Gaming vs Real Life: How Do Relationships in Gaming Effect Adolescents' Real Life Relationships?

Having a foundation of good self-esteem and a sense of belonging allows adolescents to worry less over the pressure to fit-in. As found in a multitude of studies, video games provide an environment for developing esteem and a sense of belonging through the development of relationships within the game.

These developments can potentially contribute to a users confidence in interacting with people in real life. However, more research needs to be done on how self-esteem development in gaming applies to self-esteem in real life. Because video games characters are developed a part from the user themselves, users might find a sensation of self-esteem established in a virtual setting, but not in the real world.

In a study examining users motivations and gratifications within a popular Facebook game, users interpersonal relationships and self-esteem positively developed with an increase in game usage (). How those interpersonal relationships were developed within the game, however, do not reflect the relationships those individuals develop in the real world.

Relationship development in gaming is good for improving self-esteem, self-perception, and a sense of belonging. These developments can be applied to real-time relationships in limited ways. Adolescents can learn important skills within the context of gaming, but how those skills are applied to the real world really depends on how each individual utilizes them. While video games can support a large part of growth in adolescence, it is still important for players to develop relationships outside of a video game because real life relationship endure obstacles that allow growth beyond a virtual environment.

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