A university in Iowa, USA, has conducted a study which they report indicates that kids who watch TV and play video games for more than four hours a day are more likely to develop attention deficit related problems.
Medical professionals recommend that children spend no more than 2 hours per day watching TV and playing games.
Associate professor of psychology Douglas Gentile, explains that , “Brain science demonstrates that the brain becomes what the brain does. If we train the brain to require constant stimulation and constant flickering lights, changes in sound and camera angle, or immediate feedback, such as video games can provide, then when the child lands in the classroom where the teacher doesn’t have a million-dollar-per-episode budget, it may be hard to get children to sustain their attention.”
The study followed 1300 children from various elementary schools, paying close attention to their daily video game and TV habits. An additional 200 college students were also followed. Participants found to spend more than 2 hours per day playing games or watching TV were 1.5 to 2 times more likely to have attention problems.
Furthermore, most participants were found to spend significantly more than the recommended 2 hours, with the average being calculated at 4.26 hours per day. This is apparently low compared to the US’s national average.
“It is still not clear why screen media may increase attention problems, but many researchers speculate that it may be due to rapid-pacing, or the natural attention grabbing aspects that television and video games use,” said study coordinator Douglas Swing.
Now, before we go and blame video games as the sole cause of ADHD, Swing also pointed out that “It is important to note that television or video game time cannot solely explain the development of attention problems. Clearly other factors are involved.”
More research is being conducted into the relationship between Games and attention disorders.
Read the full study results here.
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