1/26/2006
Parents Play Video Games Too!
Thursday, 26 January 2006
A new study sponsored by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) reveals that about one in three parents of small children plays video games.The research found that thirty-five percent of American parents, who have children between the ages of 2 and 17 in their households, say they play computer and video games. Among these “gamer parents”, 80% report that they play video games with their children, and two-thirds (66%) feel that playing games has brought their families closer together.The study also found that a typical gamer parent (defined as parents who play computer and video games but do not solely play desktop card or children’s games) is 37 years old, almost half (47%) are women and have been playing games for an average of 13 years. In addition to highlighting the fact that video games are increasingly becoming accepted family entertainment, the sponsors of the survey are also using the research as evidence that the government should get its nose out of regulating video games sales in an attempt to protect kids from exposure to violent and/or sexual video game content.The study found that 85% of parents with small children believed that parents not government, retailers, or game publishers, should take the most responsibility in monitoring childrens’ exposure to games that may have content that is inappropriate for minors.
A new study sponsored by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) reveals that about one in three parents of small children plays video games.The research found that thirty-five percent of American parents, who have children between the ages of 2 and 17 in their households, say they play computer and video games. Among these “gamer parents”, 80% report that they play video games with their children, and two-thirds (66%) feel that playing games has brought their families closer together.The study also found that a typical gamer parent (defined as parents who play computer and video games but do not solely play desktop card or children’s games) is 37 years old, almost half (47%) are women and have been playing games for an average of 13 years. In addition to highlighting the fact that video games are increasingly becoming accepted family entertainment, the sponsors of the survey are also using the research as evidence that the government should get its nose out of regulating video games sales in an attempt to protect kids from exposure to violent and/or sexual video game content.The study found that 85% of parents with small children believed that parents not government, retailers, or game publishers, should take the most responsibility in monitoring childrens’ exposure to games that may have content that is inappropriate for minors.
