In a study of thousands of children ages 3-18, a 1-hour-a-day increase in video game time on weekdays was found to increase mathematical-reasoning scores by 9.3pc of a standard deviation — about the same as spending the time studying, either inside or outside of school, says Agne Suziedelyte of Monash University in Australia.

The effect is larger in families that invest more time in their children. Video games appear to improve children’s problem-solving ability, a skill that is useful in many life and work situations, Suziedelyte says.

(Source: Economic Inquiry)

Published in Dawn, Economic & Business, March 23rd , 2015

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