According to a recent Pew survey, video games serve as a platform for U.S. teens to build friendships, but also as a space where a majority of them experience bullying and name-calling.
The survey, which involved over 1,400 teenagers aged 13-17 and took place last fall, delved into various aspects of teenagers' engagement with video games. Unsurprisingly, more than 85% of teens in the U.S. play video games.
Most teens cited playing video games for fun or entertainment purposes, with approximately three-quarters mentioning that they play to socialize with others. Interestingly, they do not perceive the games as detrimental to themselves or their lifestyle, despite 40% admitting that gaming negatively impacts their sleep.
Furthermore, 58% of the surveyed teens expressed contentment with the amount of time they spend playing video games.
There were also stark differences in how different genders said they respond to and engage with video games.
Teen boys play video games far more often than girls — and almost two-thirds play them daily — with the activity making up a large portion of their social lives. More than half of the teen boys said video games helped them make friends, compared to 35% of girls surveyed.
Black and Latino teens said they made friends at a higher rate than White teens, and the numbers jumped even higher for those who considered themselves gamers.
