Parents, do you restrict the time your children spend playing video and online games?

Question

What concerns do you have about these games? There are plenty of criticisms about these games affecting the health and concentration of young people. Are there any positive aspects to this type of leisure activity?
Thank you for answeriing and helping with my research. Would you please include details of your age and the ages of your child/ children.

Answer 1

Well...I have already raised my kids, and now I am watching my kids raise theirs....so I do have an opinion.....

It is very important to monitor all areas of your child's life which includes playing video game and online games, the computer and internet, TV, Cable, movies, etc....all have an impact on the life of your child and can be very negative.

I have one daughter who has not put Cable in her home because of the problem of monitoring it...instead they have all kinds of family type videos, and DVD, rent them etc....and that way they know what they are watching. I have one grandson whose use of the computer, video games,etc. is closely monitored because he tends to be compulsive about them....so he is allowed a certain amount of time...but not so it takes over his life!

My grandchildren do not attend unacceptable movies...R rated, too violent, rude language, etc....and the same goes for the games they buy or play.

As a parent you are in charge of the development of your child. What character he will have, what language he uses, what manners, etc. he does ...all depend on what you teach him thru exposure and thru example. If you don't want a child who resorts to violence, don't expose him to violent games and movies.

There is no reason why they cannot enjoy leisure material...but expose them to the best of them...not the worst.
And also know what they are doing at the friends homes.

Answer 2

I am not actually a parent, but rather a 19 year old boy. This is my generation (and my younger siblings) and I would love to share my thoughts. All of my friends are obsessed with computer and video games, and even more so with online social networks such as facebook and myspace. They often spend 4-8 hours a day staring at a screen. I find that habits these tend to take all their time, and generally result in a competitive, or otherwise crabby attitude. Outdoor play, which I love thanks to my parents limits which I will mention in a second, is very limited if it exists at all. It's tough to avoid getting caught up in the action though when all of your friends are "professional" halo players, or are all into the latest facebook trend, and that is all that is discussed at school. When I was just a little younger I very much wanted to dump hours of my day into the nintendo. Fortunately my mom caught on quickly and limited me to a meager 15 minutes. This was enough for a game or two, and made one game last a long time before I was able to beat it, and thus want a new one. No, I wasn't the most wonderful or up to date player in town, but I had the time to find other things to do such as rollerblade, go bike riding, and get a job during the summer. My siblings are now 17, 15 and 9. They are all subject to the same rules, and all are active and healthy. I'm afraid that I haven't found too much good in even the little time I have played, although I have noticed the problems. I cannot say that the issues with concentration and short attention spans, as well as the "want it now" mentality of my generation are results of video games, I think that is more the fault of parents who don't know how to say no, and hate for their babies to be in want. Video games sure don't appear to help though.

Answer 3

Yes, I do have restrictions on video games and tv time.

If it is a school day all school work MUST be done prior to the games AND their choirs have to be done. Also, if they have been acting up that day their game time is took away from them or the time they play is reduced. It depends on what they did. I let them play up to a hour and then times up. All my kids are in after school activities such as hockey, ballett, tap and bowling so the time verries depending on what is going on that day.

I feel that if the games my kids are playing are teaching them (science,history,animals ect) it is only helping them learn.

I am 27 and the ages of my kids are 4 year old twins, a 6 year old and a 7 year old.

At this age I do not have any concern with the games they play on the game system or computer. The only web sites they go is nickjr, nick.com and neopets all of which i have never seen a sex pop up so I have no fear of them seeing anything they shouldn't.

Answer 4

We restrict our 9 year old to 1 hour after school during the week of either computer or video games. I kinda think it's important for him to wind down after school and don't make him get started on homework right away . After that, he can do pretty much anything besides something that involves a screen. On the weekends, we give him more time but are careful to not let him play too long. However, if his grades slip this next report card, we are taking away the weekday time and he can only play for a restricted time on the weekends.

Answer 5

I am 27 & not a parent. I live outside of USA but have similar problems at my place. My parents limited my gaming times to only on weekends & school breaks when I was in elementary (9-12). The time when PC games were craps & video games are stiffy plays. And, I must be grateful for that. I stop playing video games when I was 13, and start to use computer at 15.

Now, I am limiting my 23 years old sister from using my computer for chatting, myspace, friendster, etc. She always use the computer till midnight.

Kids who always plays in front of the monitors tend to not having social live and weak mind & body. I say this because when I am in high schooll I spent 6+ hours in front of the computer. Not necessarily playing games. Instead, for learning the computer. Now, I have a weak body & really addicted to computer. Can't work or play without computers.

Answer 6

I am a grandma of 62 but both of my grown children with kids of their own definately restrict the games and TV. They are very careful what they watch and what kind of games they play and they definately give time limits. Both sets of parents feel that playing sports, being with family and friends, reading, playing good old fashioned board games or cards, etc. are better for their children (15, 12, 8, 7, and two almost a year).

Answer 7

Yes I do. My kids are ages 14, 12, 10 and 8. No video games during the school week..Monday through Thursday. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays or school break they can only play from 1pm to 5 pm. when they are on school break there is no game playing on Wednesday or Saturdays. I have to put rules down otherwise they will be infront of the games...they also get tired, cranky and start arguing with each other if they play for too long.

Answer 8

I don't really restrict it except for my teen daughter I tell her to be off the computer by 11pm. She likes doing Myspace chatting, etc, but not really computer games. I am concerned about who she lets into her secret world there, but since I am a member, I can always look to what she has posted, who has posted, etc. My daughter and I are more like best friends in that way.....I trust her, she trusts me.....I hope anyways.

On the other side of that, my son doesn't really play video games, either with his still in the box playstation that he got for Christmas or on the computer. I am glad he likes doing more boy stuff than sitting at home and being on the couch. I still want him inside when it gets dark out though, and they both have homework to do :-)

Answer 9

oh my gosh yes we do have to restrict the amount of playing time with our kids on computers or play stations..there are so many more important things a person can and does need to do with them selves in order to grow up into a young responsible adult ..

Answer 10

lol remember Atari? my kids had one. but i wouldn't let them play for hours and hours. they know what an imagination is. so don't my grandchildren. i have found that some kids who play a lot of games, dont have much of an imagination at all. if its not programmed for them they dont know what to do with themselves.