Survey: One in four kids have their own game console

Fri Jun 12, 2009 3:24PM EDT

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Back when I was a young'un, I was lucky to scrounge an hour or so a day on my dad's Apple II (that is, when I wasn't hiking to school through six feet of snow, etc.). But according to a new study, it turns out that a quarter of today's kids not only play video games, they also have their own gaming consoles, among other cool gadgets.

Indeed, the recent NPD Group survey also found that 37 percent of kids aged 4 to 14 who use a portable gaming console (such as the Nintendo DS or the Sony PSP) actually own them—or rather, their parents and/or generous family member/friend gave them one. (And in nine out of ten cases, it was brand new.) The figure for personal media players: 30 percent.

I have to say, I was surprised by those figures—and I can't help but feel a twinge of envy. Back when I was the same age as the target group in NPD survey, it was the late '70s/early '80s (you do the math), and my idea of a portable media player was a big, four-pound Radio Shack cassette deck with five "D" batteries and a mono ear bud.

And 3-D gaming, even of the PlayStation 2 variety? Please. We pretty much had to do with "Space Invaders" and "Galaga." (You can't tell that I'm turning 40 next week, can you?)

Anyway, on with the survey, which found (among other things) that a third of parents plan on buying their kids some type of consumer electronics device in the next year—probably an "educational toy" for the little ones, while the older kids were more likely to get a cell phone or a digital camera.

Speaking of cell phones, the survey found that kids haven't just embraced them, they've also "migrated away" from using them just for talking—in fact, a full 46 percent of kids are well versed in the art of text messaging.

That's not to say that mere chatting on a cell phone isn't still popular with kids; I was impressed the other day to see a neighborhood grade-schooler—maybe 10ish—casually walking and talking on her clamshell. Probably not that uncommon a sight, but still, it gets me every time.

So, question for the parents: Do your kids have their own gaming consoles, laptops, cell phones, and the like? 

Related:
Kids' Use of Consumer Electronics Devices Such as Cell Phones, Personal Computers and Video Game Platforms Continue to Rise [NPD Group]


Comments on Survey: One in four kids have their own game console

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  • 6 Posted by wolverinemarky on Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    wow kids today definitely have it better then when i was a kid I had all incarnations of the nintendo at that age but didnt have so many other electronic devices like they do

  • 7 Posted by alexisomarl on Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:09PM EDT Report Abuse

    Its the future...what else do you expect, I meana c'mon that is why they call it the "Information Age."

  • 8 Posted by tuba_geek on Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    i save my money for things i have a laptop, an xbox 360 elite, a nintendo wii, a huge room and a queen sized bed, and a huge couch. and i am getting a 52-55 inch hdtv. score.

  • 9 Posted by tuba_geek on Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    i have an xbox 360 elite, wii, ps3, ipod touch 2g 32gb, samsung eternity cell phone, queen size bed, laptop, huge couch, huge bedroom. and i am getting a 52-55 inch hdtv. score.

  • 10 Posted by ckharleman on Sat Jun 13, 2009 1:55AM EDT Report Abuse

    I have a cellphone and a laptop, and I'm pretty far under eighteen. I also have an iPod and a DS, the latter of which I don't use often, I share it a lot with my brothers. My 10 year old brother has his own computer, and my brothers share an old Spiderman and Venom game.

  • 11 Posted by blacksham1972 on Sat Jun 13, 2009 2:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    Its crazy!! Go outside!! And cell phones... My kid isn't getting one they start driving!! What does a 12 yr old need with a cell phone anyways.

  • 12 Posted by simplistic_wonders on Sat Jun 13, 2009 2:41PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm a spoiled 15 year old. I got my iPod nano 4 gig when I was in 7th grade (12 years old) I got my cell phone when I was 13. (birthday) At 13, I got my laptop (Christmas) (I was spending 3 hours a week in a car to and from extra curricular activites and always had projects/ papers to type. The intent was that I'd do that in the car. didn't happen.) At age 14, I got my camera. I've had a used Gameboy color, a new Gameboy advance, and a new Nintendo DS thrown in there also.

  • 13 Posted by patricerjn on Sat Jun 13, 2009 2:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    My two boys share a PS2 and I bought it when the oldest one was in 6th grade. Before that they had to play, exercise, read and pretend like all kids should. They are now 14 and 16 years old, active in sports of their choosing, lean, still reading, and playing second hand games on their PS2. Reluctantly, they each have had a cell phone the past 2 years, but they are not allowed to text. Everything is about moderation and self discipline. More parents should read the book about the Summerhill School which teaches parents and kids about true freedom along with responsibility. Too many people blame others for their children's problems.

