WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2003
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN - 11
4.
VIDEO GAMES
Video gamers defend intelligence, health
Photo illustration by Zach Straus/Kansan
A recent study conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project reported that the stereotype of college video gamers as anti-social nerds was false. According to the survey, video gamers are equally as active in social and school settings as other members of university communities.
By Maggie Newcomer
mnewcomer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
The notion that masterful video game players are anti-social hermits and slackers is untrue, according to a new study.
A nationwide survey of 1,162 college students by the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that video gamers are no different from the rest of the university population. Gamers and non-gamers spend a comparable amount of time studying and doing other activities,the survey found.
Ron Knox, Kansas City, Mo., junior, said he had been playing video games most of his life and was an active guy who got good grades and had plenty of friends, contrary to the gamer-geek stereotype.
Knox said his favorite games on his Playstation 2 were sports-related.
"I'm a very active guy," Knox said. "I play sports games because I play the actual sports."
For Knox, gaming is a social activity he
"Video games are not inherently bad."
Chris Crandall Associate professor of psychology
shares with friends and roommates.
"Almost every guy I know plays video games," Knox said.
Anne Wempe, Topeka junior, said although the hobby was more commonly associated with men, just as many women played video games.
Wempe and Knox both said video games did not affect their classes or jobs.
"It's about time management," Wempe said. "Anybody can get carried away with any hobby, whether it be sports or TV or reading."
Chris Crandall, associate professor of psychology, agreed that playing video games in moderation was harmless.
"Video games are not inherently bad," Crandall said. "The more time you spend playing them, the less time you spend reading the newspaper or exercising."
Wempe said she played her Super Nintendo while hanging out with friends, or if she was bored.
Knox said the time he spent playing video games fluctuated every week depending on school and work. He estimated he spent an average of six hours a week gaming, but he said he would forgo playing games to study.
The survey found that roughly two-thirds of American college students played video games, including students who played cell phone games.
"I love playing Snake on my phone," Wempe said.
Snake and a variety of other games are available on cell phones, which 85 percent of college students use, according to the Federal Communications Commission.
Wempe said it was convenient to play cell phone games whenever she had a few idle minutes because she always carried her phone.
- Edited by Richard Gintowt
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