Yes and No. Studies have shown that video games do have their benefits. For instance, kids with ADHD have been shown to improve the duration of their focus when they play video games. It's also been shown that adults who play video games have faster reflexes, and finer hand-eye coordination.

But if you're sitting in front of a TV or computer, you're not very physically active, and you're not getting much sun at all (you need sun to make vitamin D, which has been shown to reduce the risk of just about all cancers). I like the Wii because at least it involves movement, so if I was gonna get a console it would be the Wii.

I wouldn't be opposed to a console for my kids though, because they do have their benefits. It's when they are played for 8 hours solid every day that you have problems. But I think that's true for any sedentary activity.

Well, there's that V-Smile or something out that's a video game system for children, but it teaches how to read, write, math, ETC. it's like a Nick Jr. Show, only they're playing with it so they want to be with it for a few hours, which isn't bad as they're learning, right?

And if you have young kids, I'd suggest the Wii in a heartbeat. I'm older than young kids, and I love my Wii to death!

Well there's no harm if you can limit the usage of video games which often doesn't happen. Video games help to improve reflexs of your children but at the same time if used for prolonged time, it could be habituating.