Contrary to popular belief that they damage young minds, spending more time playing video games may be linked to increased intelligence in children, a new study has found.
While the observed difference in cognitive abilities is small and does not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship, scientists consider it significant.
The 2022 study carefully controlled for variables such as genetic variations and the children’s socioeconomic status.
Interestingly, watching television and using social media, unlike playing games, showed neither a positive nor a negative effect on intelligence.
These results could contribute significantly to the debate about the appropriate amount of screen time for children, reports ScienceAlert.
“Digital media define modern childhood, but their cognitive effects are unclear and the subject of heated debate,” the research team from the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden wrote in their paper.
“We believe that studies with genetic data can clarify causal claims and correct the commonly overlooked role of genetic predispositions.”
Scientists analyzed data on screen time from 9,855 American children aged nine and ten.
On average, children spent 2.5 hours a day watching TV or online videos, one hour playing video games, and half an hour on social media.
Two years later, data was collected on more than 5,000 of the same children.
It turned out that children who spent more time playing video games had an IQ increase of 2.5 points above average.
IQ increases were determined based on scores on tasks that measured reading comprehension, visual-spatial processing, memory, flexible thinking, and self-control.
Although the study was conducted only on children in the US and did not distinguish between types of video games, such as those played on mobile phones or consoles, it provides valuable insight into the link between games and IQ.
It also supports the idea that intelligence is not a fixed trait that we are born with.
“Our results support the claim that screen time in general does not harm children’s cognitive abilities and that playing video games can actually help increase intelligence,” said neuroscientist Torkel Klingberg of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. /Telegraph/
