A new study recently associated spending more time on video games with an improved intelligence quotient or IQ in children, going some way to opposing the belief that gaming is bad for kids.
As indicated in a ScienceAlert report, while the difference in cognitive capabilities was a small one and is not adequate to show a causal link, it is enough to be considered noteworthy, and the research was careful when it comes to factoring in variables that include differences in genetics, as well as the socio-economic background of the child.
yeah OBVIOUSLYhttps://t.co/v4xzi2kbm3
— MC Frontalot (@mc_frontalot) May 16, 2022
Meanwhile, using social media and watching TV didn't appear to have a favorable or adverse impact on intelligence.
More so, the study needs to prove useful in the argument over the amount of screen time that's suitable for young minds.
Modern Childhood
In the study published in the Scientific Reports journal, the researchers stated that digital media "defines modern childhood." although its cognitive impacts are unclear and heatedly debated.
The study authors also said they believe that research with genetic data could explain causal assertions and correct for the usually unaccounted function of genetic predispositions.
The research team looked at records of screen time for over 9,800 kids in the ABCD study, all in the United States, and aged nine or 10 years old.
On average, the young kids reported they spend 2.5 hours every day watching TV or online videos, one hour playing video games and half an hour socializing using the internet.
Boosted IQ
The study investigators then accessed data for over 5,000 of the children two years after. Over the intervening period, participants of the study who reported spending more time compared to the norm on video games saw a 2.5-increase in IQ points on top of the increase in average.
The increase in IQ points was based on the performance of the children on tasks that included reading and comprehension, visual-spatial processing, and a task that's focused on flexible thinking self-control, and memory.
It is essential to note that while the study only looked at kids in the US and did not differentiate between types of video games, like mobile versus console games, it remains a valuable understanding of gaming and IQ, and backs up the notion that intelligence is not fixed constant humans are born with.
Link Between Kids' Screen Time and Their Cognitive Abilities
According to Torkel Klingberg, a neuroscientist from Karolinska Institute in Sweden, the results back the claim that screen time in general, does not damage the cognitive abilities of children and that playing video games can certainly help boost intelligence.
As indicated in a similar True Viral News report, the researchers noted that this is not the first research to suggest that there could be an association between the time the children are spending on video games and their cognitive abilities' development, and there seem to be linked benefits from video games, as well.
As the research team behind the present study said that small sample sizes, the different designs of research, and the absence of consideration for genetic and socio-economic influence have all resulted in the conflicting reports of the impacts of screen time that they have observed to date.
Related information about the effect of video games on children is shown in Wall Street Journal's YouTube video below:
Check out more news and information on Video Games and Mental Health in Science Times.
