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It looks like the kids are alright, after all. A new study from the University of Maryland shows that more time spent in front of a computer doesn't hurt a child's academic performance, and, in some cases, actually improves test scores. Led by family science professor Sandra L. Hofferth, the six-year study followed a group of 1,000 children, who were between the ages of six and 12 in 1997, and continued through 2003. As the students spent more time on computers, their test scores didn't suffer significantly, even if they spent most of their time playing games on their PCs.

The results, published in the academic journal Child Development, show that African-American boys' reading scores improved by four points as they increased their computer time, while girls' math and reading scores both increased by a point. The only group to experience a decline in academic achievement, however, were white male adolescents, who displayed a small, but statistically significant decline -- a trend that Hofferth attributes to too much time spent aimlessly surfing the Web. "Too much just random surfing isn't necessarily good," Hofferth told the Washington Post. "However, playing games and studying are more focused, and they have a positive effect."Continue reading Kids Who Spend More Time on Computers Don't Suffer Academically, Study Says
Kids Who Spend More Time on Computers Don't Suffer Academically, Study Says originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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