Arab Educational Information Network

This study aimed at exploring the status quo of electronic games use and its impact on recreational sports participation, among a sample of second grade students at middle schools in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The study includes the start of playing these games, type of current device used, type of games, internet use for playing, place where playing occurs, playing with others, number of weekly days and number of playing hours per day, selection of games and their attractions, and reasons for playing electronic games. A Cluster Random Sampling was used to select 535 participants, most of whom has an electronic device for games. The study's results indicated an overwhelming majority of the sample own electronic game devices, started playing from an early age and use the internet for play purposes. Warfare, adventure and sports were mostly favored electronic games, and competition was the most attractive elements of game selection. Finally, most electronic games players think of limited impact of these games on their participation in recreational sports activities. Based on the results recommendations for guardians were provided. (Published abstract)