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 Video games may instill creativity in children, new studies suggest.
Video games can be good for children, encouraging creativity and cooperation, a European Union report says. In conclusions that may either surprise or reassure parents
of game addicts, the study by the European Parliament Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection found a number of benefits and no definitive link to
violent behaviour. Video games stimulate learning of facts and skills such as strategic reflection, creativity, cooperation and a sense of innovation, according to the report.
Total revenues from the video gaming sector amounted to more than nine billion dollars last year, the report said. In Britain, separate research last year showed video games
outselling music and other video products for the first time. The EU report noted that not all games are appropriate for children, but argued that some books and movies are
targeted for an older audience. It acknowledged that violence in some games could “stimulate” violent behavior in specific situations.
The report stressed parental involvement by proposing development of a “red button” that could allow parents to control
content and how long games are played. It did not elaborate as to what form this button would take. It further challenged
received wisdom that such games were chiefly for children, quoting statistics that showed the average age of the European gamer was 33.
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