Do you let your children play video games?

Question

If so, what kind and how old are they?

Answer 1

Yes. She plays all of the Final Fantasy games, the Sims, GTA (Vice City, San Andreas, Liberty City), True Crime: Streets of L.A., Finding Nemo, Spongebob, Turok, Star Wars Battlefront, Alien Hominid, Lord of the Rings, Q-Bert, Pac Man, Super Mario Bros., and a host of other games. She also rides her bike and plays outside with her friends every day, so she's not one of those children sitting at home getting fat while playing video games.

She's 8 years old, but we have always explained things about the world and people to her, so she understands that these are just games and that some of the actions portrayed in these games are violent and should not be acted on in real life. I made the decision to not hide a lot of things from her because we live in a crazy world and she needs to be prepared for it. It wouldn't be fair for me to make her think the world is a perfect place with perfect people, because it's not. Besides, the things contained in some of these video games are no different from what she and other children see on the news or in their own neighborhoods.

Answer 2

If i had children, i wouldn't let them play vidoe games a the age of 3-at least 10. that's the age they're brains and they're bodies are developing the most, and letting them play video games, it would sort of destroy their imagination. Have them play outside with their friends, or let them go over to their friends house, Just try not to have them watch TV as much or play video games. If it's a rainy day, play board games with them or something like that.

But then again, i'm only 13, so i've got no kids.

Answer 3

My oldest is playing right now ..he's 10, and I'm starting to worry that he's playing too much! He's playing Age of Empires, a war strategy game. it's not gruesome,but it has as its goal the destruction of life, unfortunately. It has some virtues...teaches history, planning, spatial strategy etc. I prefer games like Zoo Tycoon, which entails building zoos and trying to keep the animals fed and happy and patrons pleased.
He and my 6 year old also play those Blaster games, math and reading, and had since maybe 4 or even older 3.
I think educational video games can be very useful for even younger kids.

Answer 4

My son is only 2 so not ready for them yet. Some games are actually good for hand/eye coordination, especially ones with planes. That's why a lot of pilots in the militarty are so good. I would not let my son play violent games. They also have some games, like football video games that have a mat that they stand on and they do the football moves, so they are not just sitting.

Answer 5

I have a step-son that plays video games all the time! It drives me nuts - once in a while is okay, but he'll do it all day long. He is nine years old, we don't have full custody of him, and he gets to choose where he spends his time. Well if we never let him play video games, he'll never want to come over to our house. So, he gets to bring his PlayStation over once a week and play or if it's raining or too cold to go outside. My children will be allowed to play video games, however I will not purchase any of the equipment.

Answer 6

Video games are not bad per se, but they are forms of entertainment that can get out of hand pretty easily. The key is, at least to me, to keep a balance of quality entertainment, appropiateness and discipline. The Brain Age games for DS are pure genius, and they are the most appropiate kind of games you could ever find for kids anywhere. Also, classical games from Nintendo like Super Mario, Zelda or even the Final Fantasy series are also very good for them.

P.D.: I don't have children, but I'm pretty sure I understand the way they think.

Answer 7

I don't believe in video games for kids. Kids get brainwashed too easily! Someone had given my son a Sega Genesis machine when he was 8 years old, and I got royally upset with the giver! But, I let him keep it, but under extreme control. Now that he is 18, keeps telling me that I can't tell him what to do anymore, and he pays for his own electronics, he seems to own just about every machine there is, with his sights on the Xbox 360. When he gets upset about something, in conversation, his solution seems to be kill, slap, shoot, beat up, run 'em down, etc etc. I hope that he does not turn out to be like the way he talks...

Answer 8

In our house only educational and child friendly games are allowed. We do not own any gaming system though just the leapsters. My son at his dad's house has a psp and x box 360. I am against video game use in kids. it deters them from using their creativity and puts the wrong ideas in their heads. when my son comes from his dads house after a few days of games he is more violent and hyper renacting games he has played.(most of these are not age appropriate for someone who is 6 years old. If you feel the need for video games go the education route. they entertain in a pinch and teach them new things. otherwise I say no way!

Answer 9

I let mine play in moderation. They're 10 and 8. They get one hour a day if their chores and homework are done. I won't buy them anything too violent, no Grand Theft Auto or anything like that. But I don't just stick to the kiddie games either. A happy medium is okay.

Answer 10

my mom's friend let her son, 6 years old, play video games which my mom and i think not good. it's too young for a boy to play video games instead of exercising and playing outside.