New research suggests that teenage boys are dedicating more time to video games than they spend in the classroom. A survey of parents indicates that boys aged 15 to 17 are gaming for an average of nearly 34 hours per week, exceeding the typical 32.5 hours of school time in England.
Key Takeaways
- Teenage boys (15-17) average 34 hours of gaming weekly, surpassing school hours.
- Overall child gaming time has increased to 20.4 hours per week.
- Parents express significant concerns about screen time and addiction.
- There’s a strong call for more educational programs in schools regarding gaming and gambling harms.
- Gaming is increasingly seen as a potential career path, with many parents supportive of esports aspirations.
Parental Concerns and Perceived Benefits
The study, conducted by Ygam in collaboration with Mumsnet, polled over 1,000 parents of children aged 7 to 17. While nearly all parents acknowledged benefits from gaming, such as stress reduction and improved digital literacy, a significant majority voiced concerns. Seventy-nine percent of parents worried about excessive gaming time, and 67 percent feared their children might be addicted.
The average gaming time for children has seen a notable increase, rising from 16.8 hours per week last year to 20.4 hours this year. Fifty-five percent of parents reported their child games at least once daily, with 35 percent stating their child games multiple times a day.
Influences and Risks
Friends, schoolmates, and online influencers are identified as the primary drivers of gaming habits. Parents shared concerns about peer pressure, with some feeling compelled to implement stricter rules due to the impact of even an hour of daily gaming on their child’s behavior. Beyond screen time and addiction, top parental worries include a reduced interest in other activities, potential contact with strangers, and exposure to violent content.
In-Game Spending and Gambling Parallels
In-game spending is prevalent, with 37 percent of children spending money within games. Approximately half of parents have observed gambling-like mechanisms, such as mystery boxes (33 percent) and loot boxes (30 percent), in the games their children play. These microtransactions are often compared to gambling due to the element of chance involved in spending money for potential rewards.
While 90 percent of parents set spending limits, this practice was less common among parents of 15 to 17-year-olds compared to those with younger children.
Demand for Education and Future Aspirations
Parents are strongly advocating for increased educational initiatives in schools. More than 90 percent support lessons on the harms of gaming, and 83 percent back lessons on gambling harms, with a preference for these to be introduced in primary school. However, only 40 percent of parents were aware of their child receiving any such education.
Gaming is evolving beyond a hobby for many young people. Nearly 25 percent of boys aged nine to ten expressed an interest in pursuing a career in esports, and 70 percent of parents indicated they would support such a path for their child.
Sources
- Teenage boys spend more time gaming than at school, says research, The Times.
- Teenage boys spend more hours gaming than in school, suggests study, The Independent.
- The average teen boy now spends 34 hours a week gaming, The Independent.
