Hello and welcome to our podcast. Today we’re diving into the surprising benefits of video games. You might assume gaming only distracts us—and it’s true that excessive play can be harmful—but decades of research tell a different story.

First, cognitive skills get a serious boost. Researchers found that “the spatial skills improvements derived from playing commercially available shooter video games are comparable to the effects of formal … courses aimed at enhancing these same skills.” They also report that “playing any kind of video game, regardless of whether or not it is violent, enhances children’s creative capacities.”

Second, games teach us to embrace failure. As one study puts it, “persistence in the face of failure reaps valued rewards,” and gamers actually respond to failure with “excitement, interest, and joy.” That mindset carries over into real-world challenges.

Third, during the pandemic, console owners reported better mental health—proof that gaming can be a powerful social and emotional outlet.

Finally, if you’re weighing gaming against social media, remember this finding: “The effects of screen time and addictive use of social media … were larger than the effects of gaming.”

So next time someone questions your hobby, you’ll know gaming might just be good for your brain—and your well-being.
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