Gen Z Spend More Time Gaming Than Using Social Media- New Research

Gaming is the most popular leisure activity for Gen Z audiences, according to research from gaming analytics company Newzoo.

Gen Z consumers say they spend a quarter (25%) of their leisure time playing video games, making it the most popular activity. In comparison, 18% of their leisure time is spent using social media and 17% is spent streaming video content.

The same is true for millennials, with video games taking a 21% share of total leisure time. The gap is smaller though, with streaming video content taking a 19% share.

For older audiences, watching broadcast TV content proves most popular. For Gen X audiences, it takes a 24% share (compared to video games’ 18%) and for Baby Boomers it takes a 35% share (compared to just 10% for video games).

The popularity of gaming among younger audiences extends to kids as well, with over 70% playing daily.

Part of the growing appeal of gaming among a range of audiences is the potential for social and creative playing. As a result, brands need to understand the role gaming has with audiences’ social lives and culture.

Credit: WARC