Many people assume that video games have a negative effect on young people.
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in front of a screen
A lot of time in front of a screen is bad for the mind and the body, they believe.
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express the same opinion
Newspaper headlines often express the same opinion - and combat games cause the most concern because of the violence.
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evidence for
But is there any evidence for this view?
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the truth is not so simple
According to a report in American Psychologist, the truth is not so simple.
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children's education
Playing video games is sometimes good for children's education, health and social skills.
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improve certain mental skills
Research shows that video games can actually improve certain mental skills.
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especially true for
This is especially true for combat games.
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makes them better
These games teach players to think about objects in three dimensions and this makes them better at studying science, technology, engineering and maths.
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provide these benefits
Other types of video game do not usually provide these benefits.
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positive effects
However, other types of video game can have other positive effects.
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get better grades
The research showed that when children spend a lot of time playing RPGs, they get better grades at school than children who do not play them.
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children's creativity.
Other research showed that playing any kind of video game, including violent games, improves children's creativity.
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improve players' mood
Quick and simple games like Angry Birds can improve players' mood and prevent them from feeling anxious.
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good for your health
Feeling relaxed and happy is good for your health.
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react well to failure.
The report also describes another emotional benefit of video games: they teach children how to react well to failure.
