Video Gaming Associated With a Modest IQ Boost in Children, Study Finds
TL;DR
A US ABCD study followed about 9,855 kids aged 9–10, with over 5,000 re-evaluated after two years. Those who spent more time playing video games showed an average IQ increase of roughly 2.5 points beyond the typical rise, even after adjusting for genetics and socioeconomic factors. No significant cognitive effects were found for TV watching or social media. Gains were linked to tasks in reading, visual-spatial processing, memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. The study does not prove causation and did not differentiate game types; more research is needed. Published in Scientific Reports.
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