New Research Shows Video Games Improve Literacy

A new study linked video games to improved literacy, creativity, positive communication, empathy and mental wellbeing in young people.

According to this survey, 79% of young people who play video games also read material related to the medium. This includes in-game communications for 40% of the respondents, reviews and blogs for 31%, books for 22%, and fan fiction for 19%.

35% of the respondents also said that playing games made them better readers. This link between gaming and improved literacy was particularly strong for boys and “reluctant readers,” the study added.

Games seem to be a good way to engage reluctant readers with stories, with 73% of the respondents who don’t like to read saying that playing games helps them feel “more part of a story” than reading a book.

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