Video game playing may be healthy for boys

NEW HAVEN, Conn. A survey of more than 4,000 high schoolers found boys who regularly played video games were much less likely to smoke cigarettes or marijuana and had higher grade point averages.

However, it found that girls who played video games at least once a day were more likely to get into fights or carry a weapon. The girls also reported they were depressed but never told anyone.

Both boys and girls who had problematic gaming habits reported regular cigarette and drug use, depression and involvement in serious fights.

Although researchers said gaming didn't pose any major physical health problems, psychologists believe constant video game playing may be a by-product of a deeper psychological problem.