Saturday, January 22, 2011

News: A+ Advice: Research suggests video games can boost kids' brains

News: A+ Advice: Research suggests video games can boost kids' brains

News: A+ Advice: Research suggests video games can boost kids' brains

Posted: 21 Jan 2011 09:28 PM PST

QUESTION: Over the holidays, my brother, who is a brain surgeon, argued with me over video games. I think they're time-wasters, so I monitor my boys' time and use them only as a reward. He says research shows that they are actually good for their brains and I shouldn't be so strict. How can that be? All parents hear is how we should limit kids' use of them.

ANSWER: There is a growing body of research that suggests that some video games can boost real -world skills as kids develop their brains.

University of Rochester professor of brain and cognitive sciences Daphne Bavelier has conducted more than 20 studies on video games and says that "live-action games are far from mindless."

What does that mean? Gamers she studied performed better than non-gamers on tests of attention, speed, accuracy, vision and multitasking.

Gamers are better at "contrast sensitivity" -- the ability to see subtle shades of gray -- and are better able to read small typefaces than nongamers.

She also found that gamers have better attention spans -- they stay focused and are less distracted by events in their surroundings. They can switch activities much faster than non-gamers, making them better multitaskers.

They also have better reaction time.

Jay Pratt, a brain researcher and professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, studies spatial cognition -- the ability to see and mentally manipulate 3-D figures, an essential skill for math and engineering.

Women usually do much worse than men on tests that measure spatial cognition. Pratt tested a group of women with little or no gaming experience and found they scored poorly. Then he gave them 10 hours of training on action video games, retested them and found that they scored nearly as well as the men.

Pratt notes that gamers perform better in another area of spatial cognition called "the useful field of view" -- how wide you can see at any given moment. He says gamers are better able to pick up irregularities in environments. That skill helps us react more efficiently and guide our behavior.

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So your brother has a point. But you do, too.

You'll note that this research was done on live-action video games, which immerse players in a fast-paced environment. Many live-action video games have adult ratings.

Another drawback is that kids hunched over an "action game" aren't getting any physical activity. While manufacturers of Nintendo Wii, PlayStation Move or Xbox 306's Kinect might say that they've solved that problem because they get kids off the couches, Bavelier doesn't believe those gaming experiences have the same effect on their brains.

So what's a mom with a brainy brother to do? Use your "Momsense."

You don't say how old your boys are, but if you buy the "brain benefits" research, be choosey when selecting games to get those benefits. Common Sense Media (commonsense.org) rates games and can help you find appropriate choices.

Continue to monitor their time on these devices so that they get plenty of exercise. Smart brains need healthy hearts.

Do you have a question about your child's education? E-mail it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. Her column of advice to parents runs regularly on this page.

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