I played video games when I was younger and actually feel like I was for the better. Do you think it would be good for me to let my child play video games sometimes when he gets to be of age?

I played video games when I was younger and actually feel like I was for the better. Do you think it would be good for me to let my child play video games sometimes when he gets to be of age?

When you were younger? Hey, I still play videogames. There are lots of games out there geared toward young children. I think videogames are good for them. They actually help them with coordination. I'd say let him play as soon as he's old enough to hold the controller.

Wow, what a topic. First, I've got to say that not only did my son play video games and still does, but the whole family eventually started playing them. I've read all the pros and cons on this. I've even written articles on this. The one thing that I found to be the common denominator was how people were reacting to them.

There were a lot of games out there (and still are) that need to be walked around and carefully considered before you let your child start playing them. People were/are taking some of the games personally because of the violence and some of them didn't see any harm in them. That in itself is a double edged sword.

Let's look at why violent games are a danger to a child and what can be done with them? The first part of that question and the answer is a given. Violence is not an accepted part of out society. Is violence part of our human nature? Yes, but it is something that can be controlled. Do violent games contradict what we say and how we show our children that it's not a good thing to hurt someone? Absolutely. So, what can we as parents do about the violence in games? Simple, do not buy them. Can a child play a game elsewhere? You bet and there's no way a child isn't going to not want to see why Mom and Dad said no to a game.

The more violent games that are put on the black list only means one thing. The supply and demand goes up higher. So, who benefits from that? The gaming industry. Does the gaming rating help? Yes, and it gives the parent a heads up on the game and any parent, the on the ball parent, will know what to do after that.

The solution to this is really simpler than just not buying the game. Talk to your children about the game and the violence that is there. Remind them that the games are just a story. Tell them where you stand on the type of violence in the game and how you deal with it. Remind them how society, in real life, deals with violence. Ultimately, you have to let them make the decision on the game. They have to develop their moral values on their own.

Then again, you could always tell them it's educational games or nothing...lol

DCMerkle

Since I played video games as a kid I would say let your kid play. Just make sure they play games that are ok for them and that they understand it is just a game.

There are even educational games available for younger children, it's not just all for the entertainment value. I actually think videogames could be a good learning tool for children. As long as you steer clear of things with a teen or adult rating, then it should be fine.

Now a days, if a baby can sit up and hold a rattle, they can hold a controller. The games for babies are great for them. I wish they had VG's around when I was growing up.

seeker

Don't they make videogame systems especially for small children now? I'm not talking about Nintendo, I was thinking there was another system specifically for very young children. Anyone know what I'm talking about?

I think I know what you are talking about. It really isn't as popular as other video game systems, but it is still a video game system.

There's Leapster. It's kinda like a videogame for really little kids.

That's what it was called. I remember there were books that had something with a frog. Is it the same thing? Leapster and Frog sound similar.

My son is 3 and has PC games and we play spongebob on the ps2 together. I don't have a problem with it as long as he's not playing violent games or anything that will teach him bad behaviors.

You should limit the time playing computer games each day, you dont want to start bad habits. You could buy some picture books and read to him on a regualr basis. I think that PC games are great but not in big loads. Try keeping the number of hours under 5 per week.

He already has picture books and we read together every day. I would bet my son plays more than 5 hours per week.
I can see concern if he starts disengaging from life, or his activity level drops, or if it's replacing other things that he needs to develop, but for now very educational games and such, I'm not stringent like so many people think you just have to be to protect your kids from the evil tv and pc's. Right now he's playing with his cars. He likes to crash them in to each other. I'm not worried about that either.

Wow. I would never have let my children spend time on the computer or watching TV. It's just not healthy. Watching a lot of tv can cause them to not be as smart as they would have been.

Well there is a very two sided debate to the value, or lack thereof, of television to the younger generations. Some feel it's bad for them or that it should be strictly limited. Others feel that there are benefits to be had from it, like rapid language development.

I'm somewhere in the middle. My son has a computer, and I watch him on it, but he hardly spends his day vegging there. He has a dog that he spends far more time with, he bosses me around and we play board games and play outside, so I'm just not worried.

For sure everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and as long as we exercise those opinions with care and consideration for our children, I'm sure things will be alright.

I won't hesitate to put a nice strict limit on my sons computer or tv if I ever notice him disengaging from life or becoming unhealthy with the priveledge.

I also play video games when I was teen before. Since that video games before is not as high tech as today it would be better for our children to play video games because it would enhance their skills, thinking, psycomotor, and ability to decide what to do. I vote for video games for our children

Wow. I would never have let my children spend time on the computer or watching TV. It's just not healthy. Watching a lot of tv can cause them to not be as smart as they would have been.

You have to remember though, nowadays there are educational videogames out there. Just go look at Wal-Mart and check out some of the PC games. there's games for pre-schoolers, grade-schoolers...anything really.

Even with the Nintendo DS now - they've even now (this is factual) they have seniors playing games like Brain Age - Train Your Brain in Minutes A Day. There's Sudoku games too. There's all kinds of games that kids can play.