Children who Play Video Games For Less Than an Hour Are Well-Adjusted

Researchers have found that children who play video-games for less than an hour on a daily basis are better-adjusted children and teens.

The study, carried out by the Oxford University, examined the positive and negative effects of gaming using a sample of children and adolescents. The study involved 5,000 young people belonging to UK households. There were equal number of males and females. The researchers found that those who indulged in playing video games, were better-adjusted as compared to those who never played video games or those who played for three hours or more.

Although the researchers did not find any positive or detrimental effects of "moderately" playing games between one to three hours a day, they found the influence of video games on children is extremely minor as compared to the enduring factors.

The researchers interviewed the participants, who were aged between 10-15 years, on the amount of time they spent on console-based or computer-based games. They were also made to complete a questionnaire on how satisfied they were with their lives, the levels of hyperactivity and inattention, empathy and their relationship with their peers.

It was noticed that 3 in every 4 UK children and teens indulged in video games on a daily basis. Those who spent more than half of their daily free time playing electronic games were not as well adjusted as those who played video games for less than an hour. The researchers assumed that this is because the children missed out on other activities and exposed themselves to inappropriate content that is designed for adults.

Those who played video games for less than an hour were linked with highest levels sociability and were more satisfied with their lives. Also, they had less friendship and emotional problems, as well as less hyperactivity when compared to other groups.

Study author Dr Andrew Przybylski from the Oxford Internet Institute said: "These results support recent laboratory-based experiments that have identified the downsides to playing electronic games. However, high levels of video game-playing appear to be only weakly linked to children's behavioural problems in the real world. Likewise, the small, positive effects we observed for low levels of play on electronic games do not support the idea that video games on their own can help children develop in an increasingly digital world."

The study was documented un the journal Pediatrics.