Russians believe that computer games are harmful to health.
MOSCOW, September 10, 2019. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey describing who mainly play computer games, and how Russians assess the impacts that video games may have on humans.
Who plays?
In half of families (41%) the majority of gamers are children and grandchildren; it is reported by persons aged 45-59 (50%) and those aged 60 (53%) as well as those who use the Internet less than once a week (46%) or never use it (50%). In turn, respondents aged 25-34 say no one in their families play computer games (61%). One-third of respondents have a brother or a sister who plays video games (34%).
Almost every tenth Russians says his/her spouse has recently played computer games (8%). No huge gender gap is seen: 8% of men report that their wives play computer games; 9% of women say their husbands play games.
Gamer in a family: good or bad?
A quarter of Russians (26%) positively perceive the fact that someone in their families play computer games; they are basically respondents aged 25-34 (43%), 18-24 (30%) and 35-44-year-old persons (30%). One-fifth of Russians are indifferent towards family’s penchant for videogames (17%). Those who are most indifferent are young persons aged 18-24 (51%).
At the same time, more than half of Russians perceive negatively the fact that someone in the family has a penchant for video games (54%). This opinion is mainly shared by persons aged 60 and over (68%).
Computer games: good or harm?
Most of Russians are confident that computer games are harmful to those who play those games (58%). This stance is mainly supported by women (62%) and respondents aged 35-44 (63%), 45-59 (63%). Every fifth respondent points to positive consequences (19%); one-third of them are young Russians aged 18-24 (28%).
What impacts?
As to the drawbacks caused by videogames, most of Russians point to health problems such as addiction (26%), vision problems (23%), negative impact on mental health (13%), and decline in cognitive abilities (10%). Many respondents also consider videogames to be a waste of time (16%) and a reason for aggressive behavior (10%).
Positive impacts of videogames are as follows: logical thinking (10%), increase in reaction time (6%) and increase in attention span (4%). Almost every tenth considers that games are a method to relax, to reduce stress levels and distract from problems (8%). Eight percent of respondents admit that computer games enhance general human development and increase cognitive abilities.
VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on August 15, 2019. The survey involved 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over. The survey was telephone-based and carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory.