Study of 11,000 Children Finds that Video Games Have Little Effect on Behavior

Despite overwhelming scientific evidence that there is not a strong link between video games and violent behavior, video games are still cited as a cause of mass shootings and other violence. A recent study of 11,000 children by the University of Glasgow stands as further evidence that the link is fallacious.

In “Do television and electronic games predict children’s psychosocial adjustment? Longitudinal research using the UK Millennium Cohort Study,” scientists surveyed the mothers of more than 11,000 children. They examined the amount of TV the children watched and how much time they spent playing electronic games at age 5 and whether either had an impact on the children’s behavior as measured by conduct problems by age 7. The scientists found a small correlation between TV viewing and children’s behavior if the children watched three or more hours of television a day. They found no link between the use of electronic games and adverse behavior.

It bears repeating: The use of electronic games by 5-year-olds did not result in poor behavior by age 7.

Researchers did note that the exposure to electronic games in the sample population was quite a bit lower than the exposure to television, which might have been a factor in the result. Further, they indicated that parents may exercise more control over electronic games than over television viewing.

In discussing their findings, the scientists behind the study hedged their bets by indicating the need for further research and that the exposure to TV and electronic games is not the major factor in behavioral problems, which can instead be better addressed by treating family issues, not limiting screen exposure:

The study highlights the need for more detailed data to explore risks of various forms of screen time, including exposure to screen violence. In addition, studies should further examine the associated child and family characteristics which appear to account for most of the simple associations between screen exposure and psychosocial adjustment. Our findings do not demonstrate that interventions to reduce screen exposure will improve psychosocial adjustment. Indeed, they suggest that interventions in respect of family and child characteristics, rather than a narrow focus on screen exposure, are more likely to improve outcomes. However, the study suggests that a cautionary approach to the heavy use of screen entertainment in young children is justifiable in terms of potential effects on mental wellbeing, particularly conduct problems, in addition to effects on physical health and academic progress shown elsewhere.