The Effect of Video Games on Early Cognitive Development

In 2004, an estimated 60% of Americans (145 million people) played video games regularly. The average gamer is 29 years old.

In 2014, 91% of children between the ages of 2 and 17 regularly played video games. Among teenagers, 99% of boys and 94% of girls are gamers.

An extensive neurological study revealed that children’s brains receive the same amount of stimulus from video games as they do from traditional play. Playtime is critical for a child’s development.

61 fifth graders were tested on their spatial reasoning skills, of the group, the children who had been exposed to a fast paced video game were more efficient at pattern and motion identification.

Gamer children outshine their non gamer peers in: Visual tracking Environmental awareness Processing visual cues Multitasking Mental flexibility Memory Spatial reasoning Quick decision making

While gaming, brain release excessive amounts of dopamine, a neurotransmitter known to stimulate happiness and addiction. Gamers experience dopamine levels equivalent to those released after amphetamine injections. A study on rats suggests that high dopamine levels can increase the brain’s potential for learning, especially in young children.

Video games have been proven to be beneficial to the brain development of elementary school aged children. However, children who spent more than half of their free time playing video games experienced lower prosocial behavior and life satisfaction.

In moderation, video games give children a unique opportunity to become more efficient and quick learners.

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