Chris Kohler
Culture

Study: Most Teen Gamers Play M-Rated Titles

A new study conducted in part by the Harvard Medical School finds that, of 12-14 year-olds who report frequent video game play, the majority of them play some games with Mature (ages 17+) ratings. Of 1126 children who listed frequently played game titles, almost half (48.8%) played at least one violent (mature-rated) game regularly (67.9% […]

Esrb_m_2A new study conducted in part by the Harvard Medical School finds that, of 12-14 year-olds who report frequent video game play, the majority of them play some games with Mature (ages 17+) ratings.

Of 1126 children who listed frequently played game titles, almost half (48.8%) played at least one violent (mature-rated) game regularly (67.9% of boys and 29.2% of girls). [...] Playing M-rated games is positively correlated (p < .001) with being male, frequent game play, playing with strangers over the Internet, having a game system and computer in one’s bedroom, and using games to manage anger.

While I'm sure this study will be cited in the weeks and months to come as an indictment of the ESRB, parents, or both, I feel like I should point out that letting your kids play M-rated games is not per se bad parenting. The Mature rating is indicative of where the game buyer no longer requires parental guidance -- not an indication that anyone younger should not be allowed near it.
Factors Correlated With Violent Video Game Use [Science Direct, via Ars Technica]