For so many years, video games have been a target of criticisms; mainly for perceived detrimental effects on the behavior formation and mind development among children and adolescents. The apprehension heightened as young people were often preoccupied with video games. Eventually, digital games flourished and somehow became part of the American society’s culture. The generation of millennial adolescents who were the previous subjects of concern are now the high ranking players dominating the video gaming world.
Yet as studies about the effects of video games continued, particularly in relation to the spate of bullying and school shooting incidents, the results so far are still inconclusive. Digital games on the other hand have become more realistic and violent, giving rise to questions on whether adolescents of today have become aggressive as a result of playing such games.
One study surveyed around 1,000 students ranging in ages between 14 and 15 years. What was different in this research though, was that it took into account the opinions of the parents. It was deemed important because they are the firsts to see any signs of increased aggressive behaviors in their adolescent children. .
Although the researchers noted that there indications that video game playing among the adolescents under study, resulted to occasional outbursts of anger among teens playing in either single or multiplayer mode, the researchers perceived such displays of anger as normal reactions to competitive engagements. The study did not find changes that indicated antisocial behaviors that could lead to increased teen aggression, which were confirmed through interviews with their parents.
What Current Statistics are Saying about America’s Video Gaming Culture
Recent statistics show that the generation of American millennials who grew up spending most of their recreational time playing computer games are still into video gaming more than their present adolescent counterparts.
A report from Statista said that about 72% of video gamers today are 18 years old or older, to which gamers between ages 18 and 35 played the most. Even more interesting is that as of 2018, 43% of this group of video game enthusiasts are represented by gamers who are more than 35 years old. When broken down, the numbers showed that 20% were between age 36 and 49, while the remaining 23% were 50 years old or older.
No wonder adolescents are finding it hard to compete with the high ranking players in games like Rainbow Six Siege. Apparently, teenagers are competing with a generation of video gamers who have already acquired extensive skills and crystallized intelligence as far as video gaming is concerned.
In American households today, around 60% have both parents and children as gamers, of which more than 75% are parents who spend time playing with their kids. Parents who do so said they consider their playing engagement as an excellent opportunity to bond with their kids.
Naturally as parents, they have to show that they are the better players. In contrast, millennial parents who got involved in computer gaming only later during their adult life, have their reputations at risk if their children surpass them in player ranking.
Admittedly, I am one such parent who found out later on in my adult life that video gaming is not as bad as my parents had previously perceived. Still, I can commit to playing video games with my children only once a week and am seeing myself falling behind the player ranking aspect of Rainbow 6 Siege.
Fortunately, I found out that there are some enterprising R6 video gamers who can help me advance much quicker and further my boosting mission. Thanks to the Rainbow Six Siege rank boosting pros, I am able to maintain my children’s regard of me as a formidable Rainbow 6 Siege team mate.