Study Finds Video Games May Boost Kids’ IQ

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It turns out that time spent gaming might not be as harmful to young minds as once thought. In fact, new research suggests it could even give children a boost in intelligence.

A 2022 study published in Scientific Reports found a surprising link between playing video games and an increase in children’s IQ. Conducted by researchers from the Netherlands, Germany, and Sweden, the study tracked nearly 10,000 children in the U.S. aged 9 to 10 over a two-year period.

“Our results support the claim that screen time generally doesn’t impair children’s cognitive abilities,” said neuroscientist Torkel Klingberg from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. “Playing video games can actually help boost intelligence.”

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The Numbers Behind the Discovery

On average, the kids in the study spent:

• 1 hour per day playing video games
  
• 2.5 hours watching TV or online videos
  
• 30 minutes socializing online

Two years later, researchers followed up with more than 5,000 of the original participants. The children who spent more time than average playing video games showed an IQ increase of 2.5 points above the average gain.

IQ was measured through tasks involving:

• Reading comprehension
  
• Visual-spatial processing
  
• Memory and flexible thinking
  
• Self-control

What This Means for Gaming and Brain Development

This seems to confirm what many gamers already suspected long before any studies backed it up. As usual, each new generation tends to criticize the things the next generation enjoys — especially when it involves technology they didn’t grow up with. Video games have often been unfairly demonized, with claims that they rot young minds or promote laziness.

Parents and critics have pushed these stereotypes, sometimes banning their children from gaming based on little more than nostalgic ideas of what a “proper childhood” should look like. These outdated stigmas are now being challenged — and in many cases, completely disproven.

Of course, some people will continue to hold onto their beliefs despite evidence to the contrary — what we might call willful ignorance. But that’s the reality: people form opinions based on what others say, often without ever doing their own research.

With more studies like this emerging, we’re seeing a shift in public perception. The gaming audience is growing, and the old stigmas are slowly fading. The results are especially noteworthy because the study accounted for genetic and socioeconomic differences — something many earlier studies failed to do. This makes the findings even more valuable, as they better isolate the effects of gaming itself.

Interestingly, watching TV or using social media had no clear positive or negative impact on intelligence.

While the researchers were careful not to claim a direct cause-and-effect relationship, they emphasized that intelligence is not fixed — and that gaming may play a real role in developing cognitive abilities.

A Step Forward in the Screen Time Debate

Screen time remains a hot topic among parents, teachers, and experts. This study adds a new angle to the conversation: not all screen time is created equal.

It’s important to note that the study didn’t differentiate between types of games (e.g., mobile vs. console), nor did it analyze the impact on physical health, sleep, or school performance. More research is needed to paint a full picture. Still, the message is encouraging for both gamers and parents.

“Digital media defines modern childhood, but its cognitive effects are unclear and hotly debated,” the research team wrote. “We believe studies with genetic data can clarify causal claims.”

So, Should Kids Game More?

Not necessarily. But it does mean that moderate gaming can be beneficial, especially when compared to more passive screen habits like binge-watching or endless scrolling on social media.

Parents should still monitor screen time responsibly. The issue isn’t just gaming — it’s about balance. Kids should also be doing homework, staying active, and getting enough sleep. But this study supports what many in the gaming community have long believed: video games can be powerful tools for cognitive growth.

With more studies like this in the future, we’ll better understand just how much video games can shape — and strengthen — our minds.

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