Washington - Ninety-seven percent of young Americans ages 12 to 17 play video games, including 99% of boys and 94% of girls, according to a report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

Half of the 1,102 young people surveyed between November 2007 and February of this year reported having played a video game in the past day.

Among platforms, 86% play on consoles; 73% on a desktop or laptop computer; 60% on a handheld like the DS or PSP; and 48% play on their cell phones.

The most popular game genres were racing, puzzle, sports, action, adventure and rhythm; just 21% of teens said they played massively multiplayer online games, while 10% reported visiting virtual worlds like Second Life or Habbo Hotel.

Overall, the five most popular games among teens were "Guitar Hero," "Halo 3," "Madden NFL," "Solitaire" and "Dance Dance Revolution."

Some 32% of gaming teens reported that at least one of their three favorite games is rated "Mature" or "Adults Only."

When asked about social interactions during gaming, 65% of teens said they play games with other people in the room with them, and 27% play with people over the Internet; 82% said they played games alone -- but 71% of this group also plays with others.

The Pew study also examined the civic dimensions of video game playing, and found that the quantity of game play did not affect teens' engagement in their communities.

Related Links:
http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/263/report_display.asp

http://snipurl.com/3qup8 (AP)