It turns out that young American men spend an average of 10 hours a week playing games, double the amount they spent in 2010, and it's not just for fun but also as a way to interact with friends.
Over the past 15 years, the amount of time American men aged 15 to 24 spend playing games has more than doubled, reaching an average of 10 hours per week. However, the New York Times points out that games are no longer just for fun, but are also becoming a way to socialize.
How Video Games Are Shaping a Generation of Boys, for Better and Worse - The New York Times
The New York Times has been running a special feature titled 'What's Going On With Boys?' since May 2025, exploring the issues young men face in school, mental health, and adulthood.
The New York Times has graphed the data from
Some teachers have pointed out that the increase in time spent playing games is one of the reasons why people can't concentrate at school, and economists have also said that it is linked to the decline in working hours among young men. When we first started the series, 'What's Going On Wit Boys?', many readers commented that 'playing games is the main cause of the problems facing boys and young men these days.'
A Pew Research Center survey also found that 85% of American teenagers reported playing video games, with 41% identifying as gamers who play at least once a day. At the same time, however, 72% of young gamers said they play games to spend time with others. 47% of gamers said they have made friends online. Speaking to The New York Times, 19-year-old Julian Minkoff said he's been playing Fortnite and Minecraft with friends during the pandemic, saying, 'It's been really, really helpful for me.'
Teens and Video Games Today | Pew Research Center
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/05/09/teens-and-video-games-today/
On the other hand, Zach Rausch of New York University points out that new technology is making games more immersive and addictive, which poses a risk. According to Rausch, the gaming industry's business model has changed dramatically since the 2010s, from a free-to-play, in-game purchase model, which has spurred an increase in the amount of time young men spend playing games.
Most researchers interviewed by The New York Times acknowledge that video games are important for today's kids' bonding and can help improve their cognitive and problem-solving skills, daily mood, and self-esteem, but they also recommend that parents have thorough discussions with their children about the risks of addiction and harassment.
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