The effect of video games on the psychological development of children has been under public debate for a long time – ever since the early 90s and the discussions in the United States Senate prompted by several Democratic Senators. Throughout their brief, yet intense history, games have either been criticized for promoting dangerous behavioral patterns (such as violence and reckless driving) or lauded for encouraging creativity and problem-solving skills. However, even though the industry has been making significant strides, with the advent of social network and mobile gaming, it seems that the discussions have piped down. What is the current take of the scientific community on video gaming? What are the latest findings of relevant research reports in the field? Read on to find out.

Video Games Produce Skewed Views on Religion

According to PhD student Greg Perreault from the University of Missouri School of Journalism, a large number of games incorporate religion into their storylines and game play. However, those portrayals often depict religious cults as violent and problematic, which, in the long run, might affect the young players’ perception of religion. Perreault took into consideration five video games that used religion as an essential part of their plot, such as Mass Effect 2, Final Fantasy 13 and Assassin’s Creed. While the researcher does not believe that gaming developers are intentionally trying to bash religion, he does question the often violent portrayals it receives.

Video Games Make Kids Creative

A study published by a group of researchers from Michigan State University concluded late last year that video games, irrespective of their degree of violence, as well as of the players’ gender, will help kids develop their creativity. The scientists analyzed a group of some 500 twelve year-olds who play games of all sorts, from innocuous online car games for kids online, to blood-bathed gore-matches such as Grand Theft Auto. The conclusion: the more games they played, the more creative the kids were. Conversely, kids who spent most of their time browsing the web, or using their cell phones reported no improvement of creativity.

On the Fence about Video Games

Douglas Gentile is one researcher who chooses to take an overall impartial view to the effect of video gaming and children. That’s essentially what the latest research study from Iowa State University’s associate psychology professor has to say on the matter: that current research hasn’t managed to either determine whether said games are basically good or basically bad for kids. His recently published article in Child Development Perspectives says that video games affect children and teenagers on five different levels, depending on how long they play, what the game’s content and context consist of, game structure and game play mechanics. Gentile argues in favor of a more balanced and nuanced approach when writing, reading and analyzing research reports on the link between child psychology and gaming, since no relevant results can be gauged by taking into consideration one single factor alone.

This article is an original contribution by Paul Estcott.

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