MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
Well that makes a refreshing change.
A short spell of video gaming each day can have a positive effect on the lives of young children, a new study has claimed.
That’s according toa survey of 5,000 10-15 year olds by experimental psychologist Dr Andrew Przybylski published in medical journal Pediatrics, as reported by the BBC.
Compared to kids who spent either a high amount of time gaming or none at all, those who played regularly but for under an hour a day were more likely to feel satisfied with their lives and enjoyed a higher number of positive social interactions.
This group also reported also fewer incidents of emotional levels and hyperactivity.
Those who played three hours or more or day reported the least positive results.
"In a research environment that is often polarised between those who believe games have an extremely beneficial role and those who link them to violent acts, this research could provide a new, more nuanced standpoint,” Przybylski said.
"Being engaged in video games may give children a common language. And for someone who is not part of this conversation, this might end up cutting the young person off.
"Further research would help to determine whether particular types of game help or hinder adolescents as they adjust to the changes they experience during development."
