What are the benefits of video games? Have you seen any?

[LauraEMumsnet]

Hi everyone,

We all worry about how much is too much when it comes to screen time for children and it can be hard to know which video games are appropriate. But there are some benefits to video games - cognitive and educational ones for the players, and peace and quiet for the rest of the house.

We’re writing an article on the effects of video games on children and we’d love to hear your views. Do you think there are any benefits to children playing video games? What skills have your children learnt or developed through screen time? And do you have any advice for parents who are uncertain about how to approach this subject? Please share your thoughts below.

Thank you!

MNHQ

[Pinkflipflop85]

Yes...reading improvement here too from reading the storylines and the character dialogue.

[lastonetime]

I think it depends on the type of video game.

We aren't a fan of shorting games, more "point and click" games with puzzle and problem solving, and the decision based games are good for considering how your actions have bigger affects.

online play co-op games can be good for communication and team work

[Dangermouse80]

Reading has definitely improved and co- ordination skills for my 7 year old.

[fuckinghellthisshit]

I am an education psychologist. The games vary wildly. You can't compare and draw simple conclusions. In my recent experience some games help with logic/mathematical intelligence and others with team work etc.

[BoysRule]

My DSs play minecraft together on a split screen. They are incredibly creative with it and work together to design cities, fairgrounds, farms etc. They discuss their ideas as they're going and collaborate to create large projects. They also do this with Lego but it adds another dimension.

[whenwillthemadnessend]

Plus his reaction times and cognitive skills are very good. Fitness not so much at the moment but hope that will change when lock down over.

[whenwillthemadnessend]

Agree. Only way my son would keep in touch with mates in lockdown. They give boys a reason to talk and common ground.

[Pinkflipflop85]

My 5 year old son enjoys playing lego games on the ps4 (e.g Harry Potter, avengers, lego movie). They have really developed his problem solving skills and I am always amazed at his ability to remember which character he needs to use depending on the skills they possess.

Me or my partner will often play the games with him in 2 player mode and it encourages lots of communication and conversation during the games.

[janetmendoza]

It's another thing in their development of social skills. Obviously it's helpful for a child to be able to interact with other children and most children game. Ds 25 still games as do I. I learned when he was young to give us a shared interest. He has a job a degree, a girlfriend and own accommodation- not at all a recluse. His gaming friends include a gym owner, a fashion buyer, police officer and politician.
It is really good if people can talk about things that interest others. He doesn't know much about football. That rules out a major way that men especially can bond. He copes! But make sure your child has the experiences that allow them to form easy relationships with lots of people.

[30not13]

I think it helps my DC think on the go, problem solve, strategise.

Along with the more obvious skills of team work, co-operation, sharing, managing wins and losses, hand eye co-ordination and strengthening hand muscles.

I do wish people weren't so down on playing video games. I'd far rather DC did that and kept their mind active rather than veg out in front of the TV.

[ShellsandSand]

I don't play video games but my husband does. I believe it keeps the mind nimble. He has better cognitive function than me and I credit that to his years of playing video games.

[Hazelnutlatteplease]

Improved bilateral coordination.
Improved coordination in general
Sparked interest in history and geography. (Some computer games have a huge amount of educational content Civ series, Hearts of Iron, Total War series etc).
Improved typing ability.
Wii fit recommended and incredibly useful for doing some aspects of physio routine without noticing.
We've socialised over online board games

[Barnabeeboyo]

It’s been proven that they don’t affect behaviour and can enhance a lot of skills. There are numerous studies on Google but many posters on here completely disregard them because it doesn’t suit there agenda

[mamaduckbone]

Online games have been the main way for my dcs to socialise with their friends during lockdown, and have also been their reward for completing school work.
Their screen time has escalated inevitably during lockdown, but they are still not allowed on the PlayStation within school hours and they only have one between them so they have to negotiate with each other as to who plays when, depending on whose friends are on. They also police each other!
During lockdown when ds10 and ds14 have had to spend far more time together than usual, it has also given them a shared interest and something to talk about. When we are out on walks they will often talk about their games, because it is the main interest that they have in common that they've actually been able to continue with.

[Fishfingersandwichplease]

The main benefit has been we use it as a bargaining tool during lockdown - if you do your work, you get to play computer games kind of thing. Also has kept my daughter in touch with her school friends.when things go back to normal we won't be using them as much.

[halexanderamilton]

They have proved valuable during lockdown as both my dc are interacting with friends whilst playing.
My eldest is autistic and games help him to interact with his friends in a way that he can control.
I have also found that my dc play collaboratively together on online games much more than they do in 'physical' games.
Finally the games my eldest chooses are often loosely based on historical settings which has helped him in some of his school work as he has a visualisation of how people and settings may look.
That's for starters, I may be back with more.