According to Science Alert, a 2022 study has revealed that playing video games may slightly boost children’s intelligence, challenging the belief that gaming is harmful to young minds. The research carefully accounted for genetic and socio-economic factors to ensure the findings were as accurate as possible.
Gaming and Cognitive Abilities
The study, which analyzed data from 9,855 U.S. children aged 9 and 10, found that those who spent more time gaming than average saw a 2.5-point increase in IQ after two years. Tasks assessing reading comprehension, memory, visual-spatial processing, and flexible thinking contributed to measuring this improvement.
Interestingly, other forms of screen time, such as watching TV or social media use, showed no significant impact—positive or negative—on intelligence.
A New Perspective on Screen Time
“Our results support the claim that screen time generally doesn’t impair children’s cognitive abilities, and that playing video games can actually help boost intelligence,” explained neuroscientist Torkel Klingberg from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.
This study reinforces the idea that intelligence can be influenced by activities like gaming rather than being a fixed trait. However, it did not differentiate between types of video games or examine other aspects of screen time, such as effects on physical activity or sleep.
Limitations and Future Research
While this study offers valuable insights, it is not without limitations. Previous studies on gaming and cognition have yielded mixed results due to smaller sample sizes and a lack of focus on genetic or socio-economic variables. The team aimed to address these gaps but acknowledged that further research is necessary to fully understand how screen time affects young minds.
Klingberg added, “We’ll now be studying the effects of other environmental factors and how the cognitive effects relate to childhood brain development.”
Published in Scientific Reports, this research sheds light on the nuanced relationship between gaming and intelligence, offering a fresh perspective for parents and educators navigating the ongoing debate on screen time.
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