My 2yr old daughter enjoys watching my husband play Mortal Kombat, she cheers for him and even knows names of some of the characters, she knows it's fake but keep in mind this is the game you can watch players rip eachothers limbs off!! She also enjoys watching CSI and Dr. 90210 she's really smart and wants to know whats going on. So I was just wondering your alls opinion would you allow it?
2006-10-26 08:11:18 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Don't you think there is enough real violence in the world that you should refrain from exposing her to fictional or animated versions or mayhem? No matter how into the game or your shows that she may appear to be, your daughter does not have the cognitive abilities to really under the difference between the two. If you want to interact with her on the computer or via a TV show find things that are rated Y or G. She'll have plenty of time to learn about some of the horrors of real life, why not preserve her innocence as long as you can?
2006-10-26 09:05:42 · answer #1 · answered by TwinsDad 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i would say no. the reason is she will not want to play the computer games that are targeted for 3 - 8 year olds and provide lots of learning. she'll want this mortal kombat level stuff.
also, she can't know it's fake, because two year olds cannot distinguish reality from fantasy.
also, extensive research has been done that shows violent tv and violent video games cause children to be more aggressive and cause them to be more sociopathic - that is, they don't care much when other people are injured.
don't say she does now because this is over time.
i would'nt allow it. i know it's tempting to help the family have easy time together, but really, would you let her watch porn with him? this is probably as bad if not worse, because of the impact on aggressiveness and empathy.
in addtion, children shouldn't be watching any tv at all at her age because the very rapid shifting of images on the screen destroys the attention span as it's developing. try to count the number of seconds any given shot is shown in these shows - you won't get higher than 2 most times. also, tv produces in kids a brain state akin to sleeping - while they're awake.
what you want to do during these times is read to her, make crafts with her, take walks, talk talk talk so she learns a good vocabulary - and learns useful things rather than computer game and tv trivia. what a thing to fill her brain with!
2006-10-26 08:21:54 · answer #2 · answered by cassandra 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No I wouldn't. Watching murders or fights to the death is not (IMHO) healthy entertainment for a child of this age.
Kids that age can tell you they know what is real and what is fake, but their brains (on a purely chemical level) can react as if it is real. Their hearts pump and the "fight or flight" instinct can kick in because of what their eyes see, no matter how much they say they know it is not real.
Does your heart pound watching a scary movie you know isn't real???
How many 2 year olds can tell what is real or not. How many think Big Bird or Elmo or Dora are real??? Saying they know it is fake could be just lip service to the grown up.
She may not "get" what she is seeing yet and it may begin to bother her more as she gets older. Plus, watching all that violence will desensitize her to violence and the suffering of others.
Ask yourself: Do you think a toddler should be entertained and have fun watching someone rip another person's arms and legs off?
Here's another way to draw a line on this question: if the kid still believes in Santa, they shouldn't be watching torture or murder.
Best of luck with your decision.
2006-10-26 08:31:31 · answer #3 · answered by bookmom 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how she takes it. If she's going to start immitating what she sees, especially on others. Even if she is smart, she should be watching some shows more her age. Maybe not preschool age, but there are some really good shows out there for those kids who are still learning but don't want to watch the preschooler shows. My older brother loves to play those violent, gory video games and my little 4-year old brother liks to immitate what he sees on there. Sometimes, it's only little boys who want to imitate that stuff. But still, I think the game might be a little too gory for her especially at this age. She'll learn enough gory stuff in middle school. Keep her mind innocent for the time being.
2006-10-26 08:22:08 · answer #4 · answered by jessi.swimchick 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure about the video games. I like to play games like Resident Evil and Obscure...pretty much anything with zombies and such :-) I would never let my 4 year old watch me play them. I know you think that she knows that it's fake....but she really doesn't have that concept yet. It won't harm her mentally...but take it from me, it could end up keeping you both up at night because of nightmares. I would ask my hubby to wait until she's in bed before he plays. Whatever you decide, I'm sure she'll be fine, just remember that she's still small and really doesn't understand the difference between real and fake yet...especially when it comes to things on TV. Good luck!
2006-10-26 08:16:46 · answer #5 · answered by Justinsmom 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is an option on Mortal Kombat that turns the blood off,
making it less gory
2006-10-26 08:13:51 · answer #6 · answered by Bill Brasky 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Heck No.
A dog learns what it is taught.
Your kid doesn't have a brain to know right from wrong. if you think she'll learn the difference after years of garbage foundation , your wrong. save some money for a good attorney.
Tell your gamer husbum - get second job- so you and family can be come financial debt free, unless he gets paid to play games.
2006-10-26 08:25:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Will. My son (just turned 4) wants a pet dinosaur, but I don't let him have one. That would endanger him, and of course, they don't exist any more. I don't let my son watch my husband play Halo even. It just isn't something they need to see and be exposed to at such a young age. Eventually they will be exposed to such things at school or out in the mall, but you don't have to expedite it at home. I just think, for me personally, I want my child to stay as innocent and pure as long as possible. :)
Good luck.
2006-10-26 08:28:05 · answer #8 · answered by the_proms 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would be careful, kids really pick up things fast and although they seem to handle it find we really don't know the psychological effects that it has. It may numb her to violence because of the over stimulation. I am not a strict parent and I do not believe in censorship but I do believe in being careful what you expose your children too because toxins can come in all kinds of forms.
2006-10-26 08:21:31 · answer #9 · answered by MaryAnn 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd let my 2 year old play Mortal Kombat if she could! It's an awesome game. I grew up playing it.
2006-10-26 08:30:24 · answer #10 · answered by dr_imzadi 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