What Are the Benefits of Children Playing Computer Games?

by Todd Williams

Overview

Video game console

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The effect of video games on children is a topic of heated debate among politicians, educators, parents and psychologists. There is sufficient data available, however, to illustrate the development potential of video games.
Education

The interactive nature of video games combined with the frequent use of a reward system can help grab a child's interest and encourage her to complete a task that she may otherwise find mundane or boring.

Fitness

Most people would laugh if you told them a video game helped you exercise and lose weight. Video games requiring physical movement and interaction actually fight obesity and lethargy, according to research conducted by the Mayo Clinic.
Coordination

Video games regularly challenge a player's coordination by requiring precisely timed and accurate button presses in response to on-screen cues. A study by Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, showed that surgeons most skilled with video games made as few as 47% fewer errors compared with those with the least gaming skill.
Behavior

Video games that encourage helpful social behavior can develop a kinder, more benevolent nature in children, according to research posted in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
Self-esteem

Being able to overcome challenges and succeed at a task are vitally important to anyone's self-esteem. The capacity of video games to be dynamic results in an experience that is challenging but surmountable.