Your teenage daughter and/or son aren't kidding around when they say you just don't get it. You really don't. You're not a teenager. You don't know everything like they do. And one of the things they know is that video games are the bomb. The kids still say that, right?
Anyway, according to a recent Pew Internet & American Life Project study (via MSNBC), 80 percent of teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 own a gaming console and that around 51 percent of those in the same age group own a portable gaming device. "While younger and older teens are equally likely to have a game console, boys are more likely than girls to have one," the study reads, pointing out that 89 percent of boys have a gaming console compared to 70 percent of girls.
The study itself focuses mostly on the internet and how the young are connecting (hint: they like laptops and -- wait, MySpace?), but it's a good read if you're looking to get in touch with the youngsters.
[Via Edge]
Reader Comments (67)
Posted: Feb 5th 2010 7:12AM The Blank Mage Returns said
"Sorry to jet, but I'm in a hurry!"
"You'll never defeat Androooossss!"
EXPLOSION
Reply
"You'll never defeat Androooossss!"
EXPLOSION
Posted: Feb 5th 2010 10:27AM Musicman247 said
I think there is a little bit of a flaw in the survey Joystiq is quoting.
" 80 percent of teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 own a gaming console and that around 51 percent of those in the same age group own a portable gaming device"
I think what it actually means is that the PARENTS of those children own gaming consoles and portable gaming devices. There's no way a 12 year old could buy a $300 - $400 console on their own. They can't even legally work yet!
Reply
" 80 percent of teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 own a gaming console and that around 51 percent of those in the same age group own a portable gaming device"
I think what it actually means is that the PARENTS of those children own gaming consoles and portable gaming devices. There's no way a 12 year old could buy a $300 - $400 console on their own. They can't even legally work yet!
Posted: Feb 5th 2010 11:42AM Accessgranted said
@Musicman: Actually, even if the parents purchase the product when they gift it to their kids it legally becomes the kids property.
Reply
Posted: Feb 5th 2010 12:02PM Metayoshi said
@ Musicman247:
Well, if you were given something as a birthday present, would you call it yours? You didn't buy it. In fact, it was a friend or family member who bought it. So it's theirs by your logic, correct?
Same logic goes for video game consoles. I didn't buy my NES, SNES, N64, Gamecube, GB, GBC, or GBA. All of those were bought by my parents or some relative back in the day. Is it my aunt's SNES, GCN, and DS Phat that I'm playing with? I'm using my girlfriend's NES? My Dad's N64?
No that doesn't make sense. I own my NES, SNES, and Gamecube. It doesn't matter who bought it. They were given to me, and I am the rightful owner of them.
Reply
Well, if you were given something as a birthday present, would you call it yours? You didn't buy it. In fact, it was a friend or family member who bought it. So it's theirs by your logic, correct?
Same logic goes for video game consoles. I didn't buy my NES, SNES, N64, Gamecube, GB, GBC, or GBA. All of those were bought by my parents or some relative back in the day. Is it my aunt's SNES, GCN, and DS Phat that I'm playing with? I'm using my girlfriend's NES? My Dad's N64?
No that doesn't make sense. I own my NES, SNES, and Gamecube. It doesn't matter who bought it. They were given to me, and I am the rightful owner of them.
Posted: Feb 5th 2010 12:32PM rowie4life said
MrAlex
"There is no upgrade from an N64."
I beg to differ.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/adaptiveblue_img/video_games/nintendo_64_expansion_pak
Reply
"There is no upgrade from an N64."
I beg to differ.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/adaptiveblue_img/video_games/nintendo_64_expansion_pak
Posted: Feb 5th 2010 2:08PM (Unverified) said
@MrAlex
Uh, excuse me.. I believe you're referring to the system known as the ULTRA 64.
Reply
Uh, excuse me.. I believe you're referring to the system known as the ULTRA 64.
Posted: Feb 6th 2010 12:14AM Esposch said
@ Musicman,
I have to disagree. I turned 16 2 months ago and I bought my own PC, DS Phat , Wii, PSP Slim, DS Lite, and a PS3 Slim, and a collection of about 45 console (almost all really good ones like TWEWY and Twilight Princess and NSMBWii) and 30 Steam games, all without a part time job. And in Australia too. All I had to do was strech the few dollars (like REALLY stretch them to be worth about 5x a "normal" person's dollar) I got for pocket money and Christmas.
I mean, I bought the DS with my own money when I was 11, the Wii when I was 13, the DS Lite and PSP Slim when I was 13, and the PS3 a week ago. The PC has been constantly changing between that time. All ya gotta know how to do is stretch every buck you get.
