Michlo Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7619372.stm ------ Far from turning teenagers into anti-social loners, video games help them engage with friends and community, says a report. The Pew Internet study of US teenagers found that few play alone and most join up with friends when gaming. It found that many used educational games to learn about world issues and to begin to engage with politics. The report also found that gaming had become an almost universal pastime among young Americans. Community chance The survey of 1,102 teenagers aged 12-17 revealed that 99% of boys and 94% of girls across the socio-economic spectrum play some kind of computer or video game. The most popular title was Guitar Hero, followed by Halo 3, Madden NFL, Solitaire, and Dance Dance Revolution. Most teenagers played a variety of different titles, said Amanda Lenhart, senior research specialist at the Pew Internet & American Life Project, who wrote the report. "They range in terms of their content from things that are about solving problems to things that are about going out and shooting things, or driving things, or racing things, or playing a sport," Ms Lenhart said. But, she said, being a player did not mean being a loner. "Three quarters of teens actually play these games with other people, whether online or in person." Even playing games every day does not appear to impact teenagers' social lives. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gif http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/start_quote_rb.gif What we say to parents is pay attention to the games that your child is playing..., and look for games that offer your child opportunities to have more civically-minded experiences http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/end_quote_rb.gif Amanda Lenhart "People who game on a daily basis are just as likely to talk on the phone, to email, to spend time with a friend face to face outside of school as kids who play games less," she said. Mature rating It was also a mistake to think that video and computer games were divorced from real life, she added. The study found that 52% of the teenagers played games that involved thinking about moral and ethical issues, 43% played games in which they made decisions about how a community, city or nation should be run, and 40% played games where they learned about a social issue. This included specifically educational titles such as the "Food force" and "Darfur is dying", but also more mainstream games such as Civilization. Teenagers who were forced to confront problems in virtual communities were more likely to raise money for charity, volunteer, stay informed about political issues, persuade others to vote or march in a protest or demonstration. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45023000/jpg/_45023531_bc3de349-8a74-4872-abaa-5e56e3fce61f.jpg Many young people are playing games with a serious message Ms Lenhart said the report revealed that the amount of time spent playing computer games didn't dent the amount of community engagement the teenagers took part in, but that teenagers who played with other people in person did tend to be more engaged with their communities. It remains an open question whether community-orientated games were responsible for these behaviours or whether more socially-conscious teens were more likely to play these sorts of games in the first place. Those at Pew, Ms Lenhart said, "suspect that actually the interaction goes both ways." Although the study did not answer the question, she noted that previous research has suggested that similar exercises can directly influence social interaction and community engagement. The report also revealed that games rated "Mature" and "Adults Only" were also popular among teenagers, with one third of game-playing teenagers claiming to play games aimed at adults. "These games that are rated 'Mature' and 'Adults Only' generally have intense violence, blood and gore, they'll have mature humour and language, nudity or sexual situations or scenes," said Ms Lenhart. On the basis of their findings, Ms Lenhart recommended that parents monitor the games their kids were playing. "What we say to parents is pay attention to the games that your child is playing, see what they do in the games, and look for games that offer your child opportunities to have more civically-minded experiences," she said. -------- Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadowace Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 True that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethre Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 found that few play alone Hmmm, perhaps this community is a bit skewed against that statement. That said, I have played both Oblivion and Morrowind with friends (or rather we were in the same room, discussing the games as we each played them) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thanodai Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 I wouldn't doubt that a large portion of this community are engaged in some type of online play. There are so many games that cater to such a wide variety of tastes. Card games for the casual gamer to MMOs for the hardcore gamer. I myself have been from one end of the spectrum to the other. But I have always been involved in some type of multi-player experience. Even console gamers can now get in on the online multi-player action. Phantasy Star Online was the first MMO on a console, though it didn't last long, as the Dreamcast was doomed for failure. But ever since then, console manufacturers began to take online gaming seriously, it took a while, but look at what we've got. You can play with some one on a PS2 just as easily as on a PC, or a 360. Hell, you can even get online with a PSP. Online gaming isn't just for computer gamers anymore, it's becoming the norm. It's wide ranging social interaction spanning across multiple platforms. -T- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndorilTheGreat Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 I agree totally (with all statements above). While Morrowind and Oblivion are both single player RPG's, I like to play them with someone in the same room, rather than completely alone (unless of course I'm sick or none of my friends are available...). Some games I don't play online, because the people on some servers are real jerks. But yes, quite a few of the games I own involve making moral and ethical decisions (even if they're not obvious). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Wolfe Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 AHA! Take that, Jack Thompson! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadow1513 Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 good points but there really isn't a multiplayer function in morrowind or oblivion(or is there?)if there is PLEASE tell me.yes, i think that we as gamers are unnaturaly steryotyped as violent, antisocial,hakers,and most of the things anyone (that is not a gamer) says isn't true for most of us...the only reason im unsocialable is that have a uncommon parinoia.(i think that stupidity might be contagious :D ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaysus Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 i started playing in the tes world at a friends place too lol... and we kept going till lvl 20 or so... 4 guys and only one charcter still fun lol... sometimes it was kinda ridiculous tho... like i wanna be a mage, no i wanna be a fighter but i wanna be a mage... and so on... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Oh good.I's new,but I don't lt :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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