Professional paper

MEANING OF VIDEO GAMES FOR INTERACTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS IN THE FAMILY

Valentina Novak ; University North, 104. brigade 3, 42 000 Varaždin, Croatia *
Zoran Zoričić ; Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Vinogradska cesta 29, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Jelena Pejić ; Faculty of Medicine, University of Mostar, Zrinskog Frankopana 34, 88 000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Video games carry different meanings for adolescent gamers and their parents, stemming from differences in knowledge, experience, and communication styles, which often lead to misunderstandings and conflicts within the family. The aim of this qualitative study was to gain deeper insight into the socio-cultural phenomenology of generational perspectives on video games. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 11 gamers aged 16–30 and 9 parents of gamers aged 41–67. The study was conducted in accordance with ethical principles of voluntariness and anonymity, with written informed consent obtained from all participants.
The findings indicate a generational discrepancy in knowledge and attitudes towards video games, arising from differences in the life knowledge structures of parents and children. Parents express concern about gaming, while gamers report frustration and regret over parental misunderstanding. These differences result in conflicts rooted in parents’ attempts to maintain authority on the one hand and gamers’ resistance to that authority and need for autonomy on the other.
The generational gap in the perception of video games reflects the complexity of intergenerational relationships. Differences in generational forms of knowledge do not necessarily lead exclusively to conflict. Targeted interventions such as education and joint gaming may foster understanding, strengthen family connectedness, and support healthier patterns of video game use.

Keywords

video games; generational gap; knowledge; education

Hrčak ID:

347499

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/347499

Publication date:

29.5.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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