Runescape?? should i stop my 11yr old playing it??

Question

When he's been playing it, he becomes very disruptive and abusive, even violent when asked to come off the game and starts freaking out saying that he has to complete tasks before his character gets killed or someone takes his character's identity. It's like he is obsessed, almost begging to be allowed to play the game. Whilst on it and immediately afterwards his behaviour in general deteriorates rapidly to the point where if you talk to him, purely asking questions etc, his responses and reactions are totally disproportionate to the situation as if he's been severely disciplined just by speaking to him, then he becomes defensive, hurling abuse at any and everyone coupled with completely crazy behaviour bordering on violent.
I don't want to prevent him from using the PC as it has its place for general 'edutainment' - educational games for kids, but this, I'm not sure is appropriate or even healthy for my son.

Thanks for all the answers, lots of useful information there. He used to be on the PC more, we limited him as we thought it was better for him if we did and only allowed him on for a couple of hours a day on average but not everyday. He found a new playmate recently, new boy moved in nxt door. And they play out together most days, but it is specificaly with regard to when he plays that game that his behaviour is noticably disruptive etc. So far, I haven't voiced an opinion to him either way what I think of the game, I jst noticed his change of behaviour when he played it and wanted to ask others opinion before I decide what's best for him.

Answer 1

Runescape is no harm to anyone playing it because after a while the fun simply fades away. In the end it's just crappy and your son WILL think so eventually.

Let me just say though that telling him to come off the game isn't going to help because it's counter productive. It's like getting interrupted in the middle of a life changing business meeting to your son so it is best not to make out that the game is evil because you will just make him angry at you for thinking that. You just gotta let him play for the time being and not be positive about it but DON'T be negative about it, because I know what it feels like to love playing a game then have a parent breathing down your neck about it all the time. It just makes you want to play it all the more to get back at your parents for saying the game is bad.

Answer 2

OMG!! Soooo many people responding to a Runescape question! LMAO! Listen. I am a 31 y/o guy. I play Runescape. I love RS! I and a couple of my buddies play online together several nights a week. It is addicting, and i know of some ppl who play it up to 8 hours per day or more. 60-90 minutes per day should be plenty of time for your son to do what he needs to do in the game. Runescape has many more pro's than cons. It teaches kids about long term goals... you can play this game for years and not ever do everything there is to do. It teaches them how to have patience. There are a lot of things in this game that are boring to do, but the rewards for doing them are worth the work. It teaches them how to follow rules, and how to get along with others. About sexual predators: it does not matter what your kids do online, they are open to this kind of deception. If you want to truely protect your son from sexual predators, lock him in a closet. Runescape is kind of intense. It is mainly because of all the work and effort you put into your character. You don't want to see all your hard work get wasted. After all when you have worked for something (even in a game) it gives a sense of satisfaction, and the threat of its loss WILL upset you. My advice is to sit down and talk to your son about it. try to let him understand that you respect his RS time, but at the same time you think it might be unhealthy for him to be spending 3, 4, or 5 hours a day playing it (since it is). Below is a link to the OFFICIAL Runescape Parents Guide, and a wikipedia article about Runescape, of interest to you would be the part at the bottom about a study done by Brunel University about RS.

Answer 3

Runescape is very addictive to some kids. You should talk to him about how he acts when you ask him to get off the computer and warn him that if he continues to act the way he does that he won't be allowed back on it until he learns his lesson. Also, see if he can find a hobby. Especially with a friend. The friend wouldn't want to watch your kid just play the game, and would probably get him away from the computer.

Answer 4

with all due respect. I don't think the computer is the culprit. I strongly suggest you set guide lines for behavior. you know consequences for his actions. Maybe locking him out of the computer when he acts up is good. remember thought he is 11 and puberty is rough an the kido's mind. He should be encouraged to interact with others his age and less on the computer. But I still encourage computer use. even though he's playing games, he can learn alot about computers by doing so.

I'd say he's ok and its just a phase. Just be straight forward with him and the way he acts, keep it stern and calm

Answer 5

um..to be honest..do you even need to ask? my nephew played it and when i asked him if he wanted to play outside he threw a razor sharp knife at me and scraping my elbow and scarring me. yeah if you dont want your kid to do that and be able to use the computer. block the site and try to get himor her into diferent things that he/she likes. then later unblock the site and see if he still plays the game. just keep on doing this until he finds something he likes that wont corrupt his life in a horribly addicting way. (and god please say you didnt make a him a member of runescape because then the game is like crack)

Answer 6

I would advise that you limit his playing time, decreasing it bit by bit.

However, if his behavior becomes worse, then it is time to get him to stop. RuneScape is a fun game to play, but we do not want his life to be ruined as a result.

Answer 7

Yes, RuneScape has no advantages besides entertainment (for some). He will also probably end up being made fun of in middle school

Answer 8

He under age to play Runescape??

View Terms and Conditions on the site it says this.

"A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT PRETEENS AND USERS UNDER 18
If you are under 13 years old, you must not create an account. We don't knowingly permit anyone under 13 to use this website."

Answer 9

you should not let him play runescape because its supposed to be for ages 13 or older.just tell him that he could only play an hour every 3 days or your gonna unplug the computer.

Answer 10

Runescape is appropriate but you need to discipline your son for disrespecting you. He will then see that you approve of the game but don't approve of his behavior.