Statistics say that the number of video gamers in the world will reach about 3.09 billion this 2022 (Marketer) and that 52% are males (ESA). Studies also show that about 72% are 18 years old and above with 34 as the average age for a male video gamer.
It is astonishing that more people over 45 years old actually play video games. This speaks that no matter what age, people are still gravitated towards games, says Stanley Pierre-Louis, president and CEO of ESA.
So if you are a gamer and a Dad, you are probably a member of the first generation of video gamers that made up those numbers.
What and who are gamer dads?
They are males with children under the age of 18, who still play video games through PC, consoles, tablets or smartphones. They are about ⅕ of the gaming population and averages spending over 35 hours of game time per week. Gamer dads are also someone to look up to. They have a significant social influence that about 58% of other gamers consult them before purchasing a product or service.
Gamer dads are also very techie that they are always the first ones to be updated about the latest gaming news and that about 82% have bought a new gear related to video gaming in the last 6 months (Activision Blizzard Media).
Gamer dads play games with their kids too.
As you can see, some first generation video gamers are parents now. Yes, they are dads now but that doesn't mean they gave up on their game time. Some even battle with their kids.
According to ESA, 67% of parents play video games with their children at least once a week for these top reasons:
- "It's fun for all of us."
- "My child asks me to."
- "It's a good opportunity to socialize with my child."
- "I enjoy playing video games as much as my child."
- "It helps me monitor what they're playing."
Why are gamer dads the coolest?
Being a dad is already hard enough especially when you are a hardcore video gamer. But being a gamer dad has definitely taught you one important thing, to be the king of multitasking. Ain't that makes you cool? Here are some other reasons why gamer dads are the coolest (Atchuup):
They don't get annoyed when the kids ask if they can play that game they found online.
- because they are curious about or even excited to play with it too.
They impart all their gaming wisdom to their kids.
- thereby creating a generation of cool dads who make fatherhood ultra fun.
They won't get mad if their kids spend their pocket money on new games.
- been there, done that kid.
Their brains stay sharper for longer
- Kühn and her colleagues concluded that video games could potentially be used as a therapy for patients with mental disorders that cause brain regions to shrink or be altered. Such diseases include schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder and Alzheimer's (Kurzweil).
They won't ever forget your birthday.
- your dad loves you so he will buy you more games, and for himself too, of course.
They'll totally understand if you stay up late some nights to finish a level.
- go finish that level, kid!
Gamers stick together.
- if mom won't let you play one more game, just ask dad.
What gamer dads need to know according to experts.
Playing video games is advisable if you want to relieve stress from now and then. It is a necessary form of self-care. Some dads would even sacrifice a few hours of sleep not just to miss that crucial gaming moment.
According to Dr. Stockdale, a psychologist and project manager for Project M.E.D.I.A. at Brigham Young University, say that parents should be wary of going much over two hours of entertainment-based screen time per day.
When it comes to being a gamer and raising a family, Dr. Christopher Ferguson, a clinical psychologist and professor of psychology at Stetson University said that balance and communicating what's fair for all parties is important (The New York Times).
We would like to thank all Dads around the world, gamer or not, for being the true heroes and knights fighting for a better future for their children.
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