Video Gaming Effects on Children’s Behavior and Health with Douglas Gentile, PhD

The majority of today’s adolescents are video gaming - for many, daily. How much gaming is too much ? Are violent video games actually harmful to children? 

On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry sits down with Dr. Douglas Gentile, a Distinguished Professor at Iowa State University and renowned video gaming expert. Dr. Gentile discusses the latest  research on which aspects of gaming can affect child health and development, and the effects of violent media – including video games – on children’s aggressive feelings and behaviors. He also discusses the prevalence of gaming addiction and what features of games make them potentially addictive to children. Finally, Dr. Gentile explains how video games can have positive effects on social behavior and learning as well, and the power parents have to influence their children’s media use and behavioral outcomes.

In this episode, you will learn:

1. How the 5 “C’s” of video gaming work together to impact child behavior and health.
2. Why violent video games are linked to increased aggression in youth - and three major effects of violent media.
3. Why even “cute” animated  video games can increase aggression in kids, just as realistically violent games.
4. How many children are struggling with gaming addiction - and how to recognize the warning signs .
5. When video games help children learn and encourage prosocial behavior.

For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org)

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Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au