contrast to ongoing criticism that children are spending too much time indoors -- either voluntarily watching television and playing computer games or at the request of concerned parents afraid to let them play in the street or in parks , where they could be the victim or a perpetrator of crime . This so-called `` bedroom culture '' is , it is often argued , creating a generation of monosyllabic , culturally illiterate group of youngsters who are ill-prepared for the impending roles and responsibilities of adulthood . Researchers have found that far from constricting young people 's imagination , Runescape and similar multiplayer virtual games enhance brain activity . They offer an opportunity to experiment with different identities such as gender , race or ability . Gamers can also benefit from opportunities that they may not have access to in the real world . `` Virtual environments , like Runescape , '' says Nic Crowe , `` form important new leisure spaces for the many young people who occupy them . In the real world , where streets or town centers have become inaccessible to many young people or are considered risky by them or their parents , it
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- It is news that will be greeted with despair and joy in equal measure in family homes across the globe -- Computer games might be good for children . According to scientists at Brunel University in West London , `` young people can experience huge benefits from participating in multi player online role playing games '' . Children playing online games have their imaginations stimulated , not stunted . On the one hand , parents will be pleased to learn that their offspring are n't wasting their time as they sit boggle-eyed in front of a computer screen , and may actually be learning important life skills needed in adulthood . But on the other , it 's just another excuse for their children to spend hour upon hour locked away in their bedroom neglecting school studies and family duties . Still , there 's always the off switch . Dr Simon Bradford and Nic Crowe of Brunel University 's School of Sport and Education have just completed a three-year study of 13-16 year olds playing Runescape -- a massively popular online with over nine million members worldwide . The findings are in