A brand new study out of Australian University RMIT has found that gaming is likely to help boost academic performing in maths, science and reading among high school students.

Associate Professor Alberto Posso from RMIT has linked gaming to the performance in a number of key areas among Australian teens.

He analysed the academic results of more than 12,000 Australian 15-year-olds, and compared it to their online habit which was collected by PISA.

“Students who play online games almost every day score 15 points above the average in maths and 17 points above the average in science,”

It is believed that the problem solving aspect of gaming could help sharpen cognitive abilities as well as improved hand-eye coordination.

“When you play online games you’re solving puzzles to move to the next level and that involves using some of the general knowledge and skills in maths, reading and science that you’ve been taught during the day.”

According to the report, teenagers who use Facebook or social media every day scored 20 points worse in maths than those who never use Social Media.

You can read Prof Posso’s full findings on the International Journal of Communication.