Should my children play games?
- Thread starter Ionait
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I actually think the problem of parents not knowing about games will be significantly less in future generations, seeing as games are much more widespread now, so basically when this generation of younger gamers grows up and has a family, they will be more likely to take an interest into their children's gaming habits, as they are interested themselves and know about the culture of it all.
As a parent myself, I understand your concern. Just don't let that concern become rampant paranoia, though it seems unlikely that would happen given you have some experience in the enjoyment of games, so I am assuming you understand the benefits and the potential risks.
It wasn't too long ago that I was taking my little girl to a Healthy Baby Program and a Mother Goose, so she could spend time with other little babies her age and so I could learn from nurses and other parents (actually, I was the only dad there) on how they are meeting the challenge of parenting. And you know what I saw? Every little baby is their own person who looks to their parents for protection, comfort, and provisions but otherwise, they want to learn at their own pace.
"What does this have to do with games?" you might ask. Well, this is what I take from it, games have been around for as long as recorded history (and I extrapolate from that probably even before recorded history), I guess that games come natural to human beings, because we like to try to apply rules to things. We don't learn to game from our parents, we are born already gamers. Give children more credit for their ability to deal with this crazy place called reality - there are few people as bluntly honest as a child about their view point.
Here are three things I think we as gaming parents should all give a shot:
1) Talk to your children about games and listen to what they have to say (listening well is a skill, work hard at it, it pays back big in the long haul)
2) Play games with your children - remember there are more games than just ones on a screen: board, card, outdoor, singing, etc.
3) Let your kid make a game that you play with them, follow the rules until it breaks, and then explain to them why the game breaks down and ask them to propose a solution to the game breaking down.
In conclusion, my humble opinion is that parents should play with their children - both sides have a lot to gain from the experience.
It wasn't too long ago that I was taking my little girl to a Healthy Baby Program and a Mother Goose, so she could spend time with other little babies her age and so I could learn from nurses and other parents (actually, I was the only dad there) on how they are meeting the challenge of parenting. And you know what I saw? Every little baby is their own person who looks to their parents for protection, comfort, and provisions but otherwise, they want to learn at their own pace.
"What does this have to do with games?" you might ask. Well, this is what I take from it, games have been around for as long as recorded history (and I extrapolate from that probably even before recorded history), I guess that games come natural to human beings, because we like to try to apply rules to things. We don't learn to game from our parents, we are born already gamers. Give children more credit for their ability to deal with this crazy place called reality - there are few people as bluntly honest as a child about their view point.
Here are three things I think we as gaming parents should all give a shot:
1) Talk to your children about games and listen to what they have to say (listening well is a skill, work hard at it, it pays back big in the long haul)
2) Play games with your children - remember there are more games than just ones on a screen: board, card, outdoor, singing, etc.
3) Let your kid make a game that you play with them, follow the rules until it breaks, and then explain to them why the game breaks down and ask them to propose a solution to the game breaking down.
In conclusion, my humble opinion is that parents should play with their children - both sides have a lot to gain from the experience.
As a slightly strange product of parenting, I would advise you to ensure you regulate your child's gameplay time as well- and ensure they enjoy a healthy and active life. I would also advise you to never let them join an internet forum or purchase a game developed by rockstar games until their sixteenth birthday.
But hey, I know nothing on the matter.
And see if you can get them to read 'Don Quixote' before their eighteenth birthday, do so. in fact, just make sure they do plenty of reading as well.
But hey, I know nothing on the matter.
And see if you can get them to read 'Don Quixote' before their eighteenth birthday, do so. in fact, just make sure they do plenty of reading as well.
Hehe, how bout a child gamer opinion here?
What if you would encourage your daughter to go out to play in the day, but in the evenings (Like after 18:00/6PM or so or something...), would enjoy some together time playing non-violent video games? And with your permission, she could play during the day with her friends if she felt like it. I know that worked when I was "little". It was great fun too. Ah... Memories... damn it. I want to play Super Mario Bros with my dad now...
What if you would encourage your daughter to go out to play in the day, but in the evenings (Like after 18:00/6PM or so or something...), would enjoy some together time playing non-violent video games? And with your permission, she could play during the day with her friends if she felt like it. I know that worked when I was "little". It was great fun too. Ah... Memories... damn it. I want to play Super Mario Bros with my dad now...
