We’re constantly hearing about how video games are evil – how they’ll send children down a path that’ll lead to them becoming deranged sociopaths lacking empathy or social awareness. Games are evil, and if you’re a parent, letting them play these tools of the devil will ultimately end in catastrophe.
Only that may not be the case. A new study by study by researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and colleagues at Paris Descartes University tested the effects of moderate video game playing on 3,195 children between the ages of 6 and . Those children were then assessed on their academic performance, video game usage and behaviour.
The study found that those who played games more had higher intellectual competence, and performed better at school.
“After adjusting for child age, gender, and number of children, the researchers found that high video game usage was associated with a 1.75 times the odds of high intellectual functioning and 1.88 times the odds of high overall school competence.”
Dispelling the myth of the social awkward gamer, the study reckons gaming is social by nature.
“Video game playing is often a collaborative leisure time activity for school-aged children,” Dr. Katherine Keyes, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Columbia University, said via press release. “These results indicate that children who frequently play video games may be socially cohesive with peers and integrated into the school community.”
That said, don’t use this as an excuse to play games all day.
“We caution against over interpretation, however, as setting limits on screen usage remains and important component of parental responsibility as an overall strategy for student success,” Keyes said.
Of course, this is just the sort of thing that we gamers want to hear, serving as a bit of confirmation bias. We all like to think that playing games has had no ill effect on us, and we also like to think we’re just that little bit cleverer than everybody else.
Last Updated: March 9, 2016
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 9, 2016 at 14:04
That explains why I just keep getting smarter – I constantly play games & I’ve never grown up.
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 9, 2016 at 14:50
What’s Admiral’s excuse though?
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 9, 2016 at 15:04
He matured young?
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 9, 2016 at 15:12
XD
Commander Admiral Chief
March 9, 2016 at 15:05
And here I was going to leave you in charge in my absence, instead I have to start demotion paperwork.
For shame JJ, for shame
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 9, 2016 at 15:10
I keep forgetting that you don’t understand insult-based-admiration.
See what I did there?
Admiral Chief [GITS]
March 9, 2016 at 15:10
Potential deflection, ah, I don’t really care, GOING ON LEAVE NAO
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 9, 2016 at 15:12
When, where?
I promise not to show up unannounced.
I’ll call when I’m ten meters away.
Admiral Chief [GITS]
March 9, 2016 at 15:13
I can see your brows from 3km away
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 9, 2016 at 15:14
Not when I’m standing behind the shrubbery!
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 9, 2016 at 15:17
Come on. I’ve already played the “nice” part.
Now you’re up!
Admiral Chief [GITS]
March 9, 2016 at 15:19
Talking to yourself?
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 9, 2016 at 15:21
Damn. Replied to myself and not Rince.
(of course it wasn’t my one personality challenging the other)
(shut up)
RinceThis
March 9, 2016 at 15:21
I was wondering about that 0_O
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 9, 2016 at 15:21
May as well talk to yourself instead of him. 😀
RinceThis
March 9, 2016 at 15:22
At least I am not piggybacking ON MYSELF 😛
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 9, 2016 at 15:23
LOL
RinceThis
March 9, 2016 at 15:23
You watch it!
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 9, 2016 at 15:26
“it” Trevor is a person!
Kind of.
RinceThis
March 9, 2016 at 15:28
You mean like..? https://49.media.tumblr.com/c52d323bbb4ecb45b31fc91d31319720/tumblr_mzfuvqvvdi1qcga5ro1_500.gif
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 9, 2016 at 15:29
Good god man. I’m struggling to sleep enough as it is.
RinceThis
March 9, 2016 at 15:29
HE’S BEHIND YOU!
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 9, 2016 at 15:29
NO!
Damn it.
RinceThis
March 9, 2016 at 15:30
I was kidding, NOW HE IS!
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 9, 2016 at 15:31
Every time.
RinceThis
March 9, 2016 at 15:31
Not really, UNDER THE TABLE!
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 9, 2016 at 15:32
:/
*packs up to go home*
RinceThis
March 9, 2016 at 15:32
Not really…AT HOME UNDER YOUR BED AT NIGHT STANDING OVER YOU AS YOU SLEEP! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 9, 2016 at 15:33
Don’t give away all my secrets.
RinceThis
March 9, 2016 at 15:33
I didn’t mention anything about the attachable wings or plastic rhino horn 0_O
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 9, 2016 at 15:34
Keep it that way.
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 9, 2016 at 15:34
Is that what he told you it was?
Interesting.
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 9, 2016 at 15:34
https://38.media.tumblr.com/c82860853fdae64a0faf08e4f8cd4a92/tumblr_inline_mlownrTlXL1qz4rgp.gif
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 9, 2016 at 15:29
I’M NOTHING LIKE YOU!
RinceThis
March 9, 2016 at 15:29
HONK HONK!
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 9, 2016 at 15:30
lol
RinceThis
March 9, 2016 at 15:15
… No, too easy a target!
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 9, 2016 at 15:21
huehuehue – no go ahead. It won’t look lame or anything if you try piggybacking onto my own insult. ;P
RinceThis
March 9, 2016 at 15:22
I was going to say and you’re not even a real boy!
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 9, 2016 at 15:24
I’m a princess!
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 9, 2016 at 15:27
Alien Emperor Princess Trevor.
I like it.
RinceThis
March 9, 2016 at 15:31
With muscles like those, yes you are!
Ryanza
March 9, 2016 at 14:08
Video games – hand and eye coordination, critical and logical way of thinking, and strategic thinking.
That’s why games like Star Craft helps brain development.
