A new study by Oxford University researchers reveals that children and teenagers who play video games for less than an hour a day are well-adjusted.

Young video gamers who indulge in moderate gaming activity everyday were found to be better adjusted than other non-gamers or those who played for more than three hours.

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The study, published in the journal "Pediatrics," is the first research conducted that looked at both the positive and negative effects of video game playing in children.

The subject of the study included about 5,000 children ages 10 to 15 drawn from a representative number of homes in the United Kingdom..

Half of the participants were male and half were female. Each was asked about the average time they spend playing video games and if they feel satisfied with their lives and get along with their peers.

The results revealed that three out of four children were actively playing video games every day. The children who spend the majority of their free time playing are not well-adjusted.

Researchers presume the reason why those who play excessively are not so well adjusted is because they miss out on the more physical activities and have less personal interaction.

Meanwhile, when children who have never played video games were compared to those who played moderately, or between one to three hours, the study revealed that those who play in moderation are more socially adept and were more satisfied with their lives.

Dr. Andrew Przybylski, who authored the study, said the study reinforced the results of laboratory experiments regarding the negative effects of video gaming.

"Some of the positive effects identified in past gaming research were mirrored in these data but the effects were quite small, suggesting that any benefits may be limited to a narrow range of action games," Przybylski said.

In addition, the doctor suggested that additional studies be conducted about specific gaming factors that make video gaming harmful or beneficial for young people. 

Tagsvideo game, players, Science, Research, London