There's no need to be over-protective.
Also, if you're a gamer, you should know the ESRB is worthless and pointless.
17 to hear an "F-Bomb"? For shooting something in a game?
Also, if you're a gamer, you should know the ESRB is worthless and pointless.
17 to hear an "F-Bomb"? For shooting something in a game?
I have to disagree here (not picking holes in your opinion, just offering my own). As I said, I've played the GTA series pretty commonly since I was around 5 (granted, I havn't played GTA4 yet, as it's not out on PCFondant post=9.69074.649332 said:
), and it hasn't had any adverse effect on me (or any of my friends who also played it when they were a bit younger, nor has any other violent game. As long as a younger person knows that what they do in a game is completely different from real life.And I'm just curious about the forum thing. Why exactly do you think people shouldn't join them until they are sixteen. I'm just about sixteen myself actually, but have been a member of various internet forums since I was about twelve, and again, this has not had any adverse effect on me. I would even go so far as to say that forums have probably actually had a positive effect on me in general.
Haha! That my dream too.
Hehe, did you notice the "or something or so" spot? I meant that you could enjoy time together in the evenings, and she could play on the day if she wanted, but she should still go out, just to clear things up. Oh, and nevar let your children get used to late bedtime while playing games... It wont turn out good...
Save yourself the trouble of buying 50 systems because your kid wants to play Halo 3, MGS4, and Smash Brothers, only to realize later that PC gaming is awesome and want a "beter rig" to play DoW2 when it comes out.
I say no, from the financial standpoint.
I say no, from the financial standpoint.
First off, no child will ever "jog in the sun" for fun They'd play out in the sun sure, but jogging?
On-topic , of course you should let your kids play video games! They're fun, and way better than TV. If you're a gamer yourself, why not play games with your kid? Could be nice bonding really. I loved it when my dad played videogames with me ^^.
If you're worried about the whole social/health aspect of it all I can say is this. Kids go to school, they make friends there, and most kids generally enjoy and crave social experiences, so I highly doubt you'll have to force her to spend time with friends, but if you do, I guess you could always enroll her in some kind of play club, I remember my parents dumping me somewhere like that every summer. As for the whole healthy, getting-enough-exercise conundrum, there's plenty of alternatives to forcing your kid to play a sport after school (although if she develops an interest in one, all the better!) you could go swimming, or go to parks etc. once a week. Again, it's nice bonding!
OR You could get her a wii fit
And as for the violent videogames thing... in today's age I think it's unavoidable, be it through the playground, or some other source of information, she'll become aware of their existence and probably find a way to play them. I think the best course of action really is to just make sure your child understands the difference between pretend violence and the real thing. But, if I'm perfectly honest, I think most kids will know the difference themselves, I did. Also, if my little brother is anything to go by, a kid can be exposed to a fair bit of naughty language but know not to use it. My little brother is aware of the F-word but in situations of excitement will yell "flip" or "ffffff" instead
Sorry for the long post, and I hope I helped in some small way. I personally believe that, if done right, video games can be great for a kid, and as stated above, an excellent bonding tool.
They'd play out in the sun sure, but jogging? On-topic , of course you should let your kids play video games! They're fun, and way better than TV. If you're a gamer yourself, why not play games with your kid? Could be nice bonding really. I loved it when my dad played videogames with me ^^.
If you're worried about the whole social/health aspect of it all I can say is this. Kids go to school, they make friends there, and most kids generally enjoy and crave social experiences, so I highly doubt you'll have to force her to spend time with friends, but if you do, I guess you could always enroll her in some kind of play club, I remember my parents dumping me somewhere like that every summer
. As for the whole healthy, getting-enough-exercise conundrum, there's plenty of alternatives to forcing your kid to play a sport after school (although if she develops an interest in one, all the better!) you could go swimming, or go to parks etc. once a week. Again, it's nice bonding!OR You could get her a wii fit
And as for the violent videogames thing... in today's age I think it's unavoidable, be it through the playground, or some other source of information, she'll become aware of their existence and probably find a way to play them. I think the best course of action really is to just make sure your child understands the difference between pretend violence and the real thing. But, if I'm perfectly honest, I think most kids will know the difference themselves, I did. Also, if my little brother is anything to go by, a kid can be exposed to a fair bit of naughty language but know not to use it. My little brother is aware of the F-word but in situations of excitement will yell "flip" or "ffffff" instead
Sorry for the long post, and I hope I helped in some small way. I personally believe that, if done right, video games can be great for a kid, and as stated above, an excellent bonding tool.
