Gamer-rage in children: how and why it happens | Study

Focus & Method

Researchers wanted to learn more from children about how they experience game rage (rage caused by video games). They collected data from interviews and essays from 31 children about how and why they experience this.(1)

Findings

What caused game rage:

  1. Repeatedly failing (making mistakes, “dying” in the game, losing to others)
  2. Incompetent teammates or cheating opponents
  3. Technical problems (poor internet connection or other issues with the games)
  4. Interruptions caused by everyday activities (eating, homework, etc).(1)
 When experiencing game rage, they expressed that verbally (crying, cursing), physically (throwing or destroying their devices) or they would quit the game.(1)
 
Factors that made game rage more likely:
  • The type of game played
  • The gaming environment (other players)
  • Daily life troubles (1)

Why it matters

Many computer games include violence. Some studies have found a connection between violent games and aggression. However it seems that there is no consensus on whether video games cause aggression yet.(1)

A survey by Time2Play of over 1,000 adult gamers has found that over half of gamers experience game rage daily or weekly. Some have also broken something (keyboard, controller, monitor) or lashed out at a loved one out of anger while gaming.(2)

If video games do cause increased aggression, knowing this is important especially for people who experience it. If regularly experience game rage, you may want to make some changes. You can try to spend less time playing, play different games or find some healthier coping mechanisms. 

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References:

  1. ‘Gamer rage—Children’s perspective on issues impacting losing one’s temper while playing digital games’, Juho Kahila et al. (2022) | Link
  2. Angry Gamers: Which players rage the most, Time2Play | Link

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