Rather than wasting their time, children who gab on Facebook or play online games are gaining valuable social skills and learning some technology basics, according to a study to be released today.

The report, sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation, contradicts the idea held by many educators, parents and policymakers that children should be blocked from online social networks and video games like Halo, which allow users in different locations to play together. Instead, children should be encouraged to use the technologies to gain a certain level of digital literacy, the study said.

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From technology.newscientist.com:

“Researchers at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, the Palo Alto Research Center, also in California, and the University of Delaware in Newark, quizzed 7000 players of the role-playing game Everquest II about their physical and mental health. Participants were offered a specially created virtual weapon as an incentive – the “Greatstaff of the Sun Serpent”. The researchers then combined the survey responses with statistics about players’ online activities and playing habits.

The results suggest that adult gamers have an average body mass index of 25.2, compared to the overall American average of 28. The average gamer also engages in vigorous exercise once or twice a week, which the researchers say is more than most Americans. The reasons for this are not obvious, although the team suggest it may be because more educated, wealthier people are attracted to computer games, and these people also tend to take better care of their health.
“Average gamers engage in vigorous exercise once or twice a week”

The downside, however, was that the gamers reported more cases of depression and substance abuse than their compatriots. “They may be drawn to use the game to help deal with emotional distress,” says team member Scott Caplan of the University of Delaware.”

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From informationweek.com:

“As IT professionals, we all know that sitting in front of the computer all day dealing with the stress of the modern world makes us flabby and weak. And we all know what we have to do to compensate for our sedentary workplace — diet and exercise.

A plethora of Internet sites, computer programs, devices, DVDs, and videogames purports to put you on the path to perfect fitness. In this article, we examine some of the tools that can make you ripped, cut, and fit — or at least sweaty and tired.”

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