“Video games are a ubiquitous part of almost all children’s and adolescents’ lives […].
The vast majority of research by psychologists on the effects of “gaming” has been on its negative impact: the potential harm related to violence, addiction, and depression.
We recognize the value of that research; however, we argue that a more balanced perspective is needed, one that considers not only the possible negative effects but also the benefits of playing these games. Considering these potential benefits is important, in part, because the nature of these games has changed dramatically in the last decade, becoming increasingly complex, diverse, realistic, and social in nature.
[…]
A small but significant body of research has begun to emerge, mostly in the last five years, documenting these benefits.
[…]
By integrating insights from developmental, positive, and social psychology, as well as media psychology, we propose some candidate mechanisms by which playing video games may foster real-world psychosocial benefits.”
“Video games are socially interactive in a way never before afforded.
Increasingly, players are gaming online, with friends, family, and complete strangers, crossing vast geographical distances and blurring not only cultural boundaries but also age and generation gaps, socioeconomic differences, and language barriers.
The large amount of time invested in playing video games may also mean that they provide qualitatively different experiences than conventional games.
Although we may remember spending whole weekends playing Monopoly with siblings and neighbors, few traditional games can boast the weeks and months of game play that many video games provide.
These differences in space and time likely hold wholly new benefits and risks that have yet to be conceptualized.
[…]”
Isabela Granic, Adam Lobel, and Rutger C. M. E. Engels
The Benefits of Playing Video Games
Radboud University Nijmegen
in:
American Psychologist
Vol. 69, No. 1, 66–78
January 2014 issue
NOTE
I do not endorse the conclusions of the article; as usual, I offer “food for thought”.
(Roberto Grippi)