Teens, Video Games, and Civics: Teens' Gaming Experiences Are Diverse and Include Significant Social Interaction and Civic Engagement

Video games provide a diverse set of experiences and related activities and are part of the lives of almost all teens in America. To date, most video game research has focused on how games impact academic and social outcomes (particularly aggression). There has also been some exploration of the rela...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPew Internet & American Life Project
Main Authors Lenhart, Amanda, Kahne, Joseph, Middaugh, Ellen, Macgill, Alexandra Rankin, Evans, Chris, Vitak, Jessica
Format Report
LanguageEnglish
Published Pew Internet & American Life Project 16.09.2008
Subjects
Adolescents
Citizen Participation
Citizenship
Citizenship Responsibility
Civics
Computer Mediated Communication
Computers
Gender Differences
Handheld Devices
Interaction
Internet
Interpersonal Relationship
Measures (Individuals)
Parent Role
Social Behavior
Social Environment
Statistical Analysis
Telephone Surveys
Use Studies
Video Games
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Summary:Video games provide a diverse set of experiences and related activities and are part of the lives of almost all teens in America. To date, most video game research has focused on how games impact academic and social outcomes (particularly aggression). 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. This survey provides the first nationally representative study of teen video game play and of teen video gaming and civic engagement. 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. 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. Appended are: (1) Video Game and Console History Chart; and (2) Regression Analysis. (Contains 8 tables and 63 footnotes.)