Communications of the ACM
How Video Games Are Helping Players and Parents During Lockdown
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Video games have been an important support for players' mental health as well as for parents educating their children during the lockdown, according to a report commissioned by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe and conducted by Ipsos MORI in the first and second quarters.
Key findings of the European gaming industry body's report, "Video Gaming in Lockdown," include:
- Playtime increased weekly by 1.5 hours compared to the same period in 2019 among players aged 6-to-64 years old, but decreased to pre-lockdown playtime levels as lockdown eased.
- 30% of players say video games have helped them feel happier, less anxious, and less isolated, and 29% of players claim that video games had a positive impact on their mental health during lockdown, especially those who play multi-player games.
- One in five parents spent more time playing video games with their children during lockdown.
- One in five parents said that video games helped with their child's education and schooling.
- Only 6% of players claim to have increased spend on video game play during lockdown.
"This report reflects the huge efforts industry made and the role our members played during lockdown to keep our players safe, connected, fit, entertained, and educated during the worst months of the crisis," says ISFE Managing Director Simon Little. "We are particularly delighted to see the positive impact that video games have had on mental health, the increased engagement of parents, and recognition of the support that members' educational games had on home schooling."
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