London, 22 July 2024: A new Mumsnet survey has revealed that 4 in 5 parents are concerned about their children's video gaming habits, as schools break up for summer and children’s video game usage typically surges.

Parents estimate that their children spend an average of 16.9 hours a week pla ying video games: more than half the amount of time they spend in school each week. Boys aged 11 to 17 are gaming the most with an average of almost a day a week (23.4 hours) spent playing video games.

Commissioned by the award-winning gaming charity, Ygam, the survey of over 1,000 UK parents highlights the central role that video games now play in daily life for many families. Over half (55%) of parents said that their child plays video games at least once a day, while a third (32%) have a child who plays multiple times a day.

The most prevalent concern surrounding children’s video game play is excessive screen time, with 78% of parents voicing this issue. Parents of boys were more likely to be concerned about the risk of addiction to video gaming, and parents of girls more likely to be concerned about stranger danger and exposure to sexual imagery or content.

Over a third (35%) of parents said that their child spends money on in-game purchases with 52% saying they have seen gambling-style mechanisms, such as loot boxes, in the games their child plays.

While 9 in 10 parents said that they monitor the amount of time their child spends playing video games, close monitoring was less common among those with older children.

Three quarters of parents say that they always check the age ratings of the games that their children play, but this doesn't mean that they always pay attention to them. 4 in 5 parents said that there’s at least one circumstance in which they would allow their child to play a game with an age rating beyond their current age.

According to 2023 research from Uswitch, 91% of UK children aged 3 to 15 playing video games on various digital devices. The video gaming market in the United Kingdom is the largest in Europe, contributing to 40% of sales in the UK entertainment industry according to the ERA Yearbook 2024.

Now, parents are calling for more preventative education to be implemented in schools to safeguard young gamers. Despite only 35% reporting that their children have received education on gaming, a resounding 99% of parents want this education to be provided in primary schools.

Dr Jane Rigbye, Chief Executive Officer of Ygam, said: “Video gaming is a popular pastime and offers benefits to children's lives, including cognitive development and social interactions. However, it's crucial for them to strike a healthy balance to prevent potential harms. Recognising a generation gap in understanding the gaming world, there is a growing demand for Ygam's resources. We are now working with hundreds of schools and supporting thousands of families to ensure children can safely enjoy playing video games in a protected and supportive environment.”

Justine Roberts, Mumsnet Founder and CEO said: "We know that Mumsnet users are increasingly concerned about the time their children spend online, but it's a particularly tricky parenting issue as it's not something that most have experienced in their own childhoods. It's no surprise therefore that 99% of parents would welcome more preventative education in primary schools, helping kids to strike a healthy balance and enjoy gaming safely".

A parent who took part in the survey, said: "My son was 8 or 9 when I got him one an Xbox but nearly all his friends were gaming regularly by then, which is why I think education on it needs to start early. He got very into Fortnite and spent all his pocket and birthday money on it. I had to restrict his play as I thought it was very addictive. Now he’s older, he plays FIFA and has a very balanced approach to it. However, some of his friends stay up all night gaming which I don’t think is healthy!"

Ygam provides free specialist workshops and resources for anyone who has care or influence over children. To find out more, please visit www.ygam.org or email training@ygam.org.

You can read the full report here: The-Gaming-Generation-Parents-Perspectives-2024.pdf (ygam.org)

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Ygam is an award-winning charity with a mission to prevent children and young people from experiencing gaming and gambling harms through awareness raising, education and research.

Through a portfolio of evidence-based programmes, Ygam develops and delivers training and resources for a range of groups who have influence over children and young people, including teachers, parents, youth workers and health professionals.

• Ygam’s vision is for every child and young person to be resilient to and safeguarded against gaming and gambling harms.

• The charity was established in 2014 because of the lived experience of its founders.

• Ygam has over 40 employees working in all regions of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The team is made up of professionals who have previously worked as teachers, youth workers, academics, and psychologists as well as individuals who have lived experience of gambling harms.

• Mumsnet is a trusted platform where parents connect, share experiences, and seek advice. With 8 million users accessing the platform monthly and 25,000 posts per day.

• If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s gambling, the National Gambling Support Network provides free help and support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have care or influence over a child or young person and want more information about gambling harms and how to prevent them, you can register for a free online workshop through www.ygam.org.

For further information, please contact Daniel Bliss, Director of External Affairs at Ygam.

Email: danielbliss@ygam.org

Tel: 07825236188

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