In a surprise twist, the study has found that video games are actually beneficial to teens. The full report (PDF) shows that gaming and community helps kids become more civic minded, encourages interest in charity and politics, and increases socialization. As Kristin Kalning wrote on MSNBC:More info at CNET.
Video games can provide hands-on learning opportunities for kids that can be much more meaningful than reading a textbook. For instance, you can play a mayor in SimCity, and get a close-up look at what it takes to build and maintain a community. Helping a newbie get his sea legs in a game simulates the real-world experience of volunteering. And playing games online can expose kids to people with worldviews that differ from their own--in positive and negative ways.
97% of American teens play games
Posted on Saturday, September 20 2008 @ 8:07 CEST by Thomas De MaesschalckA new report by Pew Internet & American Life Project found that 97 percent of all American teens, ages 12-17, are gamers. Around 31 percent of teen gamers play every day, and another 21 percent plays games three to five days a week. Interestingly, the study also found that games are beneficial to teens:
