73% play games on a desktop or a laptop computer.

86% of teens play on a console like the Xbox, PlayStation, or Wii.

When asked, half of all teens reported playing a video game “yesterday.” Those who play daily typically play for an hour or more.įully 97% of teens ages 12-17 play computer, web, portable, or console games.

Opportunities for gaming are everywhere, and teens are playing video games frequently. Video gaming is pervasive in the lives of American teens-young teens and older teens, girls and boys, and teens from across the socioeconomic spectrum. Though arguments have been made about the civic potential of video gaming, this is the first large-scale study to examine the relationship between specific gaming experiences and teens’ civic activities and commitments. The survey looks at which teens are playing games, the games and equipment they are using, the social context of their play, and the role of parents and parental monitoring. This survey provides the first nationally representative study of teen video game play and of teen video gaming and civic engagement.

There has also been some exploration of the relationship between games and civic outcomes, but as of yet there has been no large-scale quantitative research. To date, most video game research has focused on how games impact academic and social outcomes (particularly aggression). Video games provide a diverse set of experiences and related activities and are part of the lives of almost all teens in America.

Civics today textbook online 2008