Computer games have been around for a couple of decades now (yes, you’re getting old) and gaming has become a massive industry.

What are kids’ gaming habits like in the UK today? And how do boys’ and girls’ gaming preferences and attitudes differ?

These questions were posited by a recent gaming project by Nickelodeon UK. This research was heavily featured in a July article on the future of gaming in The Guardian. Here are key findings from this study:

TV dominates UK kids’ screen time … but gaming is a huge (and growing) part of their lives.

• Television viewing on the main TV set occupied 59% of their screen time
• Nearly a quarter (22%) of their total screen time went to gaming

Gaming among kids is nearly universal in the UK, according to parents.

• 99% of kids play games on handhelds, consoles, or mobile devices weekly, according to parents
• Over half (56%) of kids play games daily—and it only grows with age (45% of K6-8, 57% of K9-10, 70% of K11-12)
• Gaming moves hand-in-hand with personal device ownership, which also increases with age (46% of K3-4 own a device, 68% of K5-7, 85% off K8-11, 94% of K12-15)

Parents love gaming, too—especially as a family.

• 3 out of 4 parents say they love to play games as a family
• Nearly 7 in 10 see games as a great way to bond
• As more Millennials become parents, new parents are very tech-proficient and pass that down to their children

Gaming isn’t just for boys—girls love it, too!

• 70% of girls say they love to play games
• 1 in 4 consider themselves a gaming addict
• Boys play more frequently from a younger age–but at age 9-10 both genders are on an even playing field, with 54% of boys and 60% of girls gaming daily
• Gaming peaks for girls at age 9-10—after that, their focus shifts toward their social lives (while boys’ passion for gaming continues)

Boys and girls play games differently.

• Consoles are the #1 gaming device among boys (50% say it’s their favorite), followed by tablets
• Smartphones do not really register for boys—they prefer bigger screens and more immersive experiences
• Tablets are girls’ preferred device, driven by younger girls
• Apps have made gaming more accessible to girls and offer more “girl-driven” games than consoles
• At the peak gaming age for girls (9-10), consoles are important to hard-core gamers (25%), though the tablet still reigns (43%); as girls move into secondary school they focus more on smartphones

Boys’ gaming preferences shift with age. They start with exploring and racing games, then move into sports and shooting games.

• While all boys are competitive, the youngest ones thrive on being the fastest, biggest, best
• Competition becomes more advanced as boys grow — sports games become more popular and a way to bond with friends
• Shooting games are more common among older boys (11-12)
• Exploring/Building (primarily Minecraft) games remain relatively consistent across age groups

Girls love puzzle games the most.

• Puzzle games are more suited to mobile devices (their preferred gaming device)
• Singing and dancing games are popular, but skew younger
• They also love Minecraft, character world games, and simulation games like The Sims
• In general, girls stay with kids’ brands and immersive world longer than boys

Boys bond with each other through gaming, while girls prefer to play alone.

• Boys enjoy playing with friends in the same room (something that increases with age); playing online kids in at 9 and by 11-12 a third of boys play online with friends (vs. 14% of girls)
• Girls are more private about gaming, with 50% preferring to play alone (which increases with age)

When kids talk about gaming, conversations turn toward competition and new games.

• Among boys and girls, levels completed and high scores are among the most common topics
• New games are also a hot topic
• Boys are more competitive than girls–as boys get older, they talk more about high scores and methods for increasing them (tips and cheats, YouTube videos, walk-throughs, etc.)
• The playground is the main place where kids talk about and discover new games
• YouTube is also a key source of gaming information for kids (especially boys) over 9

Summary of UK boys’ and girls’ gaming habits and preferences:

Boys

• Core focus on game consoles because they are immersive
• It’s all about completing the game and being the best
• Tablets skew young or are more for casual gaming; they could be used to complement console games or promote conversation
• YouTube is important for knowledge, discovery, and passing on skills—and should be embraced!

Girls

• Gaming peaks at age 9-10, then migrates to smartphones in secondary school—social or puzzle games appeal the most
• Don’t stereotype—racing and platform games are popular
• Be inclusive
• Mobile has opened up the market to girls – embrace the opportunity with this audience!