Researchers who gathered in Boston for the American Psychological Association convention detailed a series of studies suggesting video games can be powerful learning tools - from increasing younger students' problem-solving potential to improving the suturing skills of laparoscopic surgeons.

One study even looked at whether playing "World of Warcraft," the world's biggest multiplayer online game, can improve scientific thinking.

The conclusion? Certain types of video games can have benefits beyond the virtual thrills of blowing up demons.

full article below:

http://technology.sympatico.msn.ca/Studies+find+that+video+games+can+aid+students+surgeons/News/ContentPosting?isfa=1&newsitemid=101483040&feedname=CP-TECHNOLOGY&show=False&number=0&showbyline=True&subtitle=&detect=&abc=abc&date=True

i personally do find that videogames do make people smarter in a sense but not all videogames. most of the smart people i know (including myself) do play video games quite often.

my friend started playing video games last march [he played some but only at friends house and a couple pc games] and he isnt as smart as everyone else, but its by a small amount

One could refute these findings by spending more than 5 minutes on most videogame forums ;)

I like the reverse of that theory:

Smarter children prefer to play video games.

agreed

All gamers are children.

YES!! We have proof now xDD.

Well... it hasn't helped to a lot of fanboys here =p

I disagree with the notion that video games make kids smarter. It is too general statement to make and video games can have negative impacts on kids where they become lazy and fat.

i agree to it makes kids smarter...i learned!!