Tactics for Healthy Gaming⁠↗

Research shows that kids who play games to escape real life (that is, to block unpleasant emotions or avoid confronting real-life stress) have a very difficult time translating their game skills to real life. This approach tends to increase depression, worsen social isolation, and in cases lead to addiction. On the other hand, kids who play games with a purpose (that is, to spend quality with friends and family, learn something new, or improve a skill) are able to activate their gameful strengths in real-world contexts.

Research shows that games benefit us mentally and emotionally when we play up to 3 hours a day, or 21 hours a week. When we play more than 21 hours a week, the benefits of gaming start to decline and are replaced with negative impacts on our health and relationships. So far, no study has found negative impacts on people (kids and adults) who play video games less than 21 hours a week.

If we want kids to retain what they “study” better, they should play video games first, then study before going to sleep. While it may sound counterintuitive, studies show that when we go to sleep, our brain focuses on the most salient problem it was recently trying to solve (think Queen’s Gambit). So reverse the order: First play, then study.

And this is what makes games the ultimate learning simulator—kids realize that they can teach themselves anything. Games make kids feel empowered to learn and improve on their own.

With games, kids learn on demand They learn the skill they need right when they need it. Research shows that this is the best way to retain what we learn.