Can video games actually be good for you?

Ask a group of parents about video games and you will probably hear a long list of worries: they are addictive, they make children lazy, they keep teenagers awake until three in the morning. Some of these concerns are justified. But a growing body of research suggests that, in the right amounts, games may also have real benefits.

Some of the most interesting findings concern fast-paced action games. In laboratory studies, regular players of these games often perform better on tests of visual attention – for example, noticing small details quickly or keeping track of several moving objects at once. Researchers are still debating how much these skills transfer to everyday life, but the results have surprised many people who assumed gaming could only harm the brain.

Games can also be social. Many young people play online with friends, chatting and working together to solve problems. For teenagers who find it hard to make friends at school, an online community can provide a sense of belonging. Puzzle and strategy games, meanwhile, require planning, patience and the ability to learn from failure – after all, most players lose many times before they win.

That does not mean there are no risks. In 2019, the World Health Organization officially recognised “gaming disorder”, a condition in which people lose control over their gaming to the point that it seriously damages their studies, work or relationships. Experts stress that this affects only a small minority of players, but for them the consequences can be serious. Late-night gaming can also cut into sleep, which is essential for concentration and mood.

So how much is too much? Most researchers avoid giving a single number. Instead, they suggest looking at the balance in a person’s life. Is the player still sleeping well, seeing friends, doing schoolwork and getting some exercise? If so, gaming is probably not a problem. If games are replacing all of these, it may be time to cut back.

The type of game matters too. A game that encourages cooperation or creative building is very different from one designed mainly to make players spend money on extra items.

In the end, as with television, social media or even chocolate, the question may not be whether video games are good or bad, but how, when and how much we play them.