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It's been said that violent video games leave teenagers 'morally immature' and have even been linked to deviance and violent crimes.

But now experts believe that poor behaviour is linked to the amount of time children spend on a games console, rather than the content of games.

Researchers found that children who play video games for more than three hours a day are more likely to be hyperactive, get involved in fights and not be interested in school. 

Experts believe that poor behaviour is linked to the amount of time children spend on a games console, rather than the content of games. A stock image is pictured

The study, by the University of Oxford, examined the effects of different types of games and time spent playing, on children's social and academic behaviour.

They found that the time spent playing games could be linked with problem behaviour and this was the significant factor rather than the types of games played.

They could find no link between playing violent games and real-life aggression or a child's academic performance.

Researchers found that children who play video games for more than three hours a day are more likely to not be interested in school (stock image)

They also found that low levels of play - defined as being less than an hour a day – might actually benefit behaviour, according to the study, published in the journal, Psychology of Popular Media Culture.

Lead author Dr Andy Przybylski, from the university's Oxford Internet Institute, said: 'We can see links between some types of games and children's behaviour, as well as time spent playing.

'However, we cannot say that game play causes good or bad behaviour. We also know that the risks attached to game-playing are small.

'A range of other factors in a child's life will influence their behaviour more as this research suggests that playing electronic games may be a statistically significant but minor factor in how children progress academically or in their emotional wellbeing.'

Parents might assume that strategy and puzzle games may give their child an edge in the classroom, but the experts found that the sociability and grades of children who played these 'wholesome' games were no higher than those of their non-playing peers.

The study found that no game features typically encountered by children could be linked to negative behaviour, but there were some behavioural benefits. 

The study could find no link between playing violent games and real-life aggression or a child's academic performance. Violent games such as Call of Duty (pictured) have previously been linked to deviance

For example, children who played video games with a cooperative and competitive element had significantly fewer emotional problems or problems with peers.

Children who chose to play solitary games were found to do well academically and displayed fewer emotional problems. They were also unlikely to be involved in fights.

The researchers relied on teachers' assessments of behaviour of individual pupils at a school in the southeast of England.

Teachers reported whether the 200 pupils in the study group were helpful, or whether they were rowdy and likely to fight – as well as commenting on their academic performance.

The pupils involved in the study were numbered so their personal identities were not revealed to the researchers. 

Parents may assume that strategy and puzzle games (pictured) may give their child an edge in the classroom, but the experts found that the sociability and grades of children who played these 'wholesome' games were no higher than those of their non-playing peers

The assessments were matched with the responses to a questionnaire that asked each of the 12 and 13-year-old pupils in the study how long they played games each day and the type of games they preferred.

The choice given was to play solo, offline competitive team games, online cooperative and competitive games, combat and violence, puzzles and strategy, and games to do with sport and racing.

The results of the study seem to bolster recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, that parents should keep an eye on how much time their children are spending playing video games.

Co-author Allison Mishkin said: 'These results highlight that playing video games may just be another style of play that children engage with in the digital age, with the benefits felt from the act of playing rather than the medium itself being the significant factor.'

HEAD TEACHERS TO REPORT PARENTS TO POLICE IF THEY LET THEIR CHILDREN PLAY VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES 

Parents are in danger of being reported to police by their children's head teachers if they allow them to play video games for over 18s.

A letter sent by a group of schools in Cheshire raised concerns about the 'levels of violence and sexual content' young people are being exposed to by playing games such as Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto, which are renowned for their violent characters and have an 18 classification.

It warns that if teachers are made aware their pupils have been playing these video games they will contact police and social services.

The letter, sent by Nantwich Education Partnership, said allowing children to play these type of games on Xboxes and Playstations is deemed 'neglectful'.

Parents are in danger of being reported to police by their children's head teachers if they allow them to play video games for over 18s. This stock image shows a child playing Grand Theft Auto 

It comes amid fears children could be left more vulnerable to grooming and abuse by being exposed to early sexualised behaviour as well as extreme brutality, often seen in video games in the upper age classifications.

The letter says: 'Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, Dogs of War and other similar games, are all inappropriate for children and they should not have access to them.

'Nor should they have Facebook accounts or interact on sites or media or messaging sites like WhatsApp that are not designed for their age.'

Nantwich Education Partnership covers 16 primary and secondary schools in Cheshire.

The letter also warns: 'If your child is allowed to have inappropriate access to any game or associated product that is designated 18+ we are advised to contact the Police and Children's Social Care as it is neglectful.'

Video games with an 18 classification are known for their violence.

Call of Duty allows players to take on the role of a blood thirsty soldier in a number of violent scenarios - arming themselves with an arsenal of weapons including rifles, pistols and grenades.

The game has been mired in controversy, with Norwegian mass killer Anders Breivik claiming he had trained himself to kill his 77 victims through playing the game.

Grand Theft Auto is well known for its violence which includes carjacking, gambling, killing and simulated sex with prostitutes. Last year Grand Theft Auto V was removed from the shelves of Australian stores Target and Kmart amid fears that the game glamorises violence against women.