Researchers analyzing data from 9,855 U.S. children aged 9 to 10 found that those who spent more time playing videogames showed, on average, a 2.5-point increase in IQ scores, with the largest gains observed in reading comprehension, memory and self-control.
Scope and findings of the study
The study used a large sample of children and controlled for key potential confounders, including genetic factors and socioeconomic context, in an effort to reduce bias. Results indicated a modest association between greater videogame use and higher cognitive test scores, though the analysis did not establish causation.
Published in Scientific Reports, the research points to specific cognitive domains—reading comprehension, memory and impulse control—where the increases were most noticeable.
Comparison with other screen activities
Investigators also compared videogame play with other common screen activities. Watching television and using social media showed no significant association with IQ measures in this sample, leading the authors to suggest that different types of screen time may have distinct cognitive effects.
Limits and unanswered questions
The authors stress that the observed IQ difference was modest and that the study did not examine other important outcomes related to screen time, such as physical activity, sleep quality and overall well-being. Those domains remain open for further research.
“Now we will study the effects of other environmental factors and how cognitive effects relate to children’s brain development,” said neuroscientist Torkel Klingberg, one of the researchers involved in the study.
Implications for understanding intelligence
Beyond the specific association with videogame time, the study reinforces the view that intelligence is not fixed and can be influenced by activities and experiences. The authors recommend additional studies to clarify mechanisms and to determine whether and how videogame play directly contributes to cognitive development.
