How do parents really feel about online video games?

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  Posted by The Jacob`s Wed May 28, 2008 8:18am PDT

  Hi there,

  my son got a Nintendo Game Cube for his 6. birthday. He always had to ask if he can play. He was not alowed to play daily, more like a bad weather entertainment.

  Now he is 8 and my daughter 6 and they got a Wii, they want to play everyday, but we dont let them.

  The game is in our livingroom,so they always have to ask if they can play. I think the Wii is not too bad, because the sport games make you actualy move your body, instead of just moving your thumb on the controlpad of the game cube.

  I only let them play games that are for their age. And I dont think I would ever tollerate bloody shooting games.

  As long as my kids also play outside with their friends and read books I dont have a problem with videogames.

  I dont let them go online by themselfs because it is too easy to get to a site you dont want them to get to.

  Katrin in Germany

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• 
  Posted by The Jacob`s Wed May 28, 2008 8:18am PDT

  Hi there,

  my son got a Nintendo Game Cube for his 6. birthday. He always had to ask if he can play. He was not alowed to play daily, more like a bad weather entertainment.

  Now he is 8 and my daughter 6 and they got a Wii, they want to play everyday, but we dont let them.

  The game is in our livingroom,so they always have to ask if they can play. I think the Wii is not too bad, because the sport games make you actualy move your body, instead of just moving your thumb on the controlpad of the game cube.

  I only let them play games that are for their age. And I dont think I would ever tollerate bloody shooting games.

  As long as my kids also play outside with their friends and read books I dont have a problem with videogames.

  I dont let them go online by themselfs because it is too easy to get to a site you dont want them to get to.

  Katrin in Germany

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• 
  Posted by MA Wed May 28, 2008 12:49pm PDT

  Just like everything, there needs to be moderation in ALL things, even video games! You wouldn't let your child munch on chocolate for hours at a time, so why should children be allowed to play video games for hours at a time? My children have to "purchase" their video game time. By "purchase" I mean the fake money they earn from doing their chores. 30 minutes max. per day.

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• 
  Posted by MA Wed May 28, 2008 1:30pm PDT

  My 5 year old started playing online at Nick Jr when he 2 1/2ish sitting on my lap. The games were cute and he learned a lot...but about a year ago he really outgrew it. He is five now and we allow him approximately one and a half hours of combined TV/Video game time per day. We use TV/Video game time is as something that is a privilege and it is the first thing he loses (in 30 minute chunks) should he start misbehaving. At our home we have a wii and a playstation 2, we make sure all the games in the house are kid friendly and games that we can either play together (2 player) or we make sure that we get a good feeling for the game he is playing through watching him play it for a while. His and our fav. games "lego Star Wars". He loves Star Wars and I love the way the game is true to form and fun to play and yet the violence ends in legos falling apart not bodies, wii sports - our family favorite is the bowling, and we also love our new wii fit...although some of the moves are a bit advanced for a five year old he can best me in some of the balance games!

  I think it is important for everyone out there to remember that most anything in moderation is good. It is important to me to help our children learn to set good limits and not allowing video games at all will not do that.

  But that is just me and how I do things in my own home :)

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  Posted by Besito1 Thu May 29, 2008 8:06am PDT

  I refused to let my kids have anything but the Wii because it gets them moving. We kust bought the Wii Fit to go with it and that thing is amazing. My oldest daughter is slender but out of shape and she is already improving! See my blog for more info on the Wii!

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  Posted by jengib Fri May 30, 2008 10:05am PDT

  My 5 kids ages 6 - 13 have Nintendo Game Cube and each have a Nintendo DS (for long car rides). When buying games be sure to pay attention to the ratings. We are careful to buy only games with rating E for Everyone as they do not have violent or questionable content and are appropriate for kids of all ages. Also, we allow game playing to be limited and played as a privilege in place of watching TV. I also agree that certain games offer opportunities for kids to practice problem solving, logic and use of fine motor and spatial skills.

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  Posted by JBH Fri May 30, 2008 11:57am PDT

  The wii pwns. I weigh 400 pounds and love it...and deep fried pizza.

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  Posted by Bethie Fri May 30, 2008 7:37pm PDT

  I think it is funny that everybody is upset about video games NOW. Most current parents also grew