((NewsNation) — According to a new Pew Research survey 85% of American teens say they play video games and about 40% say they do so every day.
The survey of 1,423 youths between ages 13 and 17 found that most find the good side of gaming, and some acknowledge the hazards.
Most like the social aspect. 72% say they play video games to spend time with others, and 47% say gaming has led to friendships. Also, more than half say gaming has helped improve their problem-solving skills.
On the downside, 41% say playing video games has hurt their sleep. And eight in ten believe that harassment is a problem online. Forty-one percent say they’ve been called an offensive name while playing.
There is also a big difference between playing games and identifying as a “gamer.”
Ninety-seven percent of boys say they play video games compared to 75% of girls. But only 17% of girls label themselves as gamers compared to 62% of boys.
Gender also plays a part in the time spent playing. Sixty-one percent of boys say they play every day, versus 22% of girls.
Gaming consoles and smartphones are the overwhelming hardware of choice. 73% say they use a PlayStation, Switch or Xbox, while 70% use a smartphone. Forty-nine percent say they play on a computer, 33% do so on a tablet and 24% use a virtual reality headset.
And about half the teens surveyed say they play games on two or three different devices.