The Role of Online Games in Promoting Social Skills and Collaboration Across Age Groups: An Observational Study

Abstract

Online gaming has transcended its initial perception as mere entertainment, evolving into a pervasive cultural phenomenon with the potential to significantly influence social skills and collaborative behaviours across diverse age demographics (Jiménez, 2015). This study investigates the multifaceted role of online games in fostering social competencies and collaborative aptitudes within a participant pool encompassing teenagers (students), parents, working professionals, and self-employed individuals. Survey data collected from 250 participants through questionnaires, observations, and interviews revealed trends in gameplay frequency, genre preference, and responses to in-game social interactions. The analysis revealed a noteworthy correlation between online game participation and the enhancement of social skills and collaborative abilities. The study concludes that online games can serve as a valuable platform for the development of communication skills, social acumen, and collaborative spirit, with these benefits extending across a wide spectrum of age groups, suggesting that digital gaming environments can provide meaningful opportunities for social learning and interaction (Koivula et al., 2017).