New trend sees grandparents in the UK turning to gaming with the younger generation

It’s not just the teenagers that have to be told to get off the Xbox for dinner anymore – and this new gaming generation may need you to shout even louder.

A new survey of over-65s who are interested in gaming has shown that 85 per cent play video games at least once a week, while 36 per cent play every day.

Many of these grandparent gamers say that they first picked up the console during the COVID-19 lockdowns, and now use them regularly to keep their mind active.

Studies have shown that games can boost the brainpower of the elderly and stave off dementia.

New trend sees grandparents in the UK turning to gaming with the younger generation (stock image)

According to the new research, 42 per cent of elderly gamers do so to bond and spend time with family members of all ages.

While 51 per cent like to play by themselves, 42 per cent enjoy playing with – or against – their children or grandchildren, and 44 per cent with their partner.

This is especially the case during the winter when many seniors find it more difficult to leave the house and meet up face-to-face.

But they aren’t just motivated by their relatives, as a quarter revealed they play to keep their brain engaged.

Certain brain training games have been proven to help elderly people perform better at everyday tasks and improve their driving.

Over a fifth say that a session on the PlayStation or Xbox helps boost their mood, while 23 per cent find it ‘calming’ as it ‘takes their mind off the busy world’.

The research was conducted by Samsung UK, who surveyed 1,000 UK adults aged 65 and over who either have played, or would be interested in playing, computer or video games.

Almost a fifth of gamers surveyed said that they picked up the hobby during the pandemic, and haven’t wanted to stop since.

While 51 per cent like to play by themselves, 42 per cent of elderly gamers enjoy playing with – or against – their children or grandchildren (stock image)

Graeme Little, Head of Display at Samsung Electronics UK, said: ‘The power of connection that technology can bring was evident during the pandemic, and it’s incredible to see the older generation embracing the virtual world and continuing new habits formed over the past few years.’

Of those who were interested in getting into video games, but had not yet done so, 32 per cent said this was because of ‘not understanding the technology’.

Another 31 per cent said they were still ‘needing someone to explain how to play’, and 29 per cent said they did not think they had the correct equipment to do so.

Grandad Frank, a 77-year-old TikTok sensation with over seven million followers, has teamed up with Samsung to learn how to game for the very first time.

Grandad Frank, a 77-year-old TikTok sensation with over seven million followers, has teamed up with Samsung to learn how to game from Twitch and YouTube gaming star Gee Nelly

He is being taught by Twitch and YouTube gaming star Gee Nelly, and hopes to inspire other older people to join him. 

He said: ‘It was during the pandemic that I started creating videos on TikTok with my granddaughter, Kiera, and since then we’ve been closer than ever. 

‘Embracing the digital world, with the help of my family, has been so much fun over the last few years and has certainly kept us all laughing.

‘That’s why I’ve teamed up with Samsung to help other older people out there get online, whether it’s playing a video game with your grandchildren or doing a silly TikTok dance. 

‘You’ll be amazed by the connection it can bring – I feel like I’m having a second childhood!’

• An earlier version of this article stated that, according to findings from a Samsung UK survey, 85% of UK adults over 65 now play video games at least once a week with 36% playing every day. Samsung UK has since issued an updated press release to make clear that the over-65s who took part in the survey already had an interest in gaming. We have amended the article to reflect this.