Allowing your kids screen time is not necessarily a sedentary activity depending on what they’re doing. A new study shows that playing video games is probably better for your young ones than letting them sit in front of the television. Researchers in the Games Research and Interaction Design Lab at Queensland University of Technology examined the effects of games and television shows for children ages 2-5. They separated the media into two categories: passive or active. Active experiences can refer to content that stimulates them either physically or mentally. It turns out video games can stimulate kids both mentally and physically, and therefore are probably a better option, at least according to this study, than television. Some games require light to moderate physical activity, while others require children to interact with the game.
About Shelly Palmer
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with AI strategy, implementation and governance, as well as technology, media and marketing. Named one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices in Technology, he is a bestselling author, covers tech and business for Fox 5’s Good Day New York, is a regular commentator on CNN, and writes the popular daily business blog Think About This. Follow @shellypalmer or visit shellypalmer.com.