US Teenagers Shun Games with Stereotypical Female Portrayals

According to a recent study, more than 40% of adolescent gamers in the US deliberately avoid media that depicts women in a stereotypical and damaging manner. The Teens and Screens Report 2025, conducted by UCLA's Center for Scholars & Storytellers, surveyed 1,500 adolescents aged 10-24 about their gaming experiences. The report found that 42.1% of female gamers and 36.8% of male gamers avoid games with derogatory female portrayals. A significant concern among those surveyed was the fear of harassment. Over half of female gamers felt pressured to behave in a certain way while gaming due to their gender, race, or other identity, with 64.5% of male gamers experiencing similar pressure. The study noted that adolescents across identities reported feeling pressured to conform socially, meet performance expectations, and combat stereotypes. While gaming's social features can foster community, they can also lead to social pressures. Diversity remains a crucial issue, with 41.6% of gamers considering racial diversity in characters and storylines when selecting games. However, 47.8% of respondents struggled to find games with characters that represent them, with over half of Asian and Hispanic or Latino players being particularly affected. On a positive note, the report found that 88% of respondents discovered a sense of community through gaming, with nearly 70% feeling more connected to friends. The study also revealed that 52.3% of gamers believed that gaming helped them manage their emotions, with less than a third reporting that gaming made them feel more aggressive or stressed.