STM Blog
Canadian Gaming Landscape Shatters Stereotypes: Women Lead the Charge in Nation’s Favorite Pastime
If you still picture video gamers as teenage boys hunched over consoles in darkened basements, it’s time for a serious reality check. A groundbreaking new report from the Entertainment Software Association of Canada reveals that the face of Canadian gaming looks nothing like the outdated stereotypes—and the findings might surprise you.
Women Now Majority of Canadian Gamers
The “Power of Play” report, released October 8th, delivers a stunning statistic that flips conventional wisdom on its head: 51% of Canadian video game players are women, slightly outnumbering their male counterparts at 49%. In Quebec, that number climbs even higher to 53%.
This isn’t a minor shift—it’s a complete transformation of the gaming landscape that challenges decades of marketing, media representation, and cultural assumptions about who plays video games and why.
Your Grandmother Might Be a Gamer (And She’s Not Alone)
Age is another area where reality diverges sharply from stereotype. The report surveyed 1,521 Canadian gamers and found that enjoyment of video games is remarkably consistent across generations:
- 37% of players are aged 35-54
- 35% are aged 55 and older
- 27% are aged 16-34
That’s right—older adults represent the largest demographic of Canadian gamers, with players over 55 outnumbering the youngest adult category. The days of gaming being a “young person’s hobby” are definitively over.
Mobile Gaming Takes the Crown
How Canadians play has evolved as dramatically as who’s playing. Mobile devices are now the platform of choice for 52% of players, decisively outpacing traditional gaming consoles and VR systems (25%) and computers or laptops (22%).
This mobile-first approach explains much of the demographic shift. Gaming is no longer confined to dedicated gaming setups—it happens on transit, during lunch breaks, while waiting for appointments, and anywhere else Canadians have a few minutes and a smartphone.
Puzzles Dominate Canadian Preferences
When it comes to what Canadians play, puzzle games reign supreme. A remarkable 59% of Canadian players prefer puzzle games—significantly higher than the global average of 50%. Action games come in second at 39%.
Quebec follows a similar pattern, with 46% preferring puzzles and 40% enjoying action games, though the gap between genres is narrower than the national average.
“This report highlights the broad popularity of video games across Canada. It also shows that while Canadians play video games to have fun, they are also a vital tool for mental wellness and a source of meaningful human connection.”
— Paul Fogolin, President & CEO, Entertainment Software Association of Canada
Gaming as Mental Health Tool
Beyond entertainment, the report reveals that Canadians recognize significant wellness benefits from gaming:
- 80% play for stress relief and relaxation
- 70% say gaming makes them feel happier
- 68% view games as a healthy outlet from everyday challenges
- 57% credit video games with helping them through difficult life periods
These aren’t trivial numbers. In an era of increasing mental health awareness, video games have emerged as an accessible, affordable tool that millions of Canadians use to manage stress and improve their emotional well-being.
Building Bridges Across Divides
Perhaps most striking are the findings about gaming’s social impact. In a time of increasing polarization and social fragmentation, video games are creating unexpected connections:
- 74% of players believe games unite people from different backgrounds, including various cultures, races, ages, and political affiliations
- 62% feel a strong sense of community through gaming
- 43% have met a good friend, spouse, or significant other through video games
- 51% use games to stay in touch with friends and family
These statistics paint a picture of gaming as social infrastructure—a digital commons where Canadians from coast to coast connect across the divides that often separate us in physical spaces.
Universal Appeal
The report’s most optimistic finding might be this: 76% of Canadians agree “there is a video game for everyone.”
That near-consensus reflects both the incredible diversity of available games and the growing recognition that gaming isn’t a niche hobby—it’s a mainstream form of entertainment and connection that transcends age, gender, and background.
What This Means for Canada
The implications of this data extend beyond the gaming industry. As video games become more universal, they’re shaping how Canadians relax, socialize, and cope with life’s challenges. They’re creating communities that cross traditional boundaries and providing mental health benefits to millions.
For businesses, marketers, and community organizations, these findings suggest it’s time to retire outdated assumptions about gamers. The Canadian gaming community looks like Canada itself—diverse in age, gender, and background, united by the simple desire to play.
The “Power of Play” report surveyed 24,216 active players across 12 countries who play video games for at least one hour per week. The full report is available at theesa.ca/powerofplay.
Canadian Gaming
As gaming continues to evolve and expand its reach, one thing is clear: the power of play is universal, and Canadians are embracing it in record numbers.
