If you're like most parents, you're probably confused over the number of reports that argue against the use of video games as entertainment. Some of the information in these reports is quite convincing. After all, they're written by psychology experts, child educators, and social science professors from esteemed colleges or other similar institutions. And the arguments presented within these reports make sense. They're based on years of research and they may even resonate with experiences you've had with the children in your very own social circle.

On the other hand, it's important that some of this information be taken with a grain of salt. Rarely will you see a report that argues on the side of video games, and that outlines the positive attributes that time spent with a Nintendo system or Sony Playstation generates. With all the negativity surrounding these products, one could easily think that Nintendo and Sony were evil manifestations of the devil himself! But this couldn't be further from the truth.

The Nintendo system and Sony Playstation are mere platforms for video games that range from educational lessons to downright questionable material. We can't argue against the latter. There *are* some inappropriate video games in the public, but does that mean parents have ban the entire video gaming industry altogether?

Absolutely not - and to do so, in our humble opinion, would be detrimental to childhood development. That's right - detrimental. We don't believe this claim is a leap of faith, because just as there are reports that dissuade video gaming, there is a tremendous amount of evidence that suggests why video games are an important part of growing up. This evidence points to things like hand and eye coordination, the ability to focus, perseverance, and improving problem solving skills.

This evidence should give parents a bit of comfort in knowing that the gaming industry in itself is not the issue. The issue is instead, the parents' choice of video games that are allowed in the home.