Dospívající chlapci tráví více hodin hraním her než ve škole

London, 15 September 2025: Nová zpráva Mumsnetu a Ygamu odhalila, že dospívající chlapci ve Velké Británii ve věku 15 až 17 let stráví hraním videoher v průměru téměř 34 hodin týdně, což je více než ve školních lavicích.

The latest data reveals nearly 8 in 10 parents are concerned about their child’s screen time when it comes to gaming and two thirds of parents are concerned about the risk of addiction to video games. While boys consistently game more than girls, the average time children spend gaming has increased to 20.4 hours per week, up from 16.8 hours in 2024.

The majority (55%) of parents said that their child plays video games at least once a day, while 35% of parents sampled have a child who plays video games multiple times a day. This demonstrates the central role gaming now plays in the lives of children.

Commissioned by Ygam, the UK’s leading charity on gaming harms among young people, the research draws on responses from over 1,000 parents of children aged 7 to 17, spanning a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds. Now in its second year, the report provides a growing evidence base on how gaming habits and parental attitudes are evolving.

Nearly all parents (96%) surveyed recognised that video gaming brings benefits to their child, particularly in lowering stress levels and encouraging relaxation. Parents also highlighted other positives, including the development of transferable skills such as technology and digital literacy, problem solving, and critical thinking.

It’s also clear that many young people see gaming as more than just a hobby, with aspirations for future careers in gaming and esports. Notably, almost 1 in 4 boys aged 9 or 10 expressed an interest in pursuing a career in esports, and more than two-thirds of parents said they would support their child in following that path.

52% of parents had seen gambling-like mechanisms in the games their child plays, with mystery boxes (33%) and loot boxes (30%) being the most commonly identified. These in-games microtransactions are often compared to gambling because they involve spending money for a chance outcome.

Although 90% of parents set spending limits for their child when playing video games, fewer parents of 15 to 17-year-olds imposed spending limits compared to other ages.

Parents are calling for more preventative education in schools, with 91% supporting lessons on gaming harms and 83% backing lessons on gambling harms. Most parents felt this education should begin in primary school, yet only 40% said they were aware of their child having received any such education.

Helen Martin, Interim Chief Executive of Ygam, said: “This year’s findings not only underline the central role gaming plays in young people’s daily lives, but also highlight the growing challenges parents face around this area of online safety. Gaming offers a wide range of benefits, but this digital world can feel overwhelming for some parents. It’s important that families are supported to keep gaming enjoyable by setting boundaries, establishing healthy gaming habits, and using the available controls to ensure the content children are exposed to is appropriate. Education has an essential role to play – not just for young gamers, but also for the adults who care for them – to help safeguard children and keep pace with our rapidly evolving digital world.”

Justine Roberts, Mumsnet Founder, said: “Mumsnet users are increasingly worried about the amount of time their children spend on screens, and with limited first-hand experience of gaming, many parents find it challenging to understand the trade-offs between risk and reward. This research helps us to understand parents’ perspectives and equip them with the knowledge and support they need to keep their children’s gaming positive, healthy and in balance.”