The Role of Video Games in Everyday Practices of Student Youth: Results of a Sociological Study

This article examines the specifics of the gaming experiences of modern student youth based on the results of a sociological survey. It analyzes the prevalence of video games among youth activities, the nature of gaming practices, students’ attitudes toward video games, as well as their perception as an element of modern digital culture. Particular attention is paid to the interpretation of video games not only as a form of leisure activities but also as a significant element of everyday practices and digital socialization. The communicative aspects of the gaming environment and the role of video games in the digital engagement of modern youth are considered. Particular focus is placed on the position of the domestic gaming segment amidst the dominance of foreign digital products. The study concludes that there is a high degree of normalization of gaming culture among students, alongside an ambivalent perception of the impact that video games have on youth. It is noted that the gaming environment is gradually becoming a stable part of the digital everyday life of modern university students.