The relation between video game experience and children’s attentional networks

Abstract

Video games are popular in children’s lives. Previous studies suggest that video games are related to children’s attention. In order to further characterize this relation, especially in early childhood, we used the Child Attentional Network Test (Child-ANT), which uses reaction time to assess the three subsystems of attention, including alerting, orienting and executive control networks. Participants included 60 child video game players (VGPs) and non-video game players (NVGPs). The results showed that children’s experience with video games was related to their orienting network and their executive control network. The results have implications for parents and educators, who make decisions regarding children’s use of games and game-like learning technologies.