7 January 2021 | Article de blogue

Popular video games among young people

Video games are popular among young people. Not only do they spend hours playing, many teens watch videos of their favourite players on platforms such as Twitch or YouTube. The growing popularity of streamers (live broadcasts) in the video game universe is indisputable.

Frequently criticized for their violent and sexist content as well as their addictiveness (time spent playing, hard to quit, etc.), video games are not all bad. They provide teenagers with a means to socialize with their friends, to connect with one’s community, to be entertained and develop such skills as cooperation, problem solving and coordination. As a parent, taking an interest in the games their teens enjoy as well as the time they spend online is well worthwhile to find the right dosage and appropriate content.

“Playing online isn’t a bad thing… It’s how they stay in touch with their friends. But gaming in moderation, playing non-violent games, is key.”

– Mother of a 13-year-old boy

Some games involve content of a sexual nature, violence as well as racial and gender stereotyping. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) video game rating system helps parents choose suitable games based on content and a player’s age. To learn more about this system, please refer to the Resources page.

Fortnite

  • Free online Battle Royale-type action game where 100 players go head to head so as to eliminate one another. The last player (or last team) standing wins the game.
  • Players gather weapons and building materials to “survive” and win the game.
  • The game’s economy rests on V-Bucks, the in-game virtual money earned by winning games, or purchased with real money or gift cards.
  • V-Bucks are used to purchase or gift emotes (exclusive moves, dance or otherwise, for a given character) and skins (change a character’s appearance).
  • The game is played alone or in teams of 2 to 4 players. In the latter game mode, team members can communicate through voice and text chat to work out their strategies.

Roblox

  • Free online gaming platform with a “building block” look that houses millions of user-created games.
  • These games cater to a wide variety of interests: combat, zombies, obstacle courses, restaurant simulators, escape rooms, etc.
  • Two modes are available: playing games created by other users or creating one’s own Roblox game (the latter is only available through a paid subscription).
  • The game’s economy rests on Robux, the in-game virtual money purchased with real money or by creating games.
  • Players can use Robux to buy objects in the game and change their character’s appearance.
  • Each game includes a chatting system.
  • Friend requests can be sent to other players. Users can then access a general private and group messaging system.

Minecraft

  • A paid online game with a pixelated style where players create objects and buildings using materials they gather.
  • In survival mode, players must fight enemies (“creepers”) and explore the game map to stay alive.
  • Creative mode allows players to build objects and structures using unlimited resources.
  • Multiplayer mode lets you interact with other players to build and fight together.
  • The game’s economy is based on “Minecoins,” a virtual currency earned by winning matches or purchased with real money.
  • “Minecoins” can be used to purchase items to customize the appearance of your character or structures, as well as worlds and objects created by other users.
  • Players can chat with each other in multiplayer mode.

Main risks associated with video games

1

Direct communications with other players, by voice and text chat, may result in inappropriate or offensive messages and insults of a sexual nature.

2

Players are often invited to communicate via Discord (audio, video and written platform where players can communicate) or Twitch (live-streaming platform). On these platforms, private conversations are encouraged and security mechanisms are less effective.

3

Scarcity of certain objects can lead to feelings of envy in younger players, which in turn may make them more likely to accept virtual gifts from strangers and add them as friends.

4

The considerable popularity certain players enjoy on Twitch and YouTube may lead many young players to want to be like them or to contact them.

What now?

This overview of the more popular video games among teens helps to better understand any associated risks. To read more about popular applications among young people, ways to address certain situations or tools to better guide your teen, check out our other articles.

 

Tips for parents

A great way to kick-start a discussion with your teen is to spend some time playing the video games they like with them.

 

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