So there you go, a report has actually proved something positive about gaming! A survey by casual game publisher PopCap has shown that over 50m adults play family friendly games with their children and grandchildren; and an impressive 92 per cent view games as a bonding source.

Nearly 7500 were asked their opinions on casual games, and 80 per cent said they actually played them with their younger family members. With estimates putting the casual games market as more than 200m people in size, you can see that videogames can actually bring families together rather than tear them apart.

"Casual games span generations and genders in ways that traditional 'hardcore' video games never have," noted Dr. Carl Arinoldo, a New York-based psychologist. "This universal appeal, and the 'G-rated' content of the games, makes them a great activity in which the whole family can participate, with each generation enjoying the games in different ways while also enjoying the interaction with other family members."

Even better, many of the adults surveyed attributed a wide spectrum of mental benefits to children playing casual game, with nearly half of them observing an increase in their child's level of interest and/or understanding in spelling, reading, vocabulary, and/or history as a result of casual game play. Also, and we found this very interesting, they actually saw a reduction in stress levels.

This is what people need to understand; games as a whole are not bad, but if you put your ten year old in front of Grand Theft Auto, then that might not be the best move. There are tones of games out there that are kiddie and family friendly, so maybe families should try to make gaming a more social thing in the home, and pick games suitable for that kind of play. They’re out there, just leave the adult games to the adults!

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