Video Games Offer Psychological Benefits

Video games cause parenting nightmares. Who hasn’t spent time tearing their child away from an Xbox- pleading with them to put the controller down and come to dinner? Video games equate to laziness for many, but new research shows video games can have benefits.

One study reveals the benefits of a game called Re-Mission™ where players sit in the driver seat of a miniature robot named Roxxi to fight cancer. In the game, players kill cancer cells and help fictional cancer patients battle the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. The results show young cancer patients who regularly play the game activate neural circuits, enhance attitudes, induce positive emotions, and stick more closely to treatment protocols.

Other research shows video games can facilitate children’s growth and education by enhancing problem-solving and creativity skills. Games can additionally help kids make friends, encourage exercise (as playing sports-related games encourage kids to play those sports in real life), and help kids learn about competition and leadership. Games can further bring kids and parents together.

Video games have also weaved their way into the new field of positive psychology. Jane McGonigal, a designer for a genre of games termed “alternate reality games,” fuses the science of optimal living with gaming. McGonigal’s most recent game, SuperBetter, is geared toward helping people achieve their health goals or recover from an illness/injury by increasing their personal resilience. Skills employed include staying curious, optimistic and motivated in the face of their adversity. The game builds up four kinds of strength: mental, physical, emotional, and social.

Innovative games can benefit kids’ mental, social, and emotional health. To help your kids access these benefits:

• Choose the right type of game for your kids. Games like McGonigal’s SuperBetter can provide real-world benefits.
• Make video gaming a family activity. Games like Guitar Hero have two-player settings and can inspire some family fun and healthy competition.
• Help kids use gaming as a social outlet. Suggest game play dates with friends so your kids can socially interact rather than playing solo.

Olivia Roat is a reporter for GoStrengths.com, a site dedicated to increasing the happiness of humankind.