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Now here's a policy that will win over the children.

Cabinet Office Minister Tom Watson says youngsters should be encouraged to play more on computer consoles like Xboxes. He reckons even violent games can be educational and increase intelligence.

Mr Watson, who is in charge of encouraging new technology across Government, said: "Basically, I think playing games is a good thing.

"I'd rather my boy be playing on his Wii than passively watching telly.

"Most games are educational. They make you think, focus, challenge and change - 500 years ago a medium that did this would be called art."

Mr Watson revealed his three-year-old son learned to count using a Telly Tubbies game. And he said a friend's eight-year-old learned how to make bronze - by mixing copper and tin - after playing Runequest.

He added: "Even the fun stuff has serious real-world applications."

But the remarks clash with Government attempts to cut childhood obesity. Ministers want parents to stop children playing on consoles.

Former sports minister Richard Caborn said: "We all have a role to play in encouraging young people to get out from behind their computer games and playing sport." Figures this week showed a quarter of five-year-olds are overweight or obese. That rises to a third by the age of 11.

ARE COMPUTER GAMES GOOD FOR KIDS?

YES says KEVIN LYNCH Mirror Technology Expert

While conventional wisdom used to say that staring at a screen for hours was bad for your eyes, there's evidence to suggest gaming can improve your visual skills and actually "sharpen the mind".

A recent study by the US government's National Institute of Health, found regular players of shootem-ups like Half-Life and Medal of Honour were better at spotting details in busy, confusing scenes and could cope with more distractions than average.

And researchers found that doctors who spent at least three hours a week playing video games made 37 per cent fewer mistakes.

On top of this, the Nintendo Wii is a great way for kids to keep fit and active.

There is also now a positive sociable side to modern gaming with the likes of Xbox Live and Sony's PS3 Network allowing you to play against pals and make new friends. And the likes of Singstar and Rockband actively encourage you to gather some mates and have a singsong!

Screens creating obese children

NO says HEATHER WELFORD Childcare & Parenting Author

No One would deny that these games can be fun.

And some may even be educational.

But the risk is that children play them at the expense of interaction with real people - especially parents and friends.

It's preposterous to claim that children need these games to develop properly. Sitting at the table eating a meal will help to develop their co-ordination skills just as well and a three-year-old can learn to count by playing simple games with mum and dad.

There is plenty of research to show that children are spending too long in front of computer and TV screens and missing out on active playtime outside - the rise in childhood obesity is testament to that.

The research I have seen shows children are now starting school with shorter concentration spans, poor social skills and language delay. At least partly to blame is parents relying on computers to entertain youngsters.