Video games help develop intelligence in children, international study finds

An international group of scientists from Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden conducted a large-scale study of the impact of video games on children's cognitive development. The experiment involved 9,855 children aged 9-10, who were observed for two years. The scientists analyzed the time the children spent playing video games and on social networks, and regularly assessed their intellectual abilities using special tests.

The results showed that children who spent more time playing games than recommended demonstrated a more significant increase in IQ compared to their peers - their scores increased by an average of 2.5 points higher. Testing included an assessment of text comprehension, visual information processing, various types of memory, self-control and flexibility of thinking. At the same time, active use of social networks and online communication did not have a similar effect - the intellectual development of children in these groups corresponded to standard age norms. The study confirms the potential benefits of moderate passion for video games for the development of cognitive abilities in children.