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Are There Differences in Video Gaming and Use of Social Media among Boys and Girls?—A Mixed Methods Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Marja Leonhardt

    (Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Concurrent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders, Innlandet Hospital Trust, P.O. Box 104, 2381 Brumunddal, Norway)

  • Stian Overå

    (Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Concurrent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders, Innlandet Hospital Trust, P.O. Box 104, 2381 Brumunddal, Norway)

Abstract

Gaming is widespread among adolescents and has typically been viewed as an activity for boys. There are however a growing number of female gamers and we need to learn more about how gender affects gaming. The aim of this study is to both quantify gaming among Norwegian adolescents and explore how gender differences are perceived. A mixed method approach was used to capture gaming experiences among boys and girls. Survey data ( N = 5607) was analyzed descriptively, and five focus groups were conducted, applying thematic analysis. Statistics showed that boys from the age of 14 use video games up to 5 times more than girls, while girls are much more on social media. From the focus groups, we found that boys did not view social media as socially significant as gaming and that there is a greater social acceptance of gaming among boys than among girls. Gender differences in video gaming are not necessarily a problem per se, as they may reflect gender-specific motivations and interests. However, the study also finds that girls feel less encouraged than boys to play video games due to different gender-related experiences of video gaming. Therefore, gendered barriers in video gaming must be explored in future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Marja Leonhardt & Stian Overå, 2021. "Are There Differences in Video Gaming and Use of Social Media among Boys and Girls?—A Mixed Methods Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:6085-:d:569194
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Lovász, Anna & Bat-Erdene, Boldmaa & Cukrowska-Torzewska, Ewa & Rigó, Mariann & Szabó-Morvai, Ágnes, 2023. "Competition, subjective feedback, and gender gaps in performance," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    2. Valeria Rega & Francesca Gioia & Valentina Boursier, 2023. "Problematic Media Use among Children up to the Age of 10: A Systematic Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-29, May.
    3. Liu, Caiyan & Wang, Zhikeng & Yang, Yajiao & Mao, Peipei & Tai, Robert H. & Cai, Zhihui & Fan, Xitao, 2024. "Do males have more favorable attitudes towards digital game use than Females: A Meta-Analytic review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    4. Adrián Mateo-Orcajada & Raquel Vaquero-Cristóbal & Lucía Abenza-Cano, 2023. "Gender and academic year as moderators of the efficacy of mobile app interventions to promote physical activity in adolescents: a randomized controlled trial," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-15, December.

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