Positive influence
It is widely believed that the passion for computer games “stupefies” children. Researchers have provided a rebuttal to this myth.
The researchers analyzed screen time data from 9,855 US children aged 9-10. On average, children spent 2.5 hours a day watching TV or online video, 1 hour playing video games, and half an hour surfing the Internet.
Two years later, scientists accessed data from more than 5,000 children from the first study. Over the past period, those study participants who reported spending more time playing video games than usual experienced a 2.5 IQ increase over the average.
The children’s intelligence was tested on tasks that included reading comprehension, visual-spatial processing, memory testing, mental flexibility, and self-control.
“Our results support the contention that screen time does not generally impair children’s cognitive performance and that video games may indeed help increase intelligence,” the researchers noted.
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