Gamers in the UK spend an average of 6 hours and 19 minutes per week playing video games, with younger gamers aged 16-24 playing the most at an average of 10.6 hours a week, according to a survey by Ipsos Mori. The study also found that men played on average 8.5 hours per week compared to women’s average of 3.8 hours, while PC gamers played the most, with an average of 7 hours and 20 minutes per week compared to console gamers who played for an average of 6 hours and 27 minutes per week. The WHO recognises “gaming disorder” as a mental health condition that affects a small percentage of gamers.
Gamers Spend Over 6 Hours a Week Playing Video Games
Introduction
The popularity of video games has been on the rise since the 1970s. Today, the gaming industry generates billions of dollars in revenue every year, with millions of people worldwide owning gaming consoles, computers or smartphones. In this article, we will explore the latest statistics on gaming habits, particularly the amount of time that gamers spend playing video games every week.
Survey Results
According to a recent survey by Ipsos Mori, conducted on behalf of game industry trade body UKIE, gamers in the UK spend an average of 6 hours and 19 minutes per week playing video games. The survey, which was conducted with 2,007 respondents aged 16-64, found that the amount of time spent playing video games varied depending on age, gender and platform.
Age Differences
Younger gamers aged 16-24 spend the most time playing, with an average of 10.6 hours a week. This compares to 5.6 hours for gamers aged 25-34, and just 1.9 hours for those aged 55-64.
Gender Differences
The survey also found that men spend more time playing video games than women, with an average of 8.5 hours per week compared to women’s average of 3.8 hours.
Platform Differences
The study also found that PC gamers spend the most time playing, with an average of 7 hours and 20 minutes per week. This is followed by console gamers, who play for an average of 6 hours and 27 minutes per week. Mobile gamers spend the least amount of time playing, with an average of 4 hours and 8 minutes per week.
Impact on Health and Social Life
While playing video games can be a fun and engaging pastime, spending too much time playing can have negative impacts on health and social life. According to the World Health Organization, gaming disorder is a recognized mental health condition that affects a small percentage of gamers. Symptoms of gaming addiction can include loss of interest in other activities, social withdrawal, and physical effects such as fatigue, headaches and backaches.
Benefits of Gaming
On the other hand, many studies have shown that playing video games can have positive effects on cognitive functions such as attention, memory, decision-making and spatial reasoning. Gaming can also provide a sense of community and social connection, particularly through online multiplayer games.
Conclusion
Overall, the Ipsos Mori survey shows that gamers in the UK spend an average of 6 hours and 19 minutes per week playing video games, with differences in time spent depending on age, gender and platform. While there are risks associated with excessive gaming, playing video games in moderation can have positive effects on cognitive function and social wellbeing. As such, it is important to balance gaming with other activities to maintain a healthy lifestyle.