Online role-playing is good for you

Having spent three years studying 13-16-year-olds who play a MMRPG, boffins from Brunel University decided the excercise was good for them.

Better than hanging around the bus-stop smoking weed, anyhow.

According to Nic Crowe of Brunel's School of Sport and Education, in the real world, "streets or town centres have become inaccessible to many young people or are considered unsafe by them or their parents, it is not surprising virtual public space has become increasingly attractive as a leisure setting."

Virtual environments form important new leisure spaces for the many young people who occupy them," he said.

"It is a space in which young people can establish their presence, identity and meaning in ways that might not be accessible or permissible in their everyday lives."

Brown's colleague, Dr Bradford added: "At a time when emerging technologies such as the internet, and computer games continue to be subject to suspicion and concern, it is important we recognise the benefits of what is an increasingly important activity for our young people." µ

L'INQ
The Scotsman