The effects of video games on school achievement
What are the effects of video games on school achievement? Certain types of gaming are linked with lower reading scores, but gaming may also have benefits.
Effects of electronic media
The effects of video games on altruism: Can role-playing make us more generous, helpful, or self-sacrificing?
Does playing helpful, even heroic characters make kids more prosocial? Research on the effects of video games suggests that it might.
Does screen time cause sleep problems children?
Research indicates that screen time can cause sleep problems for children. Exposure to artificial light at night is part of the trouble, but so is the sleep-disturbing nature of electronic content. And individual differences mean that some children are affected more than others. Read more about the risk factors, and the steps you can take to minimize sleep disruption.
The effects of violent video games: What does the research tell us?
Do violent video games have any negative effects on kids? Parenting Science takes a critical look at the research.
Calming with electronic media: Does screen time cause tantrums?
When we rely on electronic media to calm kids down, our children may fail to learn crucial lessons about self-regulation. They may also develop symptoms of dependency…throwing severe tantrums when we take their media away.
The effects of video games on prosocial behavior: Can the right games improve social skills?
What are the effects of video games on social behavior? Research suggests that some games encourage kids to be helpful and kind.
The effects of television on speech development: Is it helpful or harmful?
Studies report a link between TV and language development in young children. The more time kids spend watching television, the more slowly they learn to talk. What’s going on? Some people conclude that the effects of television on children are direct and negative. According to this view, television is noxious, like cigarette smoke. Cigarettes damage … Continue reading
How television affects sleep — and what we can do to sleep better
How does television affect sleep? In adults, it can push back bedtimes and disrupt sleep patterns. In young children, even more can go wrong. Here’s what to look out for.
The sexualization of girls: How the popular culture harms our kids
© 2010-2019 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved What do psychologists mean by the ” sexualization of girls? “ According to the American Psychological Association, sexualization occurs when “individuals are regarded as sex objects and evaluated in terms of their physical characteristics and sexiness.” That isn’t something that children should ever have to contend with. … Continue reading
Television violence: Do kids like it? Do adults like it?
Studies suggest that both children and adults are happier when they reduce exposure to violent television content. Media creators serve up lots of television violence, and there’s reason for concern. Exposure to media violence may cause sleep problems in young children. It also puts kids at higher risk for developing behavior problems. Defenders argue that … Continue reading
The effects of video games: A guide for the science-minded
© 2010 – 2014, Gwen Dewar, all rights reserved What are the effects of video games? Video games are highly interactive and adaptive, and often induce a sense of psychological “flow” in players — that sense of effortless concentration that makes time fly. Such features make for compelling entertainment, and promising educational applications. But they … Continue reading
Beneficial effects of video games: Do action video games sharpen spatial skills?
Assessing the beneficial effects of video games Some parents worry about video games, and their worries aren’t unwarranted. Video games can be engrossing, so much so that kids neglect other activities, like school work, chores, exercise, and sleep. There is also experimental evidence that playing violent video games has an immediate, negative influence on our … Continue reading