M2 Research Reports 90 Percent of Tweens are Playing Games Online; Mobile and Social Media Use on the Rise Among Children

Encinitas, CA (PRWEB) August 18, 2010

Today's kids are playing games on consoles, computers, portables and online more than ever before. Kids and Games: What Boys and Girls are Playing Today is a new report series launched by M2 Research. Key findings from the report include:

1. Social Networking: Social Networking is increasingly prevalent in children's lives. Facebook is now the favorite website among tween (8-11) boys and teen (12-15) girls.

2. Key Demographic and "Sweet Spot": Online games dominate for boys and girls ages 8-11. 91% of tween boys and 93% of tween girls play games online.

3. Nintendo Dominates Handheld Gaming Space: But thanks largely to the iPad and iPhone, Apple is becoming a significant player especially with girls.

4. Portable Platform Discrepancy: Sony's PSP has the largest gender discrepancy. 17% of teen girls play games on the PSP compared to 44% of teen boys.

5. Strong Videogame Franchises: Franchises continue to flourish at the top of the "Favorites" list for boys and girls. The videogame franchise girls prefer is the Mario Series, with 20% of girls picking it as their favorite. Boys, prefer Call of Duty: Modern Warfare with 36% of teen boys picking it as their favorite game.

"We have found kids tend to play a wide variety of games, and their favorite games and gaming sites change often." explains Louise Curcio, M2 Research Analyst. "There are opportunities for companies, and we believe the kids market has been overlooked."

Lead author for this report, Louise Curcio, has extensive experience in consumer marketing and children?s gaming. Contributing authors, Wanda Meloni and Billy Pidgeon, have both been tracking videogames, online gaming and development technologies for many years.

The Kids and Games: What Boys and Girls are Playing Today report has over 80 gaming charts and outlines key trends and companies. Survey data is collected from over 5,000 kids across the United States. M2 Research has formed a strategic partnership with KidSay to create this ongoing report series, which will be released twice per year.

For further information about the report and pricing, please contact: Wanda Meloni

About M2 Research

M2 Research has been providing market analysis in the gaming and entertainment space since 2000. The M2 Analysts include Wanda Meloni, Billy Pidgeon and Louise Curcio. With a focus on gaming and emerging trends in demographics, technology, and consumer preferences, M2 Research publishes market reports and newsletters. The company also works with clients on customized market planning and analysis. For further information contact us or visit us at http://www.m2research.com.

About KidSay

KidSay is a research company that has been tracking kids? behaviors for over 10 years. Kidsay performs one-on-one surveys with children around the country five times annually. KidSay can be reached at http://www.kidsay.com.

CONTACT:

Wanda Meloni

M2 Research

wanda(at)m2research(dot)com

Tel: 760-213-7939

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LV= Reports Dog Owners Swap Bones for Broccoli

(PRWEB) November 11, 2008

The latest report from insurance provider LV= has shown that health concerns have led to a surge in pet owners changing their pets' diets and swapping meat for vegetables and fruit.

40% of pet owners now feed their pets up to three portions of fruit and veg a day and according to the new research by pet insurer (http://www.lv.com/insurance/pet_insurance ) LV= there are now more than 145,000 cats and dogs in the UK on a vegetarian diet.

In turning their animals vegetarian, these pet owners are following celebrity dog-owners such as Alicia Silverstone* and Paul McCartney** who feed their dogs a vegan and vegetarian diet respectively.

One of the main reasons for the trend in vegetable heavy diets is the perceived health benefit, with 42% of pet owners who have increased the number of vegetables in their pets' diet saying they have done so to improve the health of their animal.

16% of pet owners said they simply follow Government nutritional advice for humans, such as eating five portions of vegetable and fruit a day, and apply it to their pet.

According to the report from LV= (http://www.lv.com/ ), other reasons given include the cheaper cost of a vegetarian diet (12%), because organic pet food is a waste of money (29%) and because it's more ethical (4%). Just one in four (24%) of the UK's cats and dogs now exist on a meat-only diet.

The most popular vegetables to give to pets are carrots (19%), potatoes (12%) and peas (11%).

As well as pets eating more vegetables, the LV= research shows that 13% of UK pets are given vitamin or vegetable supplements daily.

Health-conscious owners say they have noticed a range of improvements from their veggie-eating pets, from fewer health problems (27%), glossier coats (21%), and a better digestion (28%), to loss of weight (13%).

Emma Holyer, Spokesperson for LV=, said:

"As this research shows there are thousands of cats and dogs consuming vegetables in their diets without any problems. In fact, these diets are well known for relieving arthritis, skin and fur problems and obesity in dogs.

"However, pet owners thinking of putting their pet on a vegetable only diet should check with their vet. Cats cannot survive on a vegetarian diet and will need specialist supplements, and although dogs can survive, a sudden change in diet is likely to cause problems. Animals are just like humans in that they need a mixture of minerals and vitamins to keep them healthy, and cutting out whole food groups, like protein, can seriously damage their health."

About LV=

LV= is a trademark of Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society Limited (LVFS) and LV= is a trading style of the Liverpool Victoria group of companies.

LV= employs over 2,700 people, serves more than 2.5 million customers and members, and manages more than ?7.7 billion on their behalf. LV= is the UK's largest friendly society offering a wide range of financial products including home, car insurance (http://www.lv.com/insurance/car_insurance ), pet insurance (http://www.lv.com/insurance/pet_insurance/features_benefits ) and travel insurance (http://www.lv.com/insurance/travel_insurance ) direct to consumers.

Source: nowmagazine.co.uk
** Source: dogs.suite101.com

ends -

Notes to Editors:

The research was carried out on behalf of LV= by YouGov. A nationally representative sample of 2,050 pet owners were questioned online between 9th and 11th September 2008. Results are weighted to be representative of the UK adult population. YouGov is a member of the British Polling Council.

LV= PR contact:

Emma Holyer

Press Office

LV=

69 Park Lane

Croydon

CR9 1BG

0208 256 6714

Emma.holyer @ lv.com

http://www.lv.com

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