You may have heard from the gamers in your life that a new season of Fortnite dropped recently. There are some new areas of the map and some new skins, among other changes for players to experience. Also, in Brawl Stars, some new brawlers named Finx and Lumi were added. Finx can warp time, while Lumi can pound the ground to temporarily ensnare his enemies. These exciting game updates mean it is a good time to review the research on gamer identity and well-being.
- 33 years old is the average age of a gamer
- 48% of gamers are women
What are some of the benefits and drawbacks of gaming?
- Excessive gaming can be a sign of sleep problems, anxiety, and depression.
- Gaming provides opportunities to expand social connections, practice resilience when a game doesn’t go well, and sharpen problem-solving skills.
- Digital games like Minecraft and tabletop games like Dungeons and Dragons have even been used in therapy to help players practice following structures and socializing during perceived conflicts.
Compare these facts about gaming with your own perceptions of gamers and their habits. Click here to find some ways that teens would like their parents to talk with them about gaming. It includes a great list of “DOs” and “DON’Ts” to reference.