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Published on July 27, 2007

About one in every four young people plays computer games every day, a poll reveals.

Abac Poll Research Centre found 26.3 per cent of those aged 10 to 15 play games every day or nearly every day.

Another 21.1 per cent play between three and four days a week.  Almost one-quarter of those aged 16 to 20 and one-fifth of those aged 21 to 24 said they played daily.

In general, almost a quarter of young people (24 per cent) play on a daily basis or nearly every day, while 22.3 per cent play between three days and four days a week and 23.2 per cent play between one and two days a week. Another 30.5 per cent play once in a while.

The survey found boys and girls aged 10 to 15 played an average of two hours and 44 minutes a day, while youths aged 16 to 20 played about three hours and 13 minutes. Those aged 21 to 24 play three hours and 21 minutes.

So, in general, young people play computer games, online or offline, approximately three hours and one minute a day.

The poll found 95.7 per cent of those aged 10 to 15, 92.3 per cent of those aged 16 to 20 and 90.3 per cent of those aged 21 to 24 had played computer games in the previous 30 days.

In general, 53.1 per cent preferred fight games, followed by adventure and fantasy with 27.9 per cent, sports at 23.4 per cent, puzzles at 18.8 per cent and skill-training at 14.5 per cent.

Entertainment was the main motivation for 97.8 per cent of respondents, reducing stress from study or work was cited by 91.7 per cent, while 83.4 per cent sought to develop computer skills. 74 per cent like to make new gaming friends and 74 per cent like to meet people online. The accessibility of Internet cafes was ranked at 58.3 per cent and peer pressure at 30.8 per cent.

Youths spend an average of Bt537 on games each month - or about 14.3 per cent of their monthly allowance or income.

On average, 35.1 per cent of youths believe computer games are addictive while 37.1 per cent think otherwise. The rest were unsure. More than half play online with others and 10.8 per cent of them admitted to gambling on games.

About 32 per cent believe game addiction is a personal issue, 25.7 per cent think it is a social problem, 15.5 per cent say it is a family issue, while 26 per cent do not think it is a problem.

Respondents admitted to negative aspects of playing games. Wasted money was cited by 89.4 per cent, eyesight problems was admitted to by 82.9 per cent and 64.7 per cent said it was a waste of time.

Some 50.6 per cent admitted to it affecting study or work. Forty-eight per cent cited rest and health problems.

Centre director Noppadon Kannika concluded that 90 per cent of polled youths played games in the 30-day period before the poll and more than half loved playing fighting and shooting games. Compared with results two years ago, the number enjoying violent games had increased. The survey was conducted from July 8 to July 25 and involved 1,441 people aged between 10 and 24 in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces.