Are Video Games Good for Kids?

Paul
Apr 12
3 min read

If you’re a parent, you’ve probably asked:

“Are video games actually good for kids… or too much?”

At Gamevan, we’ve seen hundreds of parties across Liverpool and beyond, and we get a real-world view of how kids actually play, interact, and behave around games.

And when you combine that with what research says…

👉 The answer is more balanced than most people think.

🎮 What Science Actually Says About Gaming

Let’s start with the facts.

Research shows that gaming can have real cognitive benefits:

A large study of nearly 2,000 children found that kids who played video games performed better in memory and attention tasks compared to non-players (National Institutes of Health (NIH))
Gaming has been linked to improvements in:
- Problem-solving
- Spatial awareness
- Reaction speed (Psychology Today)

And importantly…

👉 Kids themselves say gaming helps them socialise and build friendships (childrenscommissioner.gov.uk)

Which is exactly what we see inside the van every weekend.

🚐 What We See First-Hand at Gamevan Parties

This is where things get interesting.

Gaming in a Gamevan isn’t:

❌ Kids sat alone staring at screens

✅ It’s loud, social, competitive, and shared

Kids are:

Talking constantly
Helping each other
Celebrating wins together

For many children — especially quieter ones — gaming is actually a confidence shortcut.

🕹️ How Gaming Has Changed Since “Back in the Day”

This is a big one for parents.

Gaming today is completely different from when you might have played:

Then:

Mostly single-player
Short sessions
Limited interaction

Now:

Online multiplayer
Constant updates + new content
Social gaming with friends
Competitive modes + tournaments

And because of that…

👉 Kids naturally want to play for longer.

In fact:

UK children aged 8–14 now spend almost 3 hours a day online on average (www.ofcom.org.uk)
Older teens can spend 20–30+ hours per week gaming (Ygam)

So it’s not just your child — this is a massive shift in how kids play and socialise today.

⚖️ The Key Question: How Much Gaming Is Too Much?

Here’s what the evidence suggests (keeping it simple):

🧒 Ages 5–11

Aim for under 2 hours per day of non-educational screen time (Welcare)

👦 Ages 6+

Many experts suggest 1–2 hours daily as a healthy balance (Mental Health Foundation)

⚠️ What happens if it’s too much?

Excessive gaming has been linked to:

Poor sleep
Less physical activity
Eye strain and fatigue (southwesthealth.org)

And in some cases:

It can interfere with school or social life (handspringhealth.com)

🎯 The Sweet Spot (What Actually Works)

From both research and what we see:

👉 The best setup is:

1–2 hours per day
With breaks
Plus plenty of non-screen activities (sports, outdoors, etc.)

And most importantly…

👉 Gaming is far more positive when it’s:

Social
Shared
Structured

(Which is exactly why Gamevan parties work so well)

🤝 Why Social Gaming Changes Everything

This is the biggest difference.

When gaming becomes:

A group activity
A party experience
A shared memory

It shifts from:

❌ Passive screen time