Would you let YOUR kids play?

[Captain Pancake]

anything within 4-5 years of their actual age. like they can play sixteens when they're twelve, for example. But I would keep a tighter hold on it until they were mature enough to handle more extreme videogames.

No dead or alive though! I won't fall for the "But dad, it's got authentic fighting mechanics" trick that I used myself...

 

[coolredmk]

I'd let my kids play whatever the hell they want! Video games, no matter what the genre or theme, make excellent learning tools. When I was five, my dad let me play Return to Castle Wolfenstein GOTY edition, and because of that one game, I have a great interest in the Germanic language and culture, my hand-eye coordination, and I know how to quickly reload a WWII era Luger, should the need ever arise. Plus, I've gained an impeccable vocabulary, healthy and active imagination, and a great social life. All of which, I got from playing, analyzing, and thoroughly enjoying each game I played.

However, I'd have to do some reassurances. First, I'd have to make sure the game didn't have excessive sexuality, language, or racist themes. Second, I'd have to talk to them before they play their first game, and make sure they realize none of what they see is real (Unless the game is by History Channel). Third, I'd want them to know that swearing doesn't make someone mature, it just makes them sound stupid.

 

[himemiya1650]

Ya, sure I'd let them play it, if I feel they were mature enough, if they try to chainsaw each other, then i'd probably reconsider.

 

[SavingPrincess]

(If you're wondering, I wouldn't want my kids to play Mass Effect when they're very young because I don't want to have to explain why shephard is 'wrestling' with the ladies.)

I still don't understand this mentality. I have to ask you directly.

First, are you a parent?

Second, why is learning about violence, and your children virtually shooting each other and others (ala Halo) okay, when learning about two characters who have feelings for each other making love is not?

I personally would much rather let my children let's say 8-12 play games with romantic themes (even if there is a little side-cleavage) than violent ones. I can explain to my child why people have sex, I cannot explain to them why they shoot at each other. When my kid grows up, I want them to have sex with someone, I don't want them to shoot someone. It all seems really logical to me.

I did a lengthy post [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/9.178178] about this subject that I encourage you to read and respond to.

 

[rokkolpo]

i'd make sure their social life is more important to them.

other then that,sure they can play T rated games.

 

[JEBWrench]

(If you're wondering, I wouldn't want my kids to play Mass Effect when they're very young because I don't want to have to explain why shephard is 'wrestling' with the ladies.)

I still don't understand this mentality. I have to ask you directly.

First, are you a parent?

Second, why is learning about violence, and your children virtually shooting each other and others (ala Halo) okay, when learning about two characters who have feelings for each other making love is not?

I personally would much rather let my children let's say 8-12 play games with romantic themes (even if there is a little side-cleavage) than violent ones. I can explain to my child why people have sex, I cannot explain to them why they shoot at each other. When my kid grows up, I want them to have sex with someone, I don't want them to shoot someone. It all seems really logical to me.

I did a lengthy post [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/9.178178] about this subject that I encourage you to read and respond to.

Depends on the maturity of the children. If they're capable of understanding the romantic themes, then yes. If not, then it wouldn't be advisable. Children who are exposed to things like that without the understanding can have social issues.

(My wife was a preschool teacher. There can be very serious behavioural ramifications.)

 

[Jenova65]

(If you're wondering, I wouldn't want my kids to play Mass Effect when they're very young because I don't want to have to explain why shephard is 'wrestling' with the ladies.)

I still don't understand this mentality. I have to ask you directly.

First, are you a parent?

Second, why is learning about violence, and your children virtually shooting each other and others (ala Halo) okay, when learning about two characters who have feelings for each other making love is not?

I personally would much rather let my children let's say 8-12 play games with romantic themes (even if there is a little side-cleavage) than violent ones. I can explain to my child why people have sex, I cannot explain to them why they shoot at each other. When my kid grows up, I want them to have sex with someone, I don't want them to shoot someone. It all seems really logical to me.

I did a lengthy post [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/9.178178] about this subject that I encourage you to read and respond to.

I agree totally, romance and relationships is a good thing for them to see/experience in games it throws the violence in games into sharp relief. In the same way that children who witness their parents holding hands might go 'yuk', but it is moulding their attitudes for their own future relationships in a good and healthy way.

 

[Good morning blues]

I'd do what my parents did: place time limits on their gaming time, and restrict their gaming habits to age-appropriate material. I feel like I was a bit too young for the first couple of M-rated games that I played, but I got them through my own machinations, not through my folks.

 

[Jenova65]

(If you're wondering, I wouldn't want my kids to play Mass Effect when they're very young because I don't want to have to explain why shephard is 'wrestling' with the ladies.)

I still don't understand this mentality. I have to ask you directly.

First, are you a parent?

