Video Games Have Potential to Boost Children's Intelligence, Study Finds

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Key Takeaways

Many people enjoy playingvideo games for stress relief. A new study published in the journalScientific Reportsfound that children who spent more time playing video games demonstrated increased intelligence at follow-up.

Given the limitations of measures of intelligence, those working with children should make every effort to promote inclusive learning.

Understanding the Research

In terms of limitations, the findings of this research study were based on self-report for screen time, and the sample only consisted of US children.

Screen Time Recommendations For Your Child By Age

An Intensely Debated Topic

Licensed mental health counselorJulia M. Chamberlain MS, INHC, LMHC, who specializes in child development, parenting, depression, anxiety, and the mind-body connection says, “This study is an interesting look at how gaming might impact American youth. The preliminary findings indicate that gaming may have a positive impact on intelligence.”

Chamberlain explains, “It is important to note some of the specific factors such as the ages and cultures of the children may have an impact on the outcomes. Further research is needed with a variety of ages, and different cultures in order to determine the validity and reliability across domains.”

This research is in line with other studies that examine how external stimuli influence brain development, but Chamberlain notes that it goes against previous notions that gaming has negative consequences on child development. “Because of mixed research findings, media usage and children is a widely and intensely debated topic,” she says.

Julia M. Chamberlain MS, INHC, LMHCThis study is an interesting look at how gaming might impact American youth. The preliminary findings indicate that gaming may have a positive impact on intelligence.

Julia M. Chamberlain MS, INHC, LMHC

This study is an interesting look at how gaming might impact American youth. The preliminary findings indicate that gaming may have a positive impact on intelligence.

Intelligence is measured in a variety of dimensions, as Chamberlain notes that manyintelligence testsassess one dimension of intelligence at a time, thus giving limited information.  “Every child is truly individual and develops different types of intelligence, learns differently, and comes from a different culture and familial background making it difficult to create generalizations about the benefits of external influences,” she says.From her therapy practice, Chamberlain has noticed social deficits, an increase indepressive symptoms, including withdrawal and isolation, sleep disruption, and a decrease in motivation in young adult men who have grown up gaming. “Therefore, it will be important to continue to monitor how media impacts development beyond adolescence,” she says.

Effects of Active Brain Activity

Licensed psychotherapist and program coordinator for intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health services at Providence Saint John’s Child and Family Development Center,Mayra Mendez, PhD, LMFT, says, “Video gaming may boost mental health…[as] it has the effect of enhancing mental acuity and cognitive processing.”

Mendez explains, “The effect of active brain activity is generally positively associated with plasticity, flexibility, healthy endorphins and overall positive mental health, emotional functioning, and brain plasticity.”

Mayra Mendez, PhD, LMFTEnvironment plays a significant role especially the cultivation of rich, stimulating, active learning environment as key factors in cognitive growth and effective executive functioning skills.

Mayra Mendez, PhD, LMFT

Environment plays a significant role especially the cultivation of rich, stimulating, active learning environment as key factors in cognitive growth and effective executive functioning skills.

Regarding limitations of psychological tests to measure intelligence, Mendez notes limited cultural/racial/ethnic/SES relevance. “Intelligence tests are not one-size-fits-all and may generate inaccurate results because the tests are limited in cultural scope and are not standardized to capture intellectual capacity through a culturally relevant lens,” she says.

While genetics may impact and even predict cognitive capacity and functioning, Mendez notes that it is not a sole determinant of intellectual progress. “Environment plays a significant role especially the cultivation of rich, stimulating, active learning environment as key factors in cognitive growth and effective executive functioning skills,” she says.

Multiple Types of Intelligence Noted

Founder ofCreative Psychological Health Services, play therapist, and psychologistRachel Altvater, PsyD, RPT-S, says, “This groundbreaking study shows that gaming and video watching had a positive impact on children’s intelligence. This research is promising as we begin to uncover more about the impact of the digital age on our cognitive evolution.”

Altvater explains, “We do not want to take results from one study and make absolute statements. The research was comprehensive and accounted for many factors that could influence intelligence to truly attest how gaming impacted intellectual development.”

