Health Benefits of Video Games in Adolescents and Young Adults

Jason M. Nagata; Sahana Nayak; William Choi; Char Potes; Alexander Heuer; Zain Memon; Jonanne Talebloo; Elizabeth J. Li; Kevin Bao; Christiane K. Helmer; Megan A. Moreno; Jason M. Lavender

doi:10.1007/s40124-026-00376-y

Health Benefits of Video Games in Adolescents and Young Adults

Jason M. Nagata^*
, Sahana Nayak
, William Choi
, Char Potes
, Alexander Heuer
, Zain Memon
, Jonanne Talebloo
, Elizabeth J. Li
, Kevin Bao
, Christiane K. Helmer
, Megan A. Moreno
, Jason M. Lavender

^*Corresponding author for this work

Medicine

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose of Review: Although studies of outcomes associated with video gaming in adolescence and young adulthood largely focus on potential harms, video game use may also promote certain health benefits. This review synthesizes the positive health outcomes associated with video gaming, while providing recommendations to clinicians for considering and evaluating both beneficial and adverse effects. Recent Findings: Recent evidence suggests that video gaming may strengthen the development of cognitive and executive functioning in adolescents and young adults. Moreover, video game use may also contribute positively to social connection and personal identity formation. Summary: Clinicians should engage in open, nonjudgmental dialogue with youth to better explore the context and patterns of their video gaming. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ 5 Cs framework and Family Media Plan offer evidence-based frameworks that can be referenced to facilitate thoughtful discussions about video game use.

Original language	English
Article number	2
Pages (from-to)	2
Journal	Current Pediatrics Reports
Volume	14
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s40124-026-00376-y
State	Published - Jan 2026

Keywords

Digital media
Social connection
Video games
Well-being
Youth

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title = "Health Benefits of Video Games in Adolescents and Young Adults",

abstract = "Purpose of Review: Although studies of outcomes associated with video gaming in adolescence and young adulthood largely focus on potential harms, video game use may also promote certain health benefits. This review synthesizes the positive health outcomes associated with video gaming, while providing recommendations to clinicians for considering and evaluating both beneficial and adverse effects. Recent Findings: Recent evidence suggests that video gaming may strengthen the development of cognitive and executive functioning in adolescents and young adults. Moreover, video game use may also contribute positively to social connection and personal identity formation. Summary: Clinicians should engage in open, nonjudgmental dialogue with youth to better explore the context and patterns of their video gaming. The American Academy of Pediatrics{\textquoteright} 5 Cs framework and Family Media Plan offer evidence-based frameworks that can be referenced to facilitate thoughtful discussions about video game use.",

keywords = "Digital media, Social connection, Video games, Well-being, Youth",

author = "Nagata, \{Jason M.\} and Sahana Nayak and William Choi and Char Potes and Alexander Heuer and Zain Memon and Jonanne Talebloo and Li, \{Elizabeth J.\} and Kevin Bao and Helmer, \{Christiane K.\} and Moreno, \{Megan A.\} and Lavender, \{Jason M.\}",

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month = jan,

doi = "10.1007/s40124-026-00376-y",

language = "English",

volume = "14",

pages = "2",

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AU - Nagata, Jason M.

AU - Nayak, Sahana

AU - Choi, William

AU - Potes, Char

AU - Heuer, Alexander

AU - Memon, Zain

AU - Talebloo, Jonanne

AU - Li, Elizabeth J.

AU - Bao, Kevin

AU - Helmer, Christiane K.

AU - Moreno, Megan A.

AU - Lavender, Jason M.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2026.

PY - 2026/1

Y1 - 2026/1

N2 - Purpose of Review: Although studies of outcomes associated with video gaming in adolescence and young adulthood largely focus on potential harms, video game use may also promote certain health benefits. This review synthesizes the positive health outcomes associated with video gaming, while providing recommendations to clinicians for considering and evaluating both beneficial and adverse effects. Recent Findings: Recent evidence suggests that video gaming may strengthen the development of cognitive and executive functioning in adolescents and young adults. Moreover, video game use may also contribute positively to social connection and personal identity formation. Summary: Clinicians should engage in open, nonjudgmental dialogue with youth to better explore the context and patterns of their video gaming. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ 5 Cs framework and Family Media Plan offer evidence-based frameworks that can be referenced to facilitate thoughtful discussions about video game use.

AB - Purpose of Review: Although studies of outcomes associated with video gaming in adolescence and young adulthood largely focus on potential harms, video game use may also promote certain health benefits. This review synthesizes the positive health outcomes associated with video gaming, while providing recommendations to clinicians for considering and evaluating both beneficial and adverse effects. Recent Findings: Recent evidence suggests that video gaming may strengthen the development of cognitive and executive functioning in adolescents and young adults. Moreover, video game use may also contribute positively to social connection and personal identity formation. Summary: Clinicians should engage in open, nonjudgmental dialogue with youth to better explore the context and patterns of their video gaming. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ 5 Cs framework and Family Media Plan offer evidence-based frameworks that can be referenced to facilitate thoughtful discussions about video game use.

KW - Digital media

KW - Social connection

KW - Video games

KW - Well-being

KW - Youth

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ER -

Health Benefits of Video Games in Adolescents and Young Adults

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Keywords

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