3 hrs ago
Musk's Gaming Claim Sparks Kolkata Debate Over Children's Screens
Elon Musk said playing video games may help people stay mentally sharp.
He was referring to a 2025 study about gamers and thinking skills.
Some Kolkata experts say games can help children practise memory, problem-solving and teamwork.
Games can also be fun and help children connect with friends.
But playing for too long can cause problems with sleep, schoolwork, exercise and friendships.
Parents and doctors say children need limits and supervision.
They suggest keeping screens out of bedrooms at night and choosing games suitable for a child’s age.
The main idea is that gaming can be one part of childhood, but it should not become the whole of it.
Elon Musk cited a 2025 study linking frequent gaming with stronger memory, reasoning, processing speed and overall cognitive performance.
Kolkata psychologists said age-appropriate gaming in moderation can support attention, problem-solving, teamwork, communication and persistence.
Experts warned that excessive or unsupervised gaming may disrupt sleep, studies, physical activity, social interaction and family life.
Parents in Kolkata disagreed, with some supporting supervised limits and others describing video games as addictive and harmful.
Professionals advised time limits, bedtime curfews, shared-device locations and enjoyable alternatives such as chess, music, art and dance.
- Who
- Elon Musk, Kolkata children and parents, psychologists, psychiatrists and other child-development professionals.
- What
- A debate over whether video games benefit children or become harmful when played excessively.
- Where
- Kolkata, India.
- When
- The debate followed Musk’s reference to a 2025 study; no specific date for the interviews is given.
- Why
- The discussion was prompted by claims that gaming can improve cognitive performance and concerns that excessive gaming can disrupt children’s routines and well-being.
Moderation and supervision
Strict restriction or avoidance
Overall value of gaming
Moderation and supervision
Psychologists and some parents said games can provide entertainment, social connection and cognitive or problem-solving benefits when chosen appropriately and played in moderation.
Strict restriction or avoidance
Some parents argued that games quickly become addictive and can harm concentration, studies, fitness and social life.
Parental response
Moderation and supervision
Experts recommended clear limits, supervision, age-appropriate content, bedtime curfews and devices kept in shared spaces rather than an outright ban.
Strict restriction or avoidance
Stricter views favor substantially limiting or avoiding video games because of concerns about addiction and negative effects on children’s routines.
Managing excessive play
Moderation and supervision
Professionals said parents should identify warning signs and provide engaging alternatives, including chess, music, art and dance, while maintaining connection with children.
Strict restriction or avoidance
Parents concerned about gaming may prioritize removing or tightly controlling access when play begins affecting sleep, schoolwork or other activities.
Key facts
- Study cited
- A 2025 study reportedly found that frequent gamers performed better than non-gamers in short-term memory, reasoning, processing speed and overall cognitive performance.
- Potential benefits
- Experts said age-appropriate gaming in moderation may support attention switching, visuospatial skills, working memory, problem-solving, teamwork and communication.
- Potential risks
- Excessive or unsupervised gaming was linked by experts to disrupted sleep, shorter attention spans, falling grades, weaker social skills and possible increased aggression.
- Children interviewed
- Abhroneel Sarkar, 15, described gaming as an escape and fantasy experience; Debtullya Das, 14, cited thrill, competition and unpredictability.
- Parent perspectives
- Some parents favored supervised moderation, while Namrata Mitra said she saw no benefit and considered games addictive.
- World Health Organization
- The World Health Organization recognizes gaming disorder in its International Classification of Diseases.
- Suggested safeguards
- Experts recommended age-appropriate games, time limits, no gaming during meals or near bedtime, shared family spaces and alternatives such as chess, music, art and dance.
Quotes
Abhroneel Sarkar
A 15-year-old Kolkata student describing why he plays video games
“The World Health Organization recognises gaming disorder in its International Classification of Diseases, so the risk is real, but it affects a small group whose play has become compulsive.”
telegraphindia.com
“Video games are neither villain nor cure-all. Played in moderation, with age-appropriate content and parental involvement, they can build skills and friendships.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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