Half of Tween Girls Are Online Gamers

Online gaming among tween girls is on the rise, as more are turning to the web to take quizzes and participate in social role-playing challenges, a new study suggests.

A new report by tween gaming platform GirlsgoGames.com found that about 50% of tween girls between the ages of 8 and 12 are turning to the Internet for entertainment and social gaming. In addition, the amount of time tween girls spend playing games each month has more than doubled over the last year, from 38 minutes a month to 1 hour and 18 minutes.

The study was conducted among 7.6 million U.S. site visitors via GirlsgoGames.com during 2011 and the first quarter of 2012. GirlsgoGames is owned by Amsterdam-based Spil Games, the largest independent online gaming company in the world.

According to GirlsgoGames, tweens are especially attracted to the social aspects of online gaming and drawn to games where they can interact, share content and create avatars for role play. They are also most interested in games that involve cooking, dressing up and quizzes, followed by make-up/makeover and animal games.

What used to be a paper doll phenomenon among young girls now involves tween gamers virtually dressing up celebrities in new clothes and makeup. The study revealed that pop singer Beyonce is the most beloved celebrity among this demographic, followed by Justin Bieber (no. 2), Angelina Jolie (no. 3), Miley Cyrus (no. 4) and Jennifer Lawrence (no. 5).

More tweens are also getting their own mobile devices. According to a recent Nielson report, about 35% of girls ages 8 to 12 own a mobile phone. The GirlsgoGames.com report found that among these users, iOS devices are more popular (54%) than Android devices, as 24% own iPads, 19% have iPod Touches and 11% use iPhon