Your kid will probably find games anyway, so there's no reason to deny it. And you'll probably want to know what your kid will be playing. It's not like gaming is inherently this great good or evil thing.
Should your children play games? Let them decide.
Should your children play games? Let them decide.
I'm going to preface my response by saying that I am 26, I've been playing video games ever since the Sega Master System, so bear that in mind based on my response (which may get long winded).
I think it was easier for someone my age to grow up with minimal parental supervision when it came to games simply because games weren't super realistic. Sure, I had games like choplifter, or my military flight sims, and later Wolfenstein 3D, but all in all, most games where you played as a person just weren't realistic enough to warrant needed parental supervision.
Side note: My father was in Vietnam, and from a very young age I have been exposed to guns, and was given a VERY stern lesson on what a gun is, how it should be used, and how it should not be used. This may have made an impact on my playing of violent games.
Anyway, back on track. Todays games are far more realistic in terms of interactivity, and in my humble opinion, you most certainly should be very aware of what your child is playing. This isn't to say that every time they want to play a game you need to be right there with them, but you should be fully aware of what games they own, and at least attempt to be aware of what games they may have played outside of the home.
Anything you ban them from playing at your house without a very thought out and logical reason for doing so, they will find a way to play. Telling your child, male or female, that they aren't allowed to play GTA4 or whatever just means that they will play it at a friends house when you aren't looking.
Probably the best advice I could offer you is this: Start renting games. Avoid buying games for your child, because I remember for me, as a child, there were very few games that held my interest for more than a week. Especially now that save files are no longer stored within the game itself, this shouldn't cause too much trouble, and you will probably save a lot of money in the long run. Additionally, if you want them playing PC games, download demos for the same reason.
Just make sure you know what they are playing, and that they are aware of the differences between video game reality and real reality.
EDIT:
Addendum - do NOT, under any circumstances, allow them to become a shut-in. I was limited to an hour of video games on school nights. I don't remember if I had limits on the weekends, but it might have been after my homework was done. (This was for elementary school).
I think it was easier for someone my age to grow up with minimal parental supervision when it came to games simply because games weren't super realistic. Sure, I had games like choplifter, or my military flight sims, and later Wolfenstein 3D, but all in all, most games where you played as a person just weren't realistic enough to warrant needed parental supervision.
Side note: My father was in Vietnam, and from a very young age I have been exposed to guns, and was given a VERY stern lesson on what a gun is, how it should be used, and how it should not be used. This may have made an impact on my playing of violent games.
Anyway, back on track. Todays games are far more realistic in terms of interactivity, and in my humble opinion, you most certainly should be very aware of what your child is playing. This isn't to say that every time they want to play a game you need to be right there with them, but you should be fully aware of what games they own, and at least attempt to be aware of what games they may have played outside of the home.
Anything you ban them from playing at your house without a very thought out and logical reason for doing so, they will find a way to play. Telling your child, male or female, that they aren't allowed to play GTA4 or whatever just means that they will play it at a friends house when you aren't looking.
Probably the best advice I could offer you is this: Start renting games. Avoid buying games for your child, because I remember for me, as a child, there were very few games that held my interest for more than a week. Especially now that save files are no longer stored within the game itself, this shouldn't cause too much trouble, and you will probably save a lot of money in the long run. Additionally, if you want them playing PC games, download demos for the same reason.
Just make sure you know what they are playing, and that they are aware of the differences between video game reality and real reality.
EDIT:
Addendum - do NOT, under any circumstances, allow them to become a shut-in. I was limited to an hour of video games on school nights. I don't remember if I had limits on the weekends, but it might have been after my homework was done. (This was for elementary school).
I have been gaming since I was 4. My father bought a Sega Genesis and we played Batman together. (lol) After the Playstation's release, we purchased one and played 007 and Siphon Filter. I was introduced to GTA:SA at age 9. I have never done anything illegal, and am a straight A student in school. I have many friends, many of them found through interest in video-games. I wouldn't be the same without video-games. I think they changed me for the better.