Video Games and Attention Span

While various studies can indicate that video gaming has a detrimental effect on the attention span of children and adults, NASA has used the techniques developed to test the brain activities of pilots to indicate that video games actually improve our attention span. The study, conducted at Langley Research Center showed that the 22 children, between the ages of 9 and 14 showed attention span improvements and reductions in impulsiveness and hyperactivity. Langley researchers are now indicating the use of a video game platform in the treatment of ADHD.

In this limited study, (22 children versus the over 1,300 children tested in a University of Iowa study that proves that video games damage the attention span) falsely seeks to assure parents, teachers, and mental health professionals that video games are good for our children.

Video games may indeed capture and maintain the attention of children, (as well as adults), in that one area. I feel that it is only a matter of time before video game addiction is addressed by the DSM in the same manner as alcohol and drug addictions are classified now.

The problem lies in the fact that video games capture the attention of a child so completely that other areas of their lives, like school and social interactions suffer the consequences. When a child spends part of each day playing these games, other activities seem dull in comparison. That amount of fascination with a fantasy world leads to difficulties dealing with actuality.

Treating ADHD with video games is essentially just another way to hide a problem in a corner. Video games do not focus the attention on any one thing. Instead, children with ADHD are exposed to long periods of sensory overload. The atmosphere of a video game does nothing to treat the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, it instead caters to them.

ADHD and other conditions involving attention span have increased in occurrence as video gaming has increased in popularity. In addition to the rising addiction to video games, obesity in children has reached an all-time high as a result.

These things are not unrelated. Children who play video games are less active then their counterparts who do not play. This decreased activity results in a higher occurrence of childhood obesity. As a direct result, the decreased activity associated with video gaming can be associated with decreased attention span in school. Children are energetic creatures, and playing video games does not expend that energy. Children who are not physically active may appear fidgety, and have a difficult time paying attention in class.

Video gaming in children should be closely monitored by parents, if not disallowed completely. Physical activities and social interaction should be encouraged. I feel that using video games in the treatment of ADHD will only serve to exacerbate the problem.

www.sti.nasa.gov
www.webmd.com
www.healthnet.com