Why video games are good for your health

Many people assume that video games have a negative effect on young people. A lot of time in front of a screen is bad for the mind and the body, they believe. Newspaper headlines often express the same opinion - and combat games cause the most concern because of the violence. But is there any evidence for this view? According to a report in American Psychologist, the truth is not so simple. Playing video games is sometimes good for children's education, health and social skills.

Research shows that video games can actually improve certain mental skills. This is especially true for combat games. These games teach players to think about objects in three dimensions and this makes them better at studying science, technology, engineering and maths. Other types of video game do not usually provide these benefits.

However, other types of video game can have other positive effects. In 2013, scientists did some research into the effect of role-playing games (RPGs) on children. The research showed that when children spend a lot of time playing RPGs, they get better grades at school than children who do not play them. Other research showed that playing any kind of video game, including violent games, improves children's creativity. But using a computer or smartphone for emails or other tasks does not provide this benefit.

Quick and simple games like Angry Birds can improve players' mood and prevent them from feeling anxious. This emotional benefit is important, the report suggests. Feeling relaxed and happy is good for your health. The report also describes another emotional benefit of video games: they teach children how to react well to failure. In video games, players continually fail and try again. This makes them emotionally strong in real life.

Video games can improve social skills too, the report says. More than 70% of gamers play with a friend, not alone, and millions of people take part in huge online games like Minecraft and Farmville. The players learn useful social skills: how to lead a group, how to work together and how to make decisions. Overall, the report does not deny that some video games can have negative effects; but it is important to think about the benefits too. And remember: you mustn't believe everything you read in the newspapers!