How Do Video Games Affect Children's Intelligence and Development?

Our children are playing less and less in the yard with their peers and more and more at home in virtual space. In this regard, scientists in many countries are trying to determine the impact of computer games on children. Can we call them beneficial hobbies, or do they only have negative consequences?

 

Research on the effects of games on children

Children who spend a moderate amount of time playing computer games increase their IQ by 2.5 points. Scientists at Karolinska Institute in Sweden stated that 9,000 children aged 10-12 years old were tested for intelligence and psychological characteristics. Also, the time spent in front of the TV screen, on social networks, and on computer games were recorded. After two years, repeat measurements were taken.

Study summary: Children who played video games for about 1 hour a day increased their IQ by 2.5 points, which was not observed in children who watched TV and hung out on social networks. The key indicator here is the length of time spent in virtual space. We can talk about the usefulness of computer entertainment only with a caveat - if certain time limits are observed.

In addition, the influence of games on the level of violence and cruelty in society is greatly exaggerated. At the moment, there are no studies that would confirm that it is computer games that cause mass outbursts of aggression. On the contrary, scientists have noted a decline in criminal activity when new shooters are released.

Even in older people who periodically play active computer games, positive changes are observed - their cognitive functions improve.
 

Positive influence of games on the child's intelligence

Recall that a moderate fondness for computer games means that the player spends no more than one hour a day in the game, he has no problems with his studies or communication with family and loved ones; there is no game addiction and no obsession to sit down again and again at the computer. If the game is just entertainment, we can discuss computer games' benefits.

The removal of emotional and psychological stress

Computer games have different effects on a person's emotional state. For example, arcades and puzzle games force the brain to work harder, reducing the production of adrenaline and other "stress hormones". Shooters help express your anger (but it is essential not to abuse these "explosive" games).

On the other hand, homework-help websites can significantly relieve stress with college assignments. These websites can help you focus on completing tasks, which helps develop new skills and keeps one's mind off stress.

Improving communication skills

Multiplayer games develop communication skills: the ability to build teamwork and negotiate with people, resolve conflicts, take responsibility for their decisions, etc.

Attention becomes clearer; orientation is faster, thinking is better

The flow of information in the game is enormous: you often have to keep track of many factors - the position of your opponents, your allies, your resources - update and quickly set goals and objectives, and check your and other players' level of development. All this requires the player's maximum involvement, concentration, and ability to prioritize.

Many games, such as strategic, develop logical and abstract thinking, allowing for better mastering of academic subjects and improving academic performance in pupils and students. Regularly solving logical and spatial problems in a game becomes an actual exercise for the brain in reality.

Development of creative thinking

Often games require non-standard solutions to difficult situations. For example, "think of a way around the guards who do not let you in the building." To contrive to pass the level, it is necessary to make a lot of mental effort and try out many options.

Motivation to achieve results and success

Most games force the player to develop step by step, learn new skills, and gain resources. It is impossible to become a super-player with one click of the mouse (in fact, even to learn to use cheat codes, you need patience and persistence). Thus, games teach a person step-by-step growth and develop motivation and the will to win.

Games as a diagnostic tool

According to the game preferences, we can conclude a more suitable learning style for the child. There are several learning styles - active and reflective, sensory and intuitive, visual and verbal, and sequential and global:

1. If the child prefers action games and shooters, an active learning style suits him, which implies active actions during the process (training, discussions, explaining, and helping others).

2. The child prefers games with strategies, puzzles, and quests - a reflective learning style suits him when the learner processes the received information independently, thoughtfully, and unhurriedly (he does not need active actions for this).

3. Story strategies and quests are a sensory learning style. Such children prefer to study facts and look for new information.

4. Real-life simulators are an intuitive learning style. Students are more interested in looking for connections.

5. Games with elaborate visuals - visual learning style. Students better perceive graphical images; they need to look at the picture to understand the meaning.

6. Games with a well-developed storyline - verbal learning style. Students prefer quality text to illustrative material.

7. Puzzles, arcades - sequential learning style. Step-by-step learning that is logically connected.

8. Children who are passionate only about game strategies suit the global style of learning or learning "by leaps and bounds" - haphazard accumulation of information, then its comprehension.

Negative impact

Unfortunately, computer games often turn from mere entertainment into an addiction. As a rule, this is due to problems unrelated to the computer world and with which the player can not cope independently. Then he chooses to "escape" into the virtual world.

The main negative consequences of abuse of computer games (when a child spends more than 3 hours a day in the game).

The development of game addiction

It is effortless for children to fall into this trap: in games, it is easier to achieve success, communicate and be a hero, and time flies imperceptibly.

Emotional instability

Games are full of colorful pictures, plot twists, and turns and cause very bright positive and negative experiences. Excessive emotional swings make children irritable and aggressive.

Deterioration of health and well-being

Prolonged immersion in the virtual world can harm a child's health - deteriorating vision and posture. Denying food and sleep in favor of the game is also not good for the child's body.

Problems in communication

Being in cyberspace worsens the communication ties of a gamer - frequent conflicts with loved ones (especially parents) begin; there are difficulties in communicating with peers in the real world.

Exposure to inappropriate content

Unfortunately, there are not many high-quality computer games, so a child can quickly find a game with undesirable content. Moreover, most players do not keep track of the age rating of downloadable games. Therefore, an adult game can easily be downloaded by a small child who is not ready, for example, shooters.

Ban or allow?

We can not say with certainty that computer games are only beneficial or only harmful. When letting their child sit at the computer, parents are responsible for the time spent at the screen and the quality of the content they consume.

How to correctly build a policy of behavior concerning the child and computer games:

1. Instill a taste for intellectual gaming and self-control from childhood.

2. Control the amount of screen time and the choice of applications. You can do this using a parental control app.

3. Teach your child to take game breaks to warm up (eye and body exercises).

4. Arrange a suitable workplace - a quality table and chair, the proper distance to the screen, so that the child does not ruin the posture and eyesight while working at the computer.

5. Build trusting relationships and teach how to cope with difficulties in life so that children do not have the desire to escape from the real world to the game.