New data published Wednesday by the Entertainment Software Association shows that a majority of parents are present at the time games are purchased or rented. Eighty-nine percent of the time, parents are present. The study is also giving rise to a new term — the “gamer parent:” Parents who play games themselves, often with their kids.
The survey, conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, also showed that a majority of the parents — 61 percent believe that parents believe games have a positive influence on their children’s lives. And 87 percent of the time, kids are getting their parents’ permission before purchasing or renting the game.
The numbers help bolster the ESA’s position that legislation is not the answer to restricting minors’ access to video games. The ESA — an industry trade group representing video and computer game publishers and hardware makers — has opposed legislative efforts to restrict the sale of Mature-rated video games to minors, and has actively fought against them in federal courts, overturning several state laws over the past several years.
Other results of the survey showed that the majority of parents — 79 percent — play games with their kids simply because they’re asked to. Parents also consider it a good opportunity not only to socialize with their kids, but also to monitor game content.
The typical gamer parent, according to the report, is 37 years old. And 47 percent of gamer parents are women. Gamer parents are experienced, as well — on average, they’ been playing for 13 years.
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