Numerous studies have come along in recent years shooting down the claim that video games cause violent behavior in their players. While recent evidence indicates that parents likely don't have to worry about this, studies are also revealing that there are some ways that gamers - especially kids - can benefit from regular gaming.
It wasn't all too long ago that many were quick to argue that video games were a waste of children's time, but more evidence seems to be emerging that suggests the opposite. Video games have previously been linked to improved motor control skills and even positive changes to regions of the brain, and now a new study indicates that kids may see a boost in their interest in reading and writing, as well as their emotional health from playing games.
The new study comes from the UK and the National Literacy Trust, which took a look at nearly 5,000 players aged 11 to 16. According to a press release, an average of 2 out of 5 players were more motivated to read about games from sources like news sites and books after playing. In addition, the study revealed that a whopping 73% of its players said that games made them feel like they were part of a story, boosting their interest in narratives in a way that could potentially lead to reading or writing.
However, the benefits didn't stop there. Children in the study noted that games helped them to imagine themselves in someone else's shoes, indicating that video games might have an impact on kids' development of empathy. Furthermore, a large amount of the participants used video games to stay in touch with friends and family during the COVID-19 lockdown, giving them a way to stay emotionally involved even at a physical distance. Kids weren't the only ones quick to sing the praises of games, as 60% of the parents interviewed felt that chatting in games helped to support the mental health of their children.
Plenty of established gamers will likely concur with these findings, as social interaction in online gaming and the detailed, involved stories of video games have been a draw for players for decades. Nowadays, nearly every major gaming platform provides a way for players to meet others with shared interests, and the stories told in games like The Last of Us 2 are increasingly dramatic, quite arguably competing head-to-head with older storytelling formats like books and films.
While some critics will undoubtedly continue to try and point the finger at video games as a culprit in society's problems and the poor behavior of children, it's becoming more obvious all the time that games have plenty of good to offer the world, including the youngest generations.
Source: Sky