Video games help teenage social skills
Last updated 9/18/2008 11:58:42 AM
Video games help teenage social skills
A major American study into teenagers and video games suggests that far from being bad for them, the games can help improve their social interaction.
The survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project finds that virtually all American teens play computer, console, or mobile phone games and that the gaming experience is rich and varied, with a significant amount of social contact.
The primary findings in the survey of 1,102 youth aged between twelve and seventeen are that game playing is social, with most teens playing games with others at least some of the time.
Seventy six per cent of them play games with others at least some of the time and 65% of gaming teens play with others in the same room. Forty four per cent play games where they learn about a problem in society.
"The stereotype that gaming is a solitary, violent, anti-social activity just doesn’t hold up. The average teen plays all different kinds of games and generally plays them with friends and family both online and offline," said Amanda Lenhart, the report's author. "Gaming is a ubiquitous part of life for both boys and girls."
Many experience playing games that mirror aspects of civic and political life, such as thinking about moral and ethical issues and making decisions.
They are more likely than others are to go online to get information about current events, to try to persuade others how to vote in an election, to say they are committed to civic participation, and to raise money for charity.