I’ve played video games since I was younger, and I still play games as a productive adult. Although some people believe only children should play video games, the data says otherwise.
Playing video games is not childish or immature, with adults playing more games than children. The average age of a gamer changes every year, but usually lands between 31 and 37 years of age. Gaming is very much a mature, valid entertainment pastime for adults 18 and up.
Even though the facts don’t lie and adults dominate the gaming industry in terms of spending and the number of games played, certain myths about video games live on.
Therefore today, I’ll be mythbusting common opinions about video games that people have.
As a gaming veteran that has played video games for over 25 years, I can say with certainty that all of these myths need to be busted.
Playing video games as an adult is okay, and so is playing games on easy settings. If you’re interested in why you should play games on easy mode, read this handy guide I wrote by clicking here.
Why Playing Video Games Is Not Childish
No matter your age, playing video games does not make you childish. Video games are valid past times for any age group with over 3.2 billion people playing games globally per year with the average gamer being 31 to 37 years old. Billions of adults play games every single day and have fun doing so.
playing video games does not make you childish
Kids and teens play video games, but so do adults in their 20, 30, 40s, and even up to 90 and beyond.
Parents play with their children and college graduates play online with their buds. Video games are an acceptable, common pastime for adults of all ages in modern times.
Adults Who Play Video Games
- high school graduates
- college students
- college graduates
- new job-market employees
- parents
- grandparents
- doctors, nurses, teachers
- actors, singers, talk show hosts
- writers, bloggers, influencers, streamers
- wrestlers, basketball and football players, athletes
- sales people, accountants, tax agents, supervisors
- as well as nearly every known adult age group and profession
Several adult athletes and celebrities play games while still being successful, from Ronda Rousey to Jimmy Fallon plus many more.
Professional wrestlers Randy Orton and Xavier Woods (Austin Creed) play video games, with Randy specifically mentioning how he went from criticizing gamers to becoming a gamer himself.
For well-known personalities, gaming is a fun interactive lifestyle to enjoy and not something only meant for children.
Why? Because gaming is fun for everyone, adults included.
17 Celebrities Who Play Video Games
- Terry Crews
- Henry Cavill
- Brie Larson
- Randy Orton
- Jimmy Fallon
- Chrissy Teigen
- DJ Khaled
- Rosario Dawson
- Jack Black
- Mila Kunis
- Megan Fox
- Daniel Craig
- Olivia Munn
- Kat Dennings
- Snoop Dogg
- Bobby Lee
- Ronda Rousey
Playing Games As An Adult To Stay Social
I play online games with a group of coworkers twice a week and with my spouse in my spare time. My brother and I play video games to remain connected even though we live hundreds of miles apart.
And we are all functioning adults with jobs and responsibilities.
Playing games does not make us immature. Conversely, it allows us to keep our adult social connections healthy while enjoying a mutually fun activity.
Reasons Why Adults Play Games
Adults play games to
- have fun and relax
- provide mental stimulation
- relieve stress or anger
- build teamwork skills
- have social interactions
- engage in storytelling
- help process depression, grief, sadness
- bond with family and friends
- join a community of like-minded people
- earn income
- play eSports (electronic sports)
- improve problem-solving skills
- enhance hand-eye coordination
There are so many reasons why adults play games, and none of them make you childish.
Gaming Myths In Need Of Busting
Adults play games and it’s not childish. These are the facts, yet many will judge others for having fun and create myths about gaming that are not true.
Play video games for long enough, and you’ll hear some say video games aren’t hobbies for adults. That certain–if not all–video games are childish, and a waste of time as you get older.
These comments are hurtful, judgmental, and lack understanding. In fact, some may say these comments are “childish” myths in need of busting.
Let’s take a look at the most common ones right now.
MYTH: Playing Games Is A Child’s Hobby
Some believe that playing video games is a childish activity, something only those in their formative years do. Therefore, playing video games as one gets older is considered a child-like thing to-do.
This myth is most commonly linked to the severely outdated and flawed perspective that games are simply “toys” that people “play” with.
And staunch individuals with this belief often associate play and toys with child-like behavior. This couldn’t be more wrong.
FACTS: Gaming Is A Hobby For Everyone
In reality, playing video games is an acceptable entertainment activity that nearly everyone enjoys, with approximately 68% of the United States population playing along with billions around the globe.
playing video games is an acceptable entertainment activity that nearly everyone enjoys
The truth of the matter? A majority of the world plays video games.
This means the critical individuals that label the enjoyable interactive activity as childish (while downplaying its value) are actually in the minority.
Most kids, teens, and adults play video games in some fashion, which shows gaming’s importance to a vast population.