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The Knowledge
So, Here’s the Story of Mound Bayou, Mississippi
Discover the inspiring history of Mound Bayou, Mississippi — one of America’s most successful Black-founded towns and a symbol of resilience, freedom, and progress.
Last Updated on June 9, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Did you know there was once a thriving Black-founded town in the Mississippi Delta built on the dream of freedom, self-reliance, and opportunity?
Mound Bayou
Founded in 1887 by Isaiah T. Montgomery and Benjamin T. Green, Mound Bayou, Mississippi became one of the most successful all-Black communities in American history. Established just decades after the Civil War, the town represented hope during a time when racial segregation and violence dominated much of the South.
Mound Bayou quickly grew into a center of Black business, education, healthcare, and agriculture. Residents built schools, churches, newspapers, banks, and medical facilities, proving that economic independence and community leadership could flourish despite enormous challenges.
The city even gained national attention from leaders like Booker T. Washington and President Theodore Roosevelt, who recognized Mound Bayou as a symbol of progress and determination.
During the Civil Rights era, the town also played a role in the fight for justice, particularly through the work of Dr. T.R.M. Howard following the murder of Emmett Till.
Today, Mound Bayou stands as a powerful reminder of resilience, entrepreneurship, and a chapter of American history that deserves far more recognition.
Now you know.
Here are some related article links you can include at the bottom of your STM Daily News post for further reading:
Related Articles & Further Reading
• The Official History of Mound Bayou
https://www.cityofmoundbayou.com/our-history
• Mound Bayou: The Historic Black Community in Mississippi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mound_Bayou,_Mississippi
• The Historic Bank of Mound Bayou
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_of_Mound_Bayou
• The Legacy of Dr. T.R.M. Howard and Civil Rights Activism
https://www.cityofmoundbayou.com/our-history
• How Mound Bayou Became Known as “The Jewel of the Delta”
https://cityofmoundbayou.com/
• Community Discussion About Mound Bayou’s History
https://www.reddit.com/r/BlackHistoryPhotos/comments/1ta0r2e/famous_allblack_american_cities_towns_mound_bayou/
Dive into “The Knowledge,” where curiosity meets clarity. This playlist, in collaboration with STMDailyNews.com, is designed for viewers who value historical accuracy and insightful learning. Our short videos, ranging from 30 seconds to a minute and a half, make complex subjects easy to grasp in no time. Covering everything from historical events to contemporary processes and entertainment, “The Knowledge” bridges the past with the present. In a world where information is abundant yet often misused, our series aims to guide you through the noise, preserving vital knowledge and truths that shape our lives today. Perfect for curious minds eager to discover the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of everything around us. Subscribe and join in as we explore the facts that matter. https://stmdailynews.com/the-knowledge/
Entertainment
Life isn’t all diamonds – money and fame don’t shield the many ‘Real Housewives’ facing criminal charges
“The Real Housewives” is more than messy drama—it’s a crash course in real-world crime, as cast members face charges from DUIs and theft to fraud, assault, and federal prison.
C. Clare Strange, Drexel University
“The Real Housewives” reality TV series, which showcases the lives of a rotating cast of wealthy women in 11 cities in the U.S. and places in several other countries, is famous for its characters’ over-the-top drama and messy personal antics.
But there are also useful lessons that the characters’ lives and frequent run-ins with the law offer to casual observers and criminology students alike.
I developed the idea for The Real Housewives of Criminology course when I heard a story on NPR in 2023 about how the Bravo Network franchise was becoming more like a true-crime TV series.
Jen Shah, a cast member from “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,” had recently been sentenced to six years in federal prison for her role in a nationwide telemarketing scheme – but she wasn’t the only one on the show who met such a fate.
Many people who appear on “Housewives” share a real-life penchant for crime – from driving-under-the-influence charges and theft to fraud and assault.
During any given episode, viewers may find “Housewives” stars and their families navigating the fallout – from court dates to public shaming.
I realized that these scenes illustrate core concepts from criminal justice theory and practice as well as any textbook.
A window into the course
The course examines the criminal cases of the “Housewives” and compares them to those of the general public.
Students discuss how factors such as social class, age and race can impact people’s experiences with the justice system. At the same time, they come to understand that factors such as how serious a crime is, a person’s criminal history and the harm done to victims tend to drive case outcomes more than any other factor.
