Examination of Children’ Playing Game Tendencies and Digital Game Preferences Based on Gender

Abstract

This study reports on a survey of 4-8th grade students’ (N=10139) playing game tendencies and digital game preferences based on gender. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the children’ playing game tendencies and digital game preferences. And also, frequent pattern mining was used to discover which digital games are played frequently and together by children. The findings showed that children have an increase time spent playing games on weekend and boys tend to playing game more than girls. On the other hand, action games stood out as the most common choice among the children both girls and boys. In terms of game language, Turkish and English games were preferred almost equally. In addition, children mostly preferred digital games that can be played online, offering in-app purchases, and played on mobile devices. According to the frequency of playing, it was found that the children mostly preferred to play Minecraft, followed by Subway Surfers and Hay Day, respectively. In terms of gender, it was concluded that girls mostly preferred Subway Surfers, while boys played Hay Day. When the games were considered according to the frequency of playing together, Temple Run and Subway Surfers games among girls, and FIFA and Piano Tiles games among boys can be played together. The research reveals more detailed information about children’ game preferences in terms of gender.