Healthy Kids: Video game effects

Published:
2010 Media Study:
  • 8-18 yrs: use media 7 hours per day.
  • 70% American teens have TV in bedroom.
  • 50% American teens have video game console.
  • Recommendation:  <2 hr of screen time per day.
Risks of ‘electronic addiction:
  • Obesity
  • Addiction
  • Suicidality
  • Desensitization to aggression
Medical News Today study:
  • Games that focus on storytelling can be good.
  • Encourages the development of social abilities in autism.
  • Even violent video games promote visuospatial cognition.
  • Contradictory and inconclusive results.
  • Confirmed by Paris Descartes University.
Children reap benefits of video games (present study):
  • 20% children played >5 hours per week
  • 39% screen time <1 hour per week.
  • 40% screen time between 1-5 hours per week.
  • 1% >20 hours per week.
Results:
  • High video game usage = 1.75 x chance of high IQ
  • High video game usage = 1.88 x high overall school performance
  • Video game play NOT linked with mental health problems
  • Fewer relationship problems with friends
  • Recommendation:  continue close monitoring

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