Timo Sutton

Your mother always told you not to sit too close to the tv because it would ruin your eyes. Personally, I think I had to get glasses because both of my parents had poor vision. We've been given nuggets of wisdom like this our whole lives. Very little is based on any fact, but that doesn't stop them from being spread. Another popular "theory" is that video games will rot your brain, rob you of your imagination, and turn your children into socially inept lumps who fear the outside world.

But a new study suggest that playing online games actually help children learn about economy, teamwork, and leadership. Scientists at Brunel University's School of Sport and Education in West London spent the last three years studying 13-16 year-old gamers who played the MMO "Runescape". Unlike solo games, MMO's like Runescape require the play to rely on teammates to succeed. In an age where parents live in fear of their children being the victim of violence, environments that only an MMO can offer have become increasingly attractive. The child is in no real danger and is encouraged to problem-solve and experiment. Online they can freely explore ideas of "gender, race, and ability" which can be applied to the self.

In a world where online gaming is considered childish to some, taboo to others, and a danger to youth to still more, Dr Simon Bradford says "At a time when emerging technologies such as the Internet, and computer games in particular, continue to be subject to suspicion and concern, it is important that we also recognize the benefits of what is an increasingly popular and important activity for our young people."

It is studies such as this they could help break the social stigma around online gaming and help educate older generations to it's benefits. Although I'm sure your mother won't want you to sit too close to your monitor....

(original article: CNN.com "Learning to be Leaders" by Matthew Knight)