Reply
I have to disagree. I turned 16 2 months ago and I bought my own PC, DS Phat , Wii, PSP Slim, DS Lite, and a PS3 Slim, and a collection of about 45 console (almost all really good ones like TWEWY and Twilight Princess and NSMBWii) and 30 Steam games, all without a part time job. And in Australia too. All I had to do was strech the few dollars (like REALLY stretch them to be worth about 5x a "normal" person's dollar) I got for pocket money and Christmas.
I mean, I bought the DS with my own money when I was 11, the Wii when I was 13, the DS Lite and PSP Slim when I was 13, and the PS3 a week ago. The PC has been constantly changing between that time. All ya gotta know how to do is stretch every buck you get.
Posted: Feb 5th 2010 9:11AM Cap Morgan said
Maybe his name is Jeremy. I hear he's speaking in class today.
Reply
Posted: Feb 5th 2010 2:09PM (Unverified) said
You noticed as well, huh. He's probably a serial killer by now.
Reply
Posted: Feb 5th 2010 7:26AM blahblah55 said
Responsible adults that f*cking LOVE Cooking Mama. The Achievements in it are pretty amazing.
Reply
Posted: Feb 5th 2010 7:10AM The Blank Mage Returns said
Of those 12-17 year olds, 96% are playing Halo 3. And 90% have mics.
Reply
Posted: Feb 5th 2010 7:37AM Misfit Toy said
Agreed. My kid played Halo 3, but I actually used the parental settings. He can only hear and/or talk to his friends on his friends list (which for a while I controlled who was added using my password). Hes a good kid and wouldn't use the language some of these pho-adults use online. But best keep his ears from getting used to that language being the norm.
Parents settings. He doesn't hear you. You don't hear him. If only all parents knew or care about this stuff!
Reply
Parents settings. He doesn't hear you. You don't hear him. If only all parents knew or care about this stuff!
Posted: Feb 5th 2010 9:21AM Korova Pamplona said
70% of girls own consoles?! or do they live in households with consoles and never actually play them?
Reply
Posted: Feb 5th 2010 7:33AM Misfit Toy said
How could I possibly know if my kids are playing games? Oh wait...I gave them a console. Or are on the internet? Oh wait...they're sitting at the computer. Parents just need to...ya know...observe.
Reply
Posted: Feb 5th 2010 8:02AM xGeneral DEATHxDEETH82 said
Studies like these make me feel like I'm from the future.
"Soon...your children will be using a social networking tool called Facebook!"
*Crowd gasps in amazement*
Reply
"Soon...your children will be using a social networking tool called Facebook!"
*Crowd gasps in amazement*
Posted: Feb 5th 2010 8:02AM Cammie Dunaway Nintendo of Ameri said
Pardon? Only "80 percent of teenagers (...) own a gaming console and (...) 51 percent (...) own a portable gaming device"? As far as we, at Nintendo, are concerned, we do find that far too little. Thus we are aiming for 100% teenagers and adults alike (preferably 200%, if 100 % own Wii and 100% own DS). ...and what if we take into account multiple iterations of DS: DSLite, DSi, DSi XL? The percentage may reach up to 400%. Well... I suppose I shall report to my superiors that we are due to make a plethora of money.
Reply
Posted: Feb 5th 2010 8:08AM Cammie Dunaway Nintendo of Ameri said
*corrected: Wii are due to make a plethora of money.
Reply
Posted: Feb 5th 2010 9:43AM sonicspike41 said
Depending on what circles you hang around. I'd say more of them like either rap or punk/pop punk/scene/emo bands, or just about any of the bands on the Warped Tour.
Reply
Posted: Feb 5th 2010 8:19AM original fred said
Parents just don't understand
http://themixtapemonster.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/fresh_prince_cast.jpg
Reply
http://themixtapemonster.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/fresh_prince_cast.jpg
Posted: Feb 5th 2010 9:18AM inevercheckthis said
oh my...that last sentence is a nice way to stay in touch with jail :|
Reply
Posted: Feb 5th 2010 10:16AM Istari Spartan said
I have to laugh when a teen or younger says
"It was different back in your day!"
How old do they think I am? and what exactly
do they have now that I didn't have then?
Reply
"It was different back in your day!"
How old do they think I am? and what exactly
do they have now that I didn't have then?
Posted: Feb 5th 2010 10:17AM Pkunk said
"Pew Internet & American Life Project"?
PEW PEW PEW!!!
http://battlechicken.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/azerz-pew-pew-pew.jpg
Reply
PEW PEW PEW!!!
http://battlechicken.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/azerz-pew-pew-pew.jpg
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