Further research is needed to understand how gaming, watching digital videos, and socializing impacts intelligence, according to Altvater. “There are many critical periods of development in our early years, so what we do will impact us in different ways at different times,” she says.

Rachel Altvater, PsyD, RPT-SMy clients deeply appreciate when I join them in their comfortable, familiar digital space. As a play therapist, I operate under the premise that I meet my clients where they are, and I speak their language. The modern facilitator of play is gaming platforms.

Rachel Altvater, PsyD, RPT-S

My clients deeply appreciate when I join them in their comfortable, familiar digital space. As a play therapist, I operate under the premise that I meet my clients where they are, and I speak their language. The modern facilitator of play is gaming platforms.

Altvater highlights that intelligence measures focus on fluid and crystalized knowledge. “Fluid knowledge is the ability to think and reason abstractly and solve problems. Crystalized knowledge is information we have learned,” she says.

Intelligence is so much more than this, according to Altvater. “There aremultiple types of intelligence, so to only consider one aspect does not afford a comprehensive measure of intelligence. Traditional intelligence measures favor those who have stronger performance on fluid and crystalized tasks of intelligence,” she says.

Altvater explains, “My clients deeply appreciate when I join them in their comfortable, familiar digital space. As a play therapist, I operate under the premise that I meet my clients where they are, and I speak their language. The modern facilitator of play is gaming platforms.”

Harmful Stereotypes of Video Gamers

Ariel Landrum, MA, LMFT, a licensed marriage and family therapist, certified art therapist, and the clinical director of Guidance Teletherapy, says, “Screen time is a big debate amongst educators, caregivers, and professionals in the mental and medical fields."

Whenscreen timeincludes video games, many arguments are based on morality and ethics, as Landrum notes that her anecdotal insights as a geek therapist who plays video games with clients matches study findings.

Landrum explains, “A video game accesses skills around problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making around priorities. When video games have a multiplayer component, children are…using socialization skills, active listening skills, and collaborative communication.”

Ariel Landrum, MA, LMFTJust as our society is still learning to grow away from misogynistic, homophobic, and racist structures, the same is found in gaming…Video game companies are making more diverse characters, removing gendered limits on clothing, addressing hate speech, [etc.]

Ariel Landrum, MA, LMFT

Just as our society is still learning to grow away from misogynistic, homophobic, and racist structures, the same is found in gaming…Video game companies are making more diverse characters, removing gendered limits on clothing, addressing hate speech, [etc.]

Landrum highlights howthe Entertainment Software Association(ESA) found that 87% of the video game community agrees that players are diverse and that 32% of players have children living in their homes.

This challenges the unfortunate video-game player stereotype of somehow simultaneously being an angry 13-year-old boy and a 40-year-old man living in their parent’s basement, according to Landrum.

This harmful stereotyping creates the belief system that video game players are isolated, lack diversity and emotional expressiveness, and are unmotivated, and aggressive, while Landrum notes the ESA found that only 20% of gamers were under 18 while 16% of gamers were over 55.

Landrum explains, “Just as our society is still learning to grow away from misogynistic, homophobic, and racist structures, the same is found in gaming…Video game companies are making more diverse characters, removing gendered limits on clothing, addressing hate speech, [etc.]”

What This Means For YouAs this research study demonstrates, video gaming may have a positive impact on the intelligence levels of children. Given the limitations of intelligence measures, educators should strive to promote accessible learning to better engage kids at all levels.

What This Means For You

As this research study demonstrates, video gaming may have a positive impact on the intelligence levels of children. Given the limitations of intelligence measures, educators should strive to promote accessible learning to better engage kids at all levels.

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1 SourceVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sauce B, Liebherr M, Judd N, Klingberg T.The impact of digital media on children’s intelligence while controlling for genetic differences in cognition and socioeconomic background.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):7720. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-11341-2

1 Source

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sauce B, Liebherr M, Judd N, Klingberg T.The impact of digital media on children’s intelligence while controlling for genetic differences in cognition and socioeconomic background.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):7720. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-11341-2

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Sauce B, Liebherr M, Judd N, Klingberg T.The impact of digital media on children’s intelligence while controlling for genetic differences in cognition and socioeconomic background.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):7720. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-11341-2

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