Now there’s proof that playing video games has its benefits. According to a new study by the University of Rochester, video games can train people to make the right decisions faster. The research, published in Current Biology, shows that action video game players developed a heightened sensitivity to what is going on around them. Researchers also found that games can improve skills for everyday activities like multitasking, driving, reading and navigating around town.
But gamers shouldn’t celebrate yet. Doctors aren’t ready to throw out the conventional wisdom that gaming can be harmful. While playing video games might improve reaction time and decision making, it’s also been linked to early death. Just a few months before the University of Rochester research was released, another survey found that too much time in front of a television screen can increase your risk of a heart attack.
Another recent study published in The Journal of Pediatrics shows the effects on children in the United States and around the world. According to the study nearly a third of children sit around for three hours or more watching television and playing video games. Inactivity is what leads to childhood obesity and other deadly health problems.
