WASHINGTON — This holiday weekend, some family members might shake their heads in worry about all the time youngsters spend playing video games. New research suggests gaming might enhance child development.
Playing video games, even violent games, may help children develop problem-solving skills, improve mood, memory, reasoning and perception, according to research that examines previous studies and is soon to be published by the American Psychological Association.
Video games may help children become more resilient by learning to keep going after they lose, the study finds. Shooter games that are often violent can help children think about objects three dimensionally, and video games that are easy to access and can be played quickly such as “Angry Birds” can help boost kids’ moods, promote relaxation and ease anxiety.
The study findings also counter perceptions that video game play is isolating in that it notes more than 70 percent of gamers play with a friend.
The study’s lead researcher says the findings don’t mean potential negative consequences should be ignored such as addiction, depression, and aggression — just that a more balanced perspective is needed to understand the true impact of video gaming on children.
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