What is a good age to start playing video games? To stop?

[Witney]

I have a nephew who is 7, and he's just beginning to play video games. I was about that age when I started, but, even in retrospect, that seems a little early to lose one's self to hours of TV viewing. 8 I think should be the cutoff.

You may continue to play video games for the rest of your life, but it seems to me that, once you become a parent, they can no longer be of central interest to you (I'm guessing the vast bulk of people on a forum like this aren't parents). Otherwise... 32. That's the end for you.

 

[Witney]

Not that you'll forswear video games at age 32. I imagine, though, that's when you'd lose interest.

 

[ssgt splatter]

For me, the first videogame I remember playing and having a lot of fun at the same time was 007: Goldeneye on the N64. I've been gaming ever since and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon.

Also, I'm 21 and Goldeneye came out in the late 90s if I remember correctly...so I've been gaming since I was maybe seven.

 

[Jaccer]

I have played games for as long as I remember, even before I started school. I plan to introduce my children to video games around the age of five, but only the E rated games at first.

And even after you have a kid, you don't necessarily have to stop, but as OP said, it's not good to have them as your main attention at all times.

 

[purf]

Interesting question...

32? I'm overdue, then. Cannot say that I have lost interest, but one thing has certainly changed over time: my patience with games is wearing thin. Now, the starting part, especially in conjunction with "once you become a parent".... This is going to happen surprisingly soon, actually and up till now I have no freakin' clue how to handle this. But I somehow, sometime expect a shift towards the couch with a Playstation playing a role. (looking into the general direction of Little Big Planet, Noby Noby Boy and such. I can't hardly wait

 

[Mallefunction]

I started when I was about 5. I don't think it's wrong to introduce games to young children, but it should be limited (like TV and other forms of media) and not take away the focus throughout the day. I've seen kids who spend WAY too much time on games at an early stage and they cannot cope without them. It's just like kids who watch way too much TV when they're young. It'll mess them up if it's not regulated.

Also, the types of games should be limited. A 7 year old should not be playing Grand Theft Auto. (Not to say that they should be limited to kiddy games, but current generation games are just too realistic in their violence. I'd rather them play the original Mortal Kombat than any modern shooter)

There is no time to stop though :3 I think adults can enjoy games just as much as kids. It's like candy. You can SAY you hate candy, but odds are, there is going to be some type or brand out there that you do like.

 

[Xpwn3ntial]

Start: Birth

Stop: Death

 

[vvvmr]

I started playing when I was 4, games like Spyro and need for speed. on the Playstation 1. I don't think there's anything wrong with young kids playing games, as long as they take it in moderation and don't spend to much time playing (e.g. make sure they get time outside)

 

[Hiphophippo]

Actually, I am a parent. I'm 29 years old and have a beautiful daughter of just under 2 years old. She's a big fan of watching the Sam and Max games and can manage to get through nearly a level in some psn downloadable game called....soldner x I think it is. It's an R-Type kinda game I guess.

Is my personal playtime limited? Oh, certainly. At best I can squeeze in a little every night before bed or during her nap and I'm quite alright with that. I like to think of myself as a responsible father so I can't really commit to any real gaming while she's awake. Not that I want to much anyway since she's a blast to play with.

Assigning some sort of arbitrary number to anything is almost always pointless. Everyone is different. Just because someone is well into adulthood doesn't mean they have to switch hobbies. That's just absurd. Why would someone lose interest at 32 years of age? That's so silly. Will a switch in my head tick over in a couple years and I'll find myself not enjoying well crafted narratives and engrossing plots? Will I prefer golf all of a sudden?

Come on.

 

[XShrike]

Why do people make the assumption that if you enjoy something now, you won't in the future?

Yeah, when you have kids at first it is hard to find the time but, then they will want to play with you. Kids also do not eat all of your time.

 

[Griffstar]

Also, the types of games should be limited. A 7 year old should not be playing Grand Theft Auto. (Not to say that they should be limited to kiddy games, but current generation games are just too realistic in their violence.

I played the Original Halo and the GTA games when I was 4 and 5.

Problem?

 

[rokkolpo]

No-one can take gaming out of me, but pauses of years, I can see that happening.

 

[Grand_Arcana]

Start at 8. End whenever you feel like it (I'm 19 and I'm already losing interest.)

 

[Camaranth]

hmmm I'm fairly certain I was playing mario and duck hunt from about 3 or 4 so...

can't really judge what is a good age for introduction so long as it's controlled.

If I'm watching someones kid then I'll restrict my playing to things either they can play with me (rock band etc) or stuff that's ok for them to watch like spyro or crash bandicoot.

as for stopping....well whenever you lose interest in it, no-one is forcing you to play them and they certainly aren't a child's medium.

 

[Fahani]

As it's been said the time to start with videogames will largely depend on the child. As for a time to stop, if you lose interest that's a good time to stop. But I have talked to many parents who still play games just less frequently.

 

[Cobster]

I guess what ever age your parent/guardian really lets you start playing. I started when i was 5 i think, with the good old PSX. I remember when my dad bought me it, Good Times playing the Hercules Action Game.

I am now at university and can't really be stopping any time soon. There really shouldn't be a set age where you just stop but of course you shouldn't let gaming take priority over the more important stuff as you get older EG- Work, Being a Parent, School or whatever else.

 

[twistedmic]

A good age to stop playing video games is when your hands are to arthritic to hold the controller, your mind is to far gone to follow the story/action and your eyes have gotten to weak to see the screen.
And a good age to start playing video games is probably around seven or eight, as long as games are limited to E and E-10 ratings.

 

[Gxas]

Not that you'll forswear video games at age 32. I imagine, though, that's when you'd lose interest.

I'll never lose interest. I guarantee you that.

I plan to be playing games with my children until I die.