Second, why is learning about violence, and your children virtually shooting each other and others (ala Halo) okay, when learning about two characters who have feelings for each other making love is not?

I personally would much rather let my children let's say 8-12 play games with romantic themes (even if there is a little side-cleavage) than violent ones. I can explain to my child why people have sex, I cannot explain to them why they shoot at each other. When my kid grows up, I want them to have sex with someone, I don't want them to shoot someone. It all seems really logical to me.

I did a lengthy post [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/9.178178] about this subject that I encourage you to read and respond to.

Depends on the maturity of the children. If they're capable of understanding the romantic themes, then yes. If not, then it wouldn't be advisable. Children who are exposed to things like that without the understanding can have social issues.

(My wife was a preschool teacher. There can be very serious behavioural ramifications.)

Goodness I'm sure that SavingPrincess wasn't talking about children that young, they shouldn't be playing violent or romantic themes, surely? She did even say 8-12 years, not pre school!

 

[JEBWrench]

Goodness I'm sure that SavingPrincess wasn't talking about children that young, they shouldn't be playing violent or romantic themes, surely? She did even say 8-12 years, not pre school!

The person she was referring to said "very young".

And even at 8-12 years, maturity can vary quite drastically.

 

[Serge A. Storms]

Fuck yeah, the media is going to desensitize children to violence no matter what I tell my kids, and the online communities are only going to get worse, I'd rather introduce my kids to virtual violence and online weirdos before they find out for themselves and don't feel like they can talk to me about their experiences.

EDIT: All the sexy Mass Effect action is also cool, they're going to learn about the birds and the bees eventually and I want them learning from me instead of some stupid fucking kid that thinks a girl can't get pregnant if she has sex in a hot tub.

 

[Urgh76]

probably not but it depends on the sort of "T" game because sometimes the ESRB just goes overboard with the T for teen thing

 

[MasTerHacK]

I would let them play anything they want. If they get scared, I'd say:"Warned you!". They should be able to choose what they want to play. Except for Silent Hill. Even I find that creepy.

 

[Cain_Zeros]

It depends on the game, and it depends on what the kid's like. Between 8 and 10 is a perfectly fine age to start playing T games, because there's nothing all that bad in them. 13 or 14 for SOME M rated games (and no online play, because even on PC there are people that I wouldn't want them exposed to). Once they turn 17 and can buy/rent M rated games on their own, they can play whatever the fuck they want.

 

[Jenova65]

Goodness I'm sure that SavingPrincess wasn't talking about children that young, they shouldn't be playing violent or romantic themes, surely? She did even say 8-12 years, not pre school!

The person she was referring to said "very young".

And even at 8-12 years, maturity can vary quite drastically.

I honestly think you should re read
''I personally would much rather let my children let's say 8-12 play games with romantic themes (even if there is a little side-cleavage) than violent ones.''
And I think the comment was more about society accepting violence more easily than sex and love. That is how I read it anyway.

 

[SavingPrincess]

Spoiler

(If you're wondering, I wouldn't want my kids to play Mass Effect when they're very young because I don't want to have to explain why shephard is 'wrestling' with the ladies.)

I still don't understand this mentality. I have to ask you directly.

First, are you a parent?

Second, why is learning about violence, and your children virtually shooting each other and others (ala Halo) okay, when learning about two characters who have feelings for each other making love is not?

I personally would much rather let my children let's say 8-12 play games with romantic themes (even if there is a little side-cleavage) than violent ones. I can explain to my child why people have sex, I cannot explain to them why they shoot at each other. When my kid grows up, I want them to have sex with someone, I don't want them to shoot someone. It all seems really logical to me.

I did a lengthy post [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/9.178178] about this subject that I encourage you to read and respond to.

Depends on the maturity of the children. If they're capable of understanding the romantic themes, then yes. If not, then it wouldn't be advisable. Children who are exposed to things like that without the understanding can have social issues.

(My wife was a preschool teacher. There can be very serious behavioural ramifications.)

Goodness I'm sure that SavingPrincess wasn't talking about children that young, they shouldn't be playing violent or romantic themes, surely? She did even say 8-12 years, not pre school!

Oh definitely not! I (it's "he" by the way) don't think that preschoolers should be playing anything like that! I was really referring to the age group that can grasp the concept of a narrative. It would also be an opportunity to sit down and discuss it with the child, as in what they thought the story was about, why they thought things that took place happened. I would view movies the same way. All opportunities for conversations; my mother and I talked constantly about "why this was this" or "why that was that." It not only formed my ability to discuss, debate and question logically, but also solidified my relationship with her and allowed me to discuss even more complex issues growing up through the teenage years without fear of what would come of it.

 

[Pendragon9]

I'd let them play Duke Nukem Forever first, since like the game, my kids don't exist either.

But seriously, i'd let them play games, as long as i was there to make sure they didn't take them too seriously.