 2013
Seven Benefits of Gaming
Keywords: brains, games, gaming, health, prosocial, Literature review, interactive media, kids, media,
What are the benefits of playing video games for children? A recent study in American Psychologist provides an answer to this question by conducting a thorough review of research on the positive effects of gaming. The review concludes that playing video games—even violent shooter games!—enhances children’s brain, health, and social skills.
Take aways
- Playing video games may boost children’s;
- brain skills (e.g., better attention, memory, and reasoning)
- ability to think in 3D
- problem solving skills
- school grades
- creativity
- well-being (e.g., happier and more relaxed)
- prosocial behavior.
- Intervention developers should know that video games can be a promising tool in promoting well-being, prosocial behavior, and brain skills.
Study information
The question?
What are the benefits of playing video games for children?
Who?
Focus on children
How?
A literature review of 33 studies published between 2005 and 2013 was conducted. Based on this review the positive effects of playing video games was assessed.
Facts and findings
- Playing video games strengthens children’s brain skills (e.g., attention, memory, and reasoning), in particular when playing violent shooter games (e.g., Halo 4 and Grand Theft IV).
- Shooter games also improve children’s ability to think about objects in 3D.
- Playing strategic games increased children’s problem solving skills and school grades.
- Playing any kind of video game enhanced creativity in children.
- Simple and easily accessible games (e.g. Angry birds and Bejeweled II) made children happier and more relaxed.
- Playing team-player games promoted prosocial behavior in children, even if the games were violent.