A September 16, 2008 report by Pew Internet & American Life Project reports that 97% of American teenagers (ages 12 to 17) play computer, web, portable, or console games … 31% play ever every day.

26% of teenage gamers played 2 hours or more per day (when asked how many hours they played yesterday). 34% of boys and 17% of girls played 2 hours or more per day.

On any given day, 50% of teen gamers report playing video games.

62% of parents say that video games have no effect on their children one way or the other.
19% of parents say that video games have a positive influence on their children.
13% of parents say that video games have a negative influence on their children.

Is this gaming experience good or bad for America’s youth? This study admittedly doesn’t take into account the effects of gaming on physical health, exercise, and other concerns, but gives some interesting insights.

Some of the findings of the research study indicate:

* Race, ethnicity and family income do not make a difference in the length of time teens spend gaming.

* The quantity of game play is not strongly related to teens’ interest or engagement in civic and political activity.

* But the characteristics of game play and the contexts in which teens play games are strongly related to teens’ interest and engagement in civic and political activities.

* Teens who take part in social interaction related to the game, such as commenting on websites or contributing to discussion boards, are more engaged civically and politically.

* The most active, frequent gamers are just as communicative and socially engaged as less-active gamers.

* Among teens who play games, 63% report seeing or hearing “people being mean and overly aggressive while playing,”. Of those who have had these experiences, 73% state they have seen or heard other players ask the aggressor to stop.”

* Teens who play games also witness a large amount of “pro-social” behaviors. More than three-fourths of teens who took the survey report witnessing “people being generous or helpful while playing.”
The five most popular games among American teens are Guitar Hero, Halo 3, Madden NFL, Solitaire and Dance Dance Revolution.

The category of games listed in order of popularity are:
1) Racing
2) Puzzle
3) Sports
4) Action
5) Adventure
6) Rhythm
7) Strategy
8) Simulation
9) Fighting
10) First-Person Shooters
11) Role-Playing
12) Survival-Horror
13) MMOGs (Massive Multiplayer Online Games)
14) Virtual Worlds