Teenage boys spend more hours gaming than in school, suggests study
The average teen boy now spends 34 hours a week gaming.
- Research by Mumsnet indicates that teenage boys in the UK, aged 15-17, spend an average of 34 hours a week playing video games, surpassing the 32.5 hours typically spent in school.
- The overall time children dedicate to gaming has risen to 20.4 hours a week from 16.8 hours last year, with a majority of parents expressing concerns about screen time and potential addiction.
- Parents are advocating for increased preventative education in schools, with 91 per cent supporting lessons on gaming harms and 83 per cent on gambling dangers, ideally introduced at primary school level.
- Over half of parents, 52 per cent, have identified gambling-like features such as mystery and loot boxes within their children's games, despite most parents setting spending limits.
- Despite concerns, 96 per cent of parents recognise the positive aspects of gaming, including stress reduction, digital literacy, and problem-solving, with many supporting children's aspirations for professional e-sports careers.