A leading Swedish research group has found that teenagers in the country are boozing less and taking fewer drugs than any time in recent history - and suggested that video games are a key factor in the decline.
The level of 15 and 16-year-old boys who tried alcohol in the past year sunk to 55 percent - the lowest since CAN began its investigations in 1971. Ten years ago, that figure stood at 77 per cent. Figures for smoking and drug-taking also showed a steep decline.
"We see similar developments in other Nordic countries, and also in the United States. It seems to be an international trend," CAN director Bjorn Hibell told Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter on Tuesday.
Hibell noted that levels of boozing amongst boys was lower than girls. 59 percent of female respondents said they had drunk alcohol in 2011.
"Sitting by the computer playing games is perhaps more boy-oriented than girl-oriented," said Hibell. "That might be a contributing factor."
Sobriety organisation IOGT-NTO also laid valour at gaming's door. Referring to CAN's research, it suggested that the hobby encouraged a culture of alertness.
Organisation's head Anna Carlstedt commented: "When you play computer games, or rehearse with your rock band, it doesn't work to be drunk. This is incredibly positive."
Thanks, Anders G
Comments
13 comments so far...
zombiesinmyhead on 7 Jul '11 said:
Wow, Swedish kids, what a bunch of stiffs!
almanac2015 on 7 Jul '11 said:
Is WoW a drug?
RandyTandy on 7 Jul '11 said:
On the other hand, everyone's drunk over here because we're playing Just Dance and Zumba Fitness.
Earthrod on 7 Jul '11 said:
Being in various rock bands over the past 19 years I can I can safely state: that is horses**t.
HeavenlyGamer on 7 Jul '11 said:
It's true! I remember standing in the shop and asking myself: shall I get a PS3 or some crack and a bottle of whiskey? I made a wise decision and bought a PS3. Thank god drugs and alcohol didn't exist before the first video games were developed!
I don't get these BS studies. It's like the ones saying: video games are the main reason school kids shoot at other school kinds because they were playing violent games. No it's not, those persons are just crazy and/or weak minded AND happened to be paying violent video games.
That's like saying George Bush (both of them), Obama, Tony Blair, Hitler, etc. are/were war loving rats just because they enjoy violent video games.
almanac2015 on 7 Jul '11 said:
When it is perfectly obvious that they enjoy playing video games because they feel they just haven't sent enough people to war in real life.
jdkoke on 7 Jul '11 said:
I did both when I was that age and still do at 27 but then am not Sweedish so aye someone save me from my 'hell' please
Random Hangman on 7 Jul '11 said:
That's Sweden off the list for this year's holiday then
StonecoldMC on 7 Jul '11 said:
What was that Blockheads song again . . . . . . . . . oh . . . thats right.
Sex & Drugs and VideoGames. A true Classic, didnt break the Top 40 in Sweden though.
mandlecreed on 7 Jul '11 said:
"When you play computer games... it doesn't work to be drunk."
No, that's wrong. Back when I was younger I distinctly remember Super Bomberman being an awful lot better when we were drunk.
budobear on 7 Jul '11 said:
Gaming drunk is great.....
GT5 drunk is brilliant (it looks better for a start)......all I'll say is drunken top gear test track leader board!
Jensonjet on 7 Jul '11 said:
I bet we won't read this in a British newspaper. Well I won't, I never buy the things.
rbt2 on 7 Jul '11 said:
Video games are saving them from drugs and booze?
A reason to give up gaming if ever there was one!