My kids don’t play video games as much as they watch other people play video games. There is a whole genre of you tube dedicated to “play throughs” and my kids love them. Do you know of any research about harm/benefit of this past time. Also, separate question. How does virtual reality gaming play onto this or is it still too soon in the game to know?
Yes! Play throughs are super popular! I'd imagine the effects would be similar to any other more "passive" media experience (e.g., TV, watching other YouTube videos, etc.) - so maybe fewer benefits in terms of cognitive skills (working memory, response inhibition), but low risk of harm (unless the play-throughs are of games that are particularly violent). And VR gaming research is just starting to come out! I'll have to do a follow up post on that :)
Thank you. Can’t wait to read part 2. We must be a similar age because I have similar video game memories as you.. curse the Oregon trail !
Yes! Seems weird that we all knew the word dysentery at that age...!
My kids don’t play video games as much as they watch other people play video games. There is a whole genre of you tube dedicated to “play throughs” and my kids love them. Do you know of any research about harm/benefit of this past time. Also, separate question. How does virtual reality gaming play onto this or is it still too soon in the game to know?
Yes! Play throughs are super popular! I'd imagine the effects would be similar to any other more "passive" media experience (e.g., TV, watching other YouTube videos, etc.) - so maybe fewer benefits in terms of cognitive skills (working memory, response inhibition), but low risk of harm (unless the play-throughs are of games that are particularly violent). And VR gaming research is just starting to come out! I'll have to do a follow up post on that :)