Playing Video Games Doesn't Affect Social Development In Boys
With increasing popularity, debate over the effects of gaming on children and young adults are on the rise. Some studies do suggest that they are harmless, but a recent study suggests that gaming may effect the development of social skills in young girls.
The Society for Research in Child Development has published the results of a study focused on the effects of gaming on children’s development. The most interesting find involves the differences between the social development in boys as compared to girls.
According to the study, boys’ social development was not impacted gaming, but girls who spent more time gaming earlier in their adolescence displayed weaker social skills and development.
Children with higher body mass index (BMI) experience problems developing social skills and therefore are more likely to be attracted towards video games as a way to fill their need to belong.
Those who played games with their friends had more opportunities to practice social skills than youth who played alone or online with strangers.
The study involved 873 kids in Norway and was conducted for 6 years with assessments every 2 years.