Video games are important to a diverse group of people as well, with White, Asian, Black, Hispanic, and other ethnicities playing games at scale.
Speaking of video game’s importance, people of all ages play and interact with video games in a manner that leads to a positive impact on their lives.
This is because play and fun are not exclusive things children do. Adults who believe that need to play and have more fun.
Millions of gamers (kids to adults) play video games every day for a variety of beneficial reasons.
According to the Entertainment Software Association group that monitors the video game industry
- 90% of players find joy through gaming
- 87% enjoy mental stimulation
- 87% receive stress relief
- 81% reap the benefits of skill and teamwork building
The benefits of playing games is vast and is available for everyone to enjoy, no matter their age or ethnicity.
If someone wants to call video games toys, then video games are the most beneficial and widely accepted toys in the world.
Playing Games With Everyone
Personally, I’ve played games for nearly every reason imaginable with people of all ages and backgrounds. From my 5-year-old niece to my 65-year-old mother.
And I’ve shared so many great moments with them all, such as playing Mario Kart with my family and friends.
I’ve also beat the Borderlands series with my coworkers, visited my spouse and brother’s islands in Animal Crossing, and kept my mind sharp by playing digital puzzles games such as picross and sudoku.
Gaming is for everyone, and everyone can enjoy something about gaming.
MYTHS: Playing Games Is A Waste Of Time
There are those who think playing video games is a waste of time. Often, these people have a pre-disposed affinity towards certain activities and value them higher than playing games.
They tend to believe adults or those past a certain age should do “more productive things” with their time.
Individuals of this sort will frequently say “there are better things to do than playing video games” or that “playing video game accomplishes nothing”.
A comparison to “more valid” types of hobbies that are “worthy” of time spent will usually come from their mouths next.
Uninformed opinions such as these showcase a lack of understanding of gaming’s validity.
FACT: Gaming Is A Valid Use Of Time
On average, the majority of Americans spend between 4.5 and 7.5 hours a week playing games. Gaming is very much a valid use of time when done responsibly, like any other form of entertainment. And it’s not a waste of time if you’re having fun.
Some people read, some people go outdoors, and some people play video games.
Gaming is very much a valid use of time
Specifically, people are using their time to enjoy video games more often. Over 82% of gamers play between 1 and 20 hours a week (according to Statista reports).
This accounts to millions of adults playing video games during their free time to entertain themselves.
Gaming in modern times is considered an acceptable use of one’s time by the majority because so many people play.
Playing a video game is equivalent to every other hobby or pastime activity including
- reading a book
- watching a movie
- binging television shows
- camping
- playing sports
- learning a craft
- piecing together puzzles
- crafting
- hiking
Each hobby has its own pros and cons, and no hobby is intrinsically better than playing video games.
Spending time playing video games is an interactive experience that stimulates our brains, encourages problem solving, and keeps our reflexes sharp.
Additionally, millions of people around the world partake in playing electronic sports (known as eSports) as opposed to traditional sports.
Action-oriented games such as Overwatch, League of Legends, and Counter-Strike that focus on teamwork and reflexes are quite popular to watch and play.
There are just so many benefits to playing games including social perks.
The Entertainment Software Association reports 78% of gamers are introduced to new friendships and relationships through gaming.
Spending time playing games with new and old friends, along with family members and strangers, is never a waste of time. Period.
Personally, I’ve made new friends I would have never met otherwise by playing Nintendo Switch games online. And I cherish the time we spent together.
If you have some time to spare and enjoy playing video games, then simply play and have fun.
Even Well Known People Play Games
Many successful streamers and celebrities play video games as a valid use of their time, too, because it’s fun.
Streamers such as Nick Eh 30, Tfue, Sypherpk, and Pokimane are all adults who use their time to play games (and make a living doing so).
And successful blockbuster movie stars such as Captain Marvel’s Brie Larson and Superman/The Witcher’s Henry Cavill are both avid gamers.
They make time for play sessions while also fulfilling their contractual obligations as celebrities.
Brie Larson enjoys playing Animal Crossing, Fortnite, Mario Kart, and Mario Party while Henry Cavill plays strategy and action games on the desktop computer he built himself.
Countless other streamers and celebrities along with billions of everyday people spend time playing games and consider it a good use of time.
Gaming Is Worth The Time
I’ve played games my entire life without it being a detriment or waste of time. In fact, video games have enhanced my life in the thousands of hours I spent playing them.
I’ve lost weight playing Dance Dance Revolution, Just Dance, and Fitness Boxing.
