In a stunning new study commissioned by computer games developer Popcap Games, a whopping 92% of parents and grandparents who play computer games think the games are a good way to bond with kids.

Huh. How impartial.

And seriously, how many grandparents are that into Zuma*? (Bejeweled** I get, it's so hypnotic, and Bookworm***, better than Scrabble, but Zuma?)

And, well, "bond"? In front of a flickering screen? Or is that twin flickering screens, with everybody on their own laptops? I don't know, to me the concept of "bonding over computer games" is even less likely than "bonding in front of the TV". Unless of course, your idea of "bonding" is comparing egg-blasting techniques in Dynomite****.

But hey, I'm clearly in the minority here, as 70% of the parents said they see educational benefit for their children in playing computer games. Yep, according to the study, kids get benefits like learning, stress relief and hand-eye coordination from playing these games. And some guy who's a professor of gambling studies (!!) says, "Empirical research has consistently shown that, in the right context, computer and video games can have a positive educational, psychological and therapeutic benefit to a large range of different ages and sub-groups."

And what is that context, pray tell? Or are we speaking out of context, Professor Gambler?

Yes. Well. Do with the results of this study what you will, but don't speak to me about "bonding" with your kid over a computer.  

*Never played it before

**Or this one

***Nope, not me

****Never heard of it. Why do you keep asking these questions?