American Kids Are Playing Fewer Video Games

Recent industry data indicates a notable decline in video game engagement among American children under the age of 13. According to the 2024 U.S. Gamer Segmentation survey conducted by Circana, the number of child gamers dropped to 38.5 million from a pandemic-era peak of 40.9 million in 2022. This figure is now slightly lower than the 38.7 million recorded in 2018. Beyond the reduction in the total number of players, children are also spending less time actively gaming, with weekly playtime for those aged 2–12 falling from 17.2 hours in 2022 to 16 hours in 2024.

The shift is attributed to a broader post-pandemic normalization, as children return to school and extracurricular activities, reducing the availability of leisure time that characterized the 2020 and 2022 lockdown periods. Analysts note a decline in incidental players—those who play only occasionally—across all age demographics. However, while active gameplay has decreased, consumption of gaming-related content has risen; children are now watching an average of 10.1 hours of gaming videos and streams per week, up from 8.9 hours in 2022.

Despite these trends, specific platforms and titles continue to demonstrate significant growth. Roblox reported a record 88.9 million daily active users in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 18 million year-over-year. Additionally, the mobile launch of Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket saw substantial initial success, with estimated worldwide revenue reaching millions within its first two days. These findings suggest that while the overall market is settling from pandemic-driven highs, high-engagement platforms and established franchises remain resilient in the face of shifting consumer habits.