March 24, 2025

The Rise of Esports: Are Parents on Board?

Written by Riley Haas

Parent Resources

Esports is exploding in popularity, shifting from a pastime to a real career path for many young gamers. As a result, many parents looking to guide their children's ambitions are starting to take competitive gaming more seriously. This article looks at how parents' views are changing, the skills kids can gain through gaming, and the financial opportunities esports can provide them in the future.

Key Takeaways

2 in 5 American kids aspire to pursue an esports career.
Parents have invested an average of $1,000 in their child's gaming ambitions, with 16% spending over $3,000
1 in 2 parents believe video games positively impact their children's mental health and social skills.
Over 2 in 5 parents think esports could provide a more fulfilling future than traditional careers like teaching or law.
60% of parents view esports as more mentally demanding but less physically demanding than traditional sports.
1 in 3 parents think gaming could help their child secure a college scholarship.
Esports earnings tend to peak between ages 19 and 24. Players aged 21 collectively earn the most overall, with total earnings reaching $137,667,054. Meanwhile, 24-year-olds have the highest average earnings per player at $28,244.

Parents' Support for Esports Dreams

Parental attitudes toward gaming and esports are shifting as more children express interest in pursuing this modern career path. This section explores how parents are investing in and supporting their children's gaming ambitions and the benefits they see as a result.

According to their parents, nearly 2 in 5 American kids have aspired to an esports career, and many parents have rallied behind their children's dreams. On average, parents have invested $1,000 in these gaming pursuits, with 16% spending over $3,000. While the financial commitment is significant, the emotional rewards are equally compelling: 2 in 5 parents said supporting their child's gaming ambitions has made them happier or more focused in school.

Parents have also seen a wide range of skills develop through gaming. Strategic thinking topped the list, with 82% of parents recognizing it as a key benefit, followed by problem-solving (70%), decision-making under pressure (66%), teamwork (56%), and communication skills (45%).

The positive impact extends beyond skill-building – half of parents believe video games have improved their children's mental health and social skills. Additionally, one in three parents think gaming could open doors to a college scholarship.

Many parents' perspectives on esports have shifted due to their child's passion and dedication (49%), learning about career opportunities in esports (33%), or seeing tangible improvements in their child's skills or behavior as a result of gaming (32%). Another 25% said conversations with other parents or experts played a role in changing their mindset.

Stability, Challenges, and Potential

As esports' popularity grows, parents are rethinking its potential as a legitimate and fulfilling career option. This section explores parents' opinions on esports' stability, challenges, and opportunities.

While concerns about job security are often tied to non-traditional careers, nearly 1 in 3 parents said they're not worried about the long-term stability of esports as a profession. In fact, over 2 in 5 parents believed esports could lead to a more fulfilling future for their children than conventional careers like teaching or law.

This support appeared to develop organically, as 4 in 5 parents didn't feel pressured by their children to take gaming seriously as a career path. However, many parents recognized the need for more information: half said they want better resources to understand the opportunities and challenges associated with an esports career.

Perceptions about the demands of an esports career revealed mixed opinions. Just over half of parents (60%) said esports is more mentally taxing but less physically demanding than traditional sports.

A Lucrative Industry With Global Opportunities

Esports can pay top players handsomely, with millions of dollars in prize pools and earnings for those who excel. This section explores the global earnings trends and standout achievements in competitive gaming.

China has dominated esports earnings, amassing $321 million, largely driven by the success of Dota 2. Denmark and Finland produced the two top-earning esports players: Johan "N0tail" Sundstein from Denmark, who earned $7.18 million, and Jesse "JerAx" Vainikka from Finland, with $6.49 million in total winnings.

Earnings in esports tend to peak between the ages of 19 and 24, with 21-year-olds collectively earning the most overall at $137,667,054. However, players at age 24 have the highest average earnings, raking in $28,244 per individual.

Top Young Earners in Esports

Esports is a young industry, and its top players often achieve incredible success before even reaching adulthood. These reflect the players' talent and esports' rapid growth as a financially rewarding field for young competitors.

Individual players can reach remarkable financial heights early in life. Kyle "Bugha" Giersdorf earned $3.2 million before turning 18, showcasing the potential for young gamers to achieve life-changing success.

Top Games Awarding Prize Money

Some games are synonymous with massive prize pools, fueling esports' growth as a serious industry.

Dota 2 led the pack with an unparalleled $365.9 million in total prize money awarded, thanks to its legendary tournaments like The International. Fortnite followed with $192.9 million, propelled by its global popularity and high-profile events like the Fortnite World Cup. Other heavyweights included Counter-Strike: Global Offensive ($162.7 million) and League of Legends ($116.6 million), both of which boast dedicated player bases and established competitive circuits.

The Future of Esports in Family Conversations

The rise of esports is changing parents' perceptions about their children's gaming ambitions. With many recognizing the skill development and scholarship opportunities associated with gaming, esports is carving out a place as a respected career path. As families discuss its potential, esports could create a new era of possibilities for young gamers.

Methodology

For this study, we surveyed 1,000 American parents to uncover evolving perceptions of esports as a viable career path. The average age was 40; 53% of respondents were female, 45% were male, and 1% were nonbinary. All esports earnings were collected from esportsearnings.com.

About Prodigy Education

Prodigy Education is a global leader in game-based learning. Our mission is to help every student in the world love learning, motivating millions worldwide via fun, secure, and accessible curriculum-aligned gameplay experiences. At Prodigy Education, we believe maximizing student motivation helps develop a lifetime love of learning. Prodigy's approach to fun, game-based learning means kids no longer have to choose between homework and playtime. Visit www.prodigygame.com to learn more.