  • 14 Posted by quiet_observer_13 on Sat Jun 13, 2009 6:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wow, the only things that my mom ever actually buys me are books. Not that Im complaining, Ill take a good Mario Puzo novel over Halo III any day.

  • 15 Posted by ardente_climhazzard on Sun Jun 14, 2009 3:00AM EDT Report Abuse

    I agree with patricejn. Kids need to learn about responsibility first, then it won't matter if they have all these gadgets. I remember getting a Nintendo 64 till I was almost out of elementary school. I never allowed gaming to interfere with my studies. I would only play if there was no important school-related stuff to do.

  • 16 Posted by marymc01 on Sat Jun 13, 2009 10:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    Some of the video games are pretty complicated and require reading, comprehension, and problem solving skills.

  • 17 Posted by bjferrell@ymail.com on Sun Jun 14, 2009 9:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    And 1 in four will be locked up in jail before their 18th birthday ... Just another stat.

  • 18 Posted by bjferrell@ymail.com on Sun Jun 14, 2009 9:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    And 1 in four will be locked up in jail before their 18th birthday ... Just another stat.

  • 19 Posted by rae_49 on Mon Jun 15, 2009 6:28AM EDT Report Abuse

    why give a 10 year old a cell phone they are not allowed to go outside and play or wonder of the driveway now a days how sad they dont play anymore the parks swings and playgrounds are pretty empty now a days

  • 20 Posted by krazy4magic on Mon Jun 15, 2009 7:58AM EDT Report Abuse

    My son (13yrs old) played on a Sega Genesis when he was 3 years old. The next console he played on was my PS1 a couple years later. He acquired my XBox after I bought a 360 in '06. Now he owns a PS2 & DSLite. He owns his own pre-paid cellphone (a birthday gift from me) and is responsible for his own minutes. He earns money from cutting his grandpas's grass, BTW. He would rather play outside with his friends and playing video games takes a second seat to that (thank God!). I grew up playing games way back in the Coleco/Atari era of the '70s. I still play games...

  • 21 Posted by iluvdogs556 on Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    Honestly I think the only problem creeps up when parents don't moniter it. As long as it's in moderation, I think it's fine to play a little or text a little.

  • 22 Posted by punkrockerduude on Tue Jun 16, 2009 9:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    All I got to say is I'm happy with my buy one get one free cell phone I got, a non brand name mp3 player and a cheap laptop that I souped up to be as good as my dads desktop. All of that has lasted me 3 years and cost about 500$. Perhaps the only other major purpose I asked for was a guitar so I guess I'm not that spoiled, at least when compared to a western lifestyle and some of these spoiled brats I know

  • 23 Posted by cyoungflores on Tue Jun 16, 2009 11:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    as a mother of 5 rangeing in age from 15 to 5 my husband is video game freak & he is 40 so yes we have every console & handheld system, my oldest two just got their first mp3 players. no cell phones except hubby & me. my kids are not allowed to play on school days only wk. ends. during the summer they have to read atleast 30 min before any games are turned on & usually its the computer they want to use which is monitered even down to i know my 15 yr old passwords for myspace or whatever

  • 24 Posted by buddyderbeagle on Thu Jun 18, 2009 3:30AM EDT Report Abuse

    i got my first cell phone at age eleven. even now looking back i think that is too young, because i was too young to realize the value of a cell phone. now that i'm 16 and have a job, and have to pay for my phone, i have a whole new respect for parents out there. however the cell phone is the ONLY thing that i personally own, minus a 1gig mp3 player and a stereo. everything else: the tv, laptops, PS2, Wii, I have to share. i don't really think that it isn't fair. most kids who have all those things, their parents bought and paid for, so the kids never really do get the full appreciation of it.

  • 25 Posted by queenbee23rulz on Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:20PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have a daughter that is 8 and she has her own computer in her room with internet(has parental controls) and playstation 2,ds light,sega,prepaid cell phone,super nintindo,sega dream cast,and i am i allow her to play the whenever she likes after homework is finished and house chores r done. but even with that fredom she does not play them much she would much rather be playing with her friends outside on nice days or reading

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