A study published in the scientific journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, conducted by researchers from Columbia University, analyzed data on 3,195 children aged 6 to 11 from several European countries. The results show that children who regularly play video games have significantly higher chances of developing enhanced intellectual abilities and better overall school competence. Specifically, more intensive gaming is associated with a 1.75 times greater likelihood of high intellectual functioning and a 1.88 times greater likelihood of better academic performance. Approximately 20 percent of the children in the study played video games for more than five hours per week, and the assessments included data from parents, teachers, and the children themselves. One of the study's authors, epidemiologist Dr. Katherine Keyes, emphasized that the results indicate that children who frequently play video games are "well integrated into peer groups and the school community." However, experts caution that the findings should not be interpreted as a call for unlimited screen time. They stress that moderation is key and that parents should still set clear boundaries regarding screen time. The conclusion of the study is that video games can have positive effects on children's development, but further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms of this influence.