For a child, games can be beneficial: they develop reaction time, memory, spatial thinking, problem-solving skills, and teamwork. But if a child spends 6-8 hours a day in front of a console, neglecting sleep, school, sports, and socializing, the benefits quickly turn into harm. Therefore, for children, the game's age rating, time management, and parental involvement are much more important. According to an ESA study, 82% of parents who play games play with their children.

For adults, the situation is slightly different. After work, a few hours a week playing a good game is a way to relax, just like a movie, a sport, or a get-together with friends. ESA research shows that adults themselves associate games with stress relief, entertainment, mental stimulation, and social interaction.

And the most interesting thing is that it's not children who play the most. In the US, 67% of people play video games regularly in 2026, and the average age of a gamer is 37. Among adults, the Millennial generation has a particularly high proportion of gamers - 71% play weekly; among Generation X, it's 56%; and even among people aged 62 - 80, around 50% play.

This creates a paradox: parents often worry that their children "play too much," even though a significant portion of parents themselves play. Therefore, perhaps the more correct question is not "Are video games harmful?" but "Do we know how to use them properly?" As with phones, alcohol, television, or even sports - moderation is key.