Video games' effects on children is a gray matter, psychology expert says

By Staff Writer

A psychology professor from Iowa State University (ISU) claims that there are multiple dimensions that shape video games' effects on children.

Although many past studies have characterized violent video games as either "good" or "bad" for children, the ISU researcher said that there is more gray area that parents should be aware of.

Instead of considering the amount of time that a child plays video games and the content of the products, he said adults should look at three other factors: context, structure and mechanics. Although violent content may lead to more aggressive behavior among some adolescents, he said that the context of the game-playing experience may influence future behavior.

If family members or friends are playing the game with children, then they are receiving encouragement from people they care about when performing aggressive tasks. On the other hand, the professor said that social experiences may curb the harmful effects of video games. This may be healthier than a child playing the game in an isolated environment, where he or she can more easily become entranced by the violent content.

In 2007, a Harris Poll reported that approximately 8.5 percent of children between ages 8 and 18 could be classified as video game addicts.

Adolescents who exhibit addictive behaviors may benefit from attending summer camps for kids, which promote many healthy activities that do not involve television or the internet.