A new study finds that playing video games can slightly increase children's IQ. This challenges the common belief that gaming harms young minds. The research involved 9,855 children and looked into various influencing factors.
Video games linked to higher IQ
Study involved nearly 10,000 kids
Spending 1 hour daily playing boosted IQ
TV and social media had no impact
Factors like genetics were considered
More research is needed on screen time
Playing video games might actually make children smarter, according to researchers. They studied nearly 10,000 kids, focusing on how time spent gaming influences intelligence. While the increase in IQ was minor—about 2.5 points—it still raises questions about traditional views on gaming.
Video Games Linked to Higher Intelligence
The study involved 9,855 kids aged 9 and 10 from the U.S. Researchers found that children who played video games for an hour daily saw their IQ rise more than those who didn’t game much. This counters the idea that screen time is harmful and suggests gaming could have cognitive benefits.
Here’s a closer look at their data:
Average time playing games: 1 hour
Average screen time for TV/videos: 2.5 hours
Time socializing online: 30 minutes
TV and Social Media’s Neutral Effects
Interestingly, kids watching TV or using social media didn’t show any cognitive changes, positive or negative. The research suggests that gaming could be an exception, prompting more debates about what kinds of screen time are beneficial or harmful.
TV showed no cognitive benefits
Social media also neutral
Gaming may support mental growth
Consideration of genetics important
Importance of Continued Research
The researchers point out the need for more studies to delve deeper into how screen time affects children. Their current findings are limited to IQ without considering other factors like physical activity or sleep quality.
They’re also planning to investigate how various environmental aspects contribute to cognitive development.
Luca Fischer is a senior technology journalist with more than twelve years of professional experience specializing in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and consumer electronics. L. Fischer earned his M.S. in Computer Science from Columbia University in 2011, where he developed a strong foundation in data science and network security before transitioning into tech media.
Throughout his career, Luca has been recognized for his clear, analytical approach to explaining complex technologies. His in-depth articles explore how AI innovations, privacy frameworks, and next-generation devices impact both industry and society.
Luca’s work has appeared across leading digital publications, where he delivers detailed reviews, investigative reports, and feature analyses on major players such as Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, AMD, Intel, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity AI.
Beyond writing, he mentors young journalists entering the AI-tech field and advocates for transparent, ethical technology communication. His goal is to make the future of technology understandable and responsible for everyone.