And I’ve kept my brain sharp by solving puzzles in Brain Age, Picross, and the Professor Layton series.
video games have enhanced my life
Playing action and shooter games such as Super Mario and Paladins strengthened my reflexes while numerous sessions of Super Monkey Ball has measurably increased my hand-eye coordination.
I also successfully managed to play video games while balancing my responsibilities.
On top of holding a part-time job, I graduated from a university with cum laude honors and then wrote over a dozen full length novels.
I built online brands, published videos on YouTube each week for 5 years, and maintained a healthy relationship with my spouse.
Now, writing and playing games is how I happily make a living as an adult.
I’ve played games my entire life without it being a detriment
Playing games has always been fun for me. It’s my favorite hobby that only served to enhance my life, not detract from it.
The same can be said for my spouse.
She received her masters degree, dealt with a severe life-threatening medical diagnosis and recovered from it, and maintained a full-time job while also racking up thousands of hours in Animal Crossing and The Legend of Zelda games.
There is no right or wrong way to spend your time.
It’s not a waste of time to have fun; therefore, it’s not a waste of time playing games solo or with others.
Play responsibly and have fun doing something you want to do.
MYTH: You Shouldn’t Play Video Games Past A Certain Age
Critics will often dictate that video games should stopped being played at a certain age. Otherwise, a person will be deemed childish for continuing to play.
The cut-off age is arbitrary, created by the critic’s own sense of what is right and wrong.
Some say playing games in your 40s, 30s, and even 20s is problematic. Others believe no one past the age of 11 or 12 should be playing games.
Thankfully, these are misinformed opinions that don’t take into account that people of all ages play games regularly.
FACT: People Of All Ages Play Games
People of all ages around the world play video games. Specifically, 1.48 billion Asians, 715 million Europeans, and 227 million Americans play video games, and a majority of these gamers are adults.
People of all ages around the world play video games
From a North American perspective, Statista reports that 80% of all people who play video games in the United States are 18 years or older. That’s mind boggling!
This means that only 20% of all gamers are under 18 years of age which conclusively disproves the notion that games are only for children.
Furthermore, nearly 100% of all well-known YouTube, Twitch, and celebrity gamers are adults.
The likes of YouTuber iJustine and streamer Ninja to actor Terry Crews and comedian Bobby Lee are all older than 18.
Simply put: children are a minority when it comes to playing games. Something cannot be deemed childish when so few children are playing in comparison.
More so, adults up to 65 years of age and older also play games. Take for example popular YouTuber Food4Dogs.
She is an older woman who is an avid gamer, playing a host of PlayStation and Nintendo games for fun and enjoyment.
And she loves to share that love and passion about her favorite games on her channel.
She is a shining example of a person who plays video games that happens to be of a certain age.
Because, gaming is not age dependent. And anyone can enjoy video games no matter their age.
Games Are Fun No Matter Your Age
People in my life of all ages play games. I’m an adult who has been playing games for decades thanks to my mother’s love of video games.
My mom started playing games since her 30s and still does so well into her 60s.
Rad Racer, Tetris, and Animal Crossing are her favorite series and she plays the mobile versions of Nintendo titles to this very day.
What’s more, my play group consists of gamers from their early 20’s to late 40’s. And all of us still have fun playing games no matter our ages.
What To Do If People Tell You Playing Games Is Childish
You never have to explain to others why you play video games, because gaming is a perfectly acceptable hobby no matter your age.
Respond kindly if you choose, ignore, or simply walk away if you can whenever someone judges you for your video game related hobbies and interests.
gaming is a perfectly acceptable hobby no matter your age
You might feel peer pressure from your classmates, peers, or coworkers whether you’re 14 or 41. They may even tease or judge you for playing video games.
That’s their opinion and their opinion is not fact. Nor does their opinion have any control over what you do.
Alternatively, your opinion is the only opinion that matters.
Ask yourself a few questions to learn how you feel about video games:
- how do you feel about video games?
- do you enjoy them?
- do they make you happy?
- are you having fun spending your time playing games?
- are you taking care of responsibilities before playing?
At the end of each day, it’s your life to live. Play games if they’re fun for you and you have time to do so.
But never feel ashamed.
Gaming is meant to be enjoyable, so surround yourself with those who support your hobbies and interests.
Ignore anyone else that wants to judge you for playing video games and focus on keeping yourself happy.
There is nothing childish about enjoying yourself, so block the naysayers and just have fun.
Other Article To Enjoy
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10 Things All New Nintendo Switch Owners Need To Do
Is It Okay To Play Games On Easy Mode?
Read More Great Articles
Now you know why playing games aren’t childish and why people of any age can play games.
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