I believe that this course is especially relevant now, because it is increasingly common for undergraduate students to consume news about crime and punishment from streaming platforms and social media.
It seems there is a new “Housewife” arrest every several months, which brings with it new circumstances and a new case study to dissect.
Critical lessons
One key takeaway from the course is that there are many meaningful differences – and similarities – between the criminal cases shown in “Housewives” and those of most people.
While money and power can often go a long way in fighting a criminal conviction, sometimes they fall short when the harm to victims or society is too great, or the pattern of behavior is too obvious.
Many “Housewives” stars and their families have learned this lesson the hard way.
Read along
This course requires students to view footage from “The Real Housewives,” read peer-reviewed criminological research, and listen to podcast episodes from “The Bravo Docket.”
We even read book chapters straight from some of the Housewives’ memoirs. All of this culminates in a “Final Reunion,” meaning a final verbal exam for students, in which they embody one of the “Housewives” cast members and answer questions from me – dressed as host Andy Cohen – about their criminal cases.
Real takeaways
While the court of public opinion tends to quickly draw conclusions from limited information, my honors students learn that there is more than meets the eye when it comes to the U.S. justice system.
The Real Housewives of Criminology helps them to navigate the nuance beneath the headlines about popular crime news stories, in and beyond the “Bravosphere.”
C. Clare Strange, Assistant Research Professor of Criminology and Justice Studies, Drexel University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Blog
The Substitute Teacher Who Wanted Blueprints of Our House
A fifth-grade assignment took a strange turn when a substitute teacher asked students to draw schematics of their homes. What followed — a wildly fictional floor plan and a priceless reaction from my mom — turned into one of my funniest childhood memories.
Last Updated on June 4, 2026 by Daily News Staff
The Substitute Teacher Who Wanted Blueprints of Our House
Elementary school memories tend to blend together — cafeteria pizza, playground arguments, the eternal struggle of times tables — but every once in a while, something happens that sticks with you for life. For me, that moment came in the fifth grade during a week when our regular teacher was out, and we cycled through substitute teachers like we were testing models for durability.
By midweek, in walked a substitute with a mysterious, slightly intense energy — the kind of vibe that suggested he either meditated at dawn or worked a graveyard shift doing something he couldn’t talk about. We settled into our seats, expecting worksheets or quiet reading time.
But nope.
He had other plans.
“Today,” he announced, “we’re going to draw schematics of our houses.”
Schematics. Not drawings. Not little houses with smoke coming out of the chimney. Actual blueprint-style schematics. He wanted the layout of our bedrooms, our parents’ rooms, and where the pets slept. Every detail.
Now, to be fair, Highlights Magazine did have a feature that month teaching kids how to draw floor plans. So maybe he was just a bit overenthusiastic about cross-curricular learning. Or maybe — and this is my completely rhetorical adult theory — he worked the graveyard shift as a cat burglar gathering intel between heists. Just moonlighting between blueprints.
While the rest of the class tried their best to recreate their actual homes, my imagination sprinted in a totally different direction. The house I drew had:
- A massive master bedroom with an oversized bathroom for my parents
- Separate bedrooms for us kids on the opposite side of the house
- A kitchen placed right in the center like a command center
- And the dog — the true VIP — had a luxurious two-story doghouse
I had basically created a dream home designed by a 10-year-old watching too much Fantasy Homes by the Yard.
Later that day, my mom asked the usual question: “So, what did you guys do today?”
“We drew schematics of our house,” I said casually.
The look on her face was instant and intense. She wasn’t panicked, but there was definitely a “Why does a substitute teacher need to know the exact layout of my home?” expression happening. Parental instincts activated.
But then I showed her my diagram.
She stared at it. Blinked. Then sighed with massive relief.
“This isn’t our house,” she said.
“Nope! I made it up,” I replied proudly.
Her shoulders relaxed so much she probably lost five pounds of tension in one instant. If the substitute was secretly planning a heist, my masterpiece of misinformation would have sent him to the wrong house entirely.
Looking back, the whole moment feels like a sitcom setup — a mysterious substitute collecting “house schematics,” me creating a completely fictional piece of architecture, and my mom going on a full emotional journey in under 30 seconds.
Maybe he was just excited about the Highlights Magazine floor-plan activity. Or maybe — just maybe — he moonlighted in cat burglary. We’ll never know.
But if he was, I like to think I threw him completely off the scent.
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