Playing video games can have a surprising variety of benefits for kids, as long as the games are age appropriate and your child is safe from cyberbullies or potential online predators. The best games offer at least some educational material or real-life skill-building elements. Some of the positive things your child can gain from playing high-quality video games include:

Improved hand-eye coordination

Enhanced creative thinking and problem-solving skills, especially in games that involve puzzles

Ability to process information efficiently

Faster reflexes and reaction time, particularly in racing or action-oriented games

Slightly improved reading skills (since players must follow instructions and may encounter other important textual material in the game)

Improved visual-spatial skills (such as those necessary for navigating levels or worlds, or finding their way out of a maze)

Unintentional learning about real-world subjects that may be portrayed in some of the more educational games, such as history and engineering

Improved mood management and mental well-being because of the sense of control and accomplishment video games provide, especially when played with friends, Finally quality time with family, if everyone plays together.

Whether playing video games is good or bad can be as much a question of moderation as it is game content. If your child spends excessive amounts of time playing any video game—to the extent that they are neglecting other important parts of their lives—it can be harmful for their brains, bodies, and social lives. Spending too much time playing video games can:

Contribute to a shorter attention span

Involve excessive exposure to harmful themes and gameplay that promote violence, crime, bullying, racism, sexism, or misogyny 

Be detrimental to your child’s social life

Lead to weight gain and obesity

Cause kids to read less, fall behind on schoolwork, and earn poor grades

Reduce the amount and quality of sleep children get

Contribute to aggressive behavior