Now the evil side to video games comes in the form of the stories and visual imaginary plus sounds and music. Any of these forms used to promote agenda’s of evil, is what we need to watch out for.
Don’t Support DRM.
Pariah
March 9, 2016 at 14:10
Does the study also explain this guy over here ^?
Hammersteyn
March 9, 2016 at 14:14
lol
Pariah
March 9, 2016 at 14:09
So does the study explain why the “your mom” jokes amongst certain crowds keep getting more and more stupid?
Also did they include console gamers in their study?
Commander Admiral Chief
March 9, 2016 at 14:10
Not likely
The Sten
March 9, 2016 at 14:10
So……what games did they play?
Did they play mostly puzzle games or Call of Duty?
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 9, 2016 at 14:48
I don’t think Call of Repetition would make anyone smarter.
The Sten
March 9, 2016 at 15:17
Exactly
Commander Admiral Chief
March 9, 2016 at 14:12
Play XCOM.
It will make you plan, it will make you triumph, it will make you cry
Ottokie vs the forces of Evil
March 9, 2016 at 14:14
Never name your Xcom soldiers after your family and friends. On the plus side now I don’t have to buy that much Birthday presents anymore.
Commander Admiral Chief
March 9, 2016 at 14:18
HAH
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 9, 2016 at 14:21
I’d name them after Lazygamer & TheMovies writers. That way I can experience a mix of emotions when they die, not just sadness.
Ottokie vs the forces of Evil
March 9, 2016 at 14:23
That type of dark humor is like food. Not everyone gets it
Commander Admiral Chief
March 9, 2016 at 14:29
Hehehe
RinceThis
March 9, 2016 at 15:24
Ohhhh
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 9, 2016 at 15:29
He’s going to shed many tears over you, I’m sure
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 9, 2016 at 15:32
It’s true. I’ll miss that easily replaceable decoy/meatshield.
Hammersteyn
March 9, 2016 at 14:14
It will make you play something better
https://media.giphy.com/media/13mET3HNHdmPny/giphy.gif
Pariah
March 9, 2016 at 14:16
Realism is for noobs.
Hammersteyn
March 9, 2016 at 14:16
That’s why I love DOOM!
Commander Admiral Chief
March 9, 2016 at 14:18
You can see that is a rookie. Faced with a creepy alien, face to face, surely a rookie will have some fear
Mistake Not...
March 9, 2016 at 14:21
“Ok, if I shoot him in the head he’ll probably die. But if he doesn’t, he’s gonna be very angry. I don’t want him to get angry.”
“Miss!”
DragonSpirit009
March 9, 2016 at 14:38
This is how I take on life’s problems… by missing them!
Ottokie vs the forces of Evil
March 9, 2016 at 14:40
http://media0.giphy.com/media/4pMX5rJ4PYAEM/giphy.gif
Hammersteyn
March 9, 2016 at 14:49
LOL
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 9, 2016 at 14:52
He just does it for drama. They always do this move in the movies. 😀
Mistake Not...
March 9, 2016 at 14:17
Just like real life. When the odds are in your favour you’re still gonna lose.
Ottokie vs the forces of Evil
March 9, 2016 at 14:15
COD = Biology
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 9, 2016 at 14:16
We laughed at improvements to Fish & Dog AI, but now we find out that was beneficial for advancing Kid AI.
Pariah
March 9, 2016 at 14:17
There’s a long list of things done to other kids’ moms that says otherwise.
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 9, 2016 at 14:19
I taught your mom a thing or two about Rabbit AI. huehuehue Wait, where’d that come from?!
Pariah
March 9, 2016 at 14:20
I actually have no idea. None at all. Just like how much effort it takes to get your mom into bed.
Hammersteyn
March 9, 2016 at 14:17
It is filled with references to the female of the species and their reproductive systems
Ottokie vs the forces of Evil
March 9, 2016 at 14:18
And the nurturing nature of mothers and their kin
Commander Admiral Chief
March 9, 2016 at 14:19
Nature vs nurture
Ottokie vs the forces of Evil
March 9, 2016 at 14:20
Grammar aside, I am pretty sure that is spelled correctly 😛
Commander Admiral Chief
March 9, 2016 at 14:29
I was not correcting you…
Ottokie vs the forces of Evil
March 9, 2016 at 14:33
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–jAuZbkVQ–/1483121251392019015.jpg
Commander Admiral Chief
March 9, 2016 at 14:41
Don’t look at me like that, in a few hours I’m off the clock for quite some time
BakedBagel
March 9, 2016 at 14:43
Are you sure you want a generation of sexists?
Kappa
PoisonedBelial
March 9, 2016 at 14:59
Of course it duz.
Gaemz have lerned me gooder than anyfing everz.
That said, I’m sure it does improve hand/eye coordination as well as puzzlers helping to develop systematic thought patterns. Gaemz FTW! XD
Captain JJ the Isolated
March 9, 2016 at 15:11
Spell checker has failed you!
😀
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 9, 2016 at 15:47
Should’ve played Scribblenauts!
Pieter Kruger
March 9, 2016 at 15:54
All in moderation, too much TV, Games, access to internet etc. is not good for children in their formative years I think. They need to run and play outside, read more and use those imaginations! All dragons for example will forever basically look the same as every child has seen one on tv, Google or in a game. Wonder what a child’s imagination could come up with if they only ever read or heard about them and then be asked to draw one? Would we be amazed? The modern day image of a dragon is someone’s idea that got copied and copied and is now widely accepted to be representative!
Descar
March 9, 2016 at 19:33
Finally some scientific research to back up what I’ve always suspected. Strategy gamers usually outperformed their peers in classroom.