Video Games Teach Skills
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Comment| Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 | | CWK Producer |
“What it (the study) was actually saying is that there are, in fact, benefits to these newer (first-person shooter) games.”
– Joanne Max, Ph.D., psychologist
The games David Neckman plays require quick thinking, quick reactions and a stomach for virtual violence, something his mother doesn’t have.
“She’s like ‘they teach me to kill people’ or something,” says David, 17.
“We don’t know, so you kind of speculate, and when you see violence … you naturally associate it to violent acts,” says his mother, Susan Neckman.
But while there’s plenty of research on the violence in video games and its potential harm, new research from Fordham University finds that playing video games can improve planning and problem-solving skills in younger children.
“You’re used to doing a whole lot of things at once because you’ll look at your map, and there’ll be three people and they’ll all be in different places, so you have to deal with all of them,” David Neckham says.
Researchers performed their study in computer labs, so there’s no proof that David’s “skill” translates to the real world. Still, experts say, planning and fast problem solving are the same things that can make a teenager a better driver, for example.
“As much as I’m not personally a big fan of single-person shooter games, if it does in fact show that we can improve our scanning skills and our planning skills, then I’ve got to hope that it would perhaps make an adolescent behind a 3,000-4,000 pound machine potentially a safer driver,” says psychologist Joanne Max.
On the other hand, experts say that plenty of other games can likely teach the same skills without the shooting and without the blood.
David’s mother lets him play – as long as he doesn’t overdo it.
“My son’s a good kid, so I didn’t really make a big issue of him playing the games,” Mrs. Neckman says.
Tips for Parents
A previous study from the University of Rochester in New York found similar results to the Fordham study. It suggests that playing video games may be somewhat beneficial to children’s development. In four experiments, for six months researchers analyzed subjects who played video games several times a week. They found that these individuals were capable of monitoring more complex visual information more easily than non-gamers. In fact, when the researchers monitored novice players for 10 hours of training on the game “Medal of Honor,” they found that the gamers improved their visual processing skills. The researchers concluded that the fast-moving action of such games as “Spiderman” actually pushes player’s limits, forcing them to juggle a number of varied tasks and thus helping them to develop different aspects of visual attention.
How popular is gaming among children today? The National Institute on Media and the Family (NIMF) cites the following data concerning children and video games:
- An estimated 86% of teens are playing video games at home.
- Four out of 10 parents rarely use the rating system when letting their children buy or play games.
- Seven out of 10 parents say they know little to nothing about the video game rating system.
- 38% of parents say they argue with their child about how much time they spend gaming.
What kinds of effects does gaming have on a child? The NIMF cites the following positive and negative aspects of gaming:
Positives:
- Video game playing introduces children to technology.
- Games can give practice in following directions.
- Some games provide practice in problem-solving and logic.
- Games can provide practice in use of fine motor and spatial skills.
- Games can provide occasions for adults and children to play together.
- Users are introduced to information technology.
- They can serve as therapeutic applications with patients.
- They provide entertainment.
- Games could foster social isolation, as they are often played alone.
- Practicing violent acts may contribute more to aggressive behavior than passive television watching.
- Women are often portrayed as weaker characters who are helpless.
- Game environments are often based on plots of violence, aggression and gender bias.
- Many games only offer an arena of weapons, killings, kicking, stabbing and shooting.
- Feelings of mastery occur in a world that is not real – a video world.
- The long-term effect on aggression is unknown.
- More often, games do not offer action that requires independent thought or creativity.
- Games can confuse reality and fantasy.
- In violent games, players must become more violent to win.
As a parent, you must monitor your child’s involvement in gaming. The NIMF offers the following strategy for keeping tabs on your child’s exposure to video games:
- Limit game playing time – no more than one hour per day is recommended.
- Play with your child to become familiar with the games.
- Provide alternative ways for child to spend his or her time.
- Require that homework and jobs be completed first. Use video game playing as a reward.
- Do not put a video game set in your child’s room where he or she can shut the door and isolate himself or herself.
- Talk about the content of the games your child plays.
- Ask your video store to require parental approval before a video game with a violence rating can be rented or purchased by children.
References
- Fordham University
- National Institute on Media and the Family (NIMF)
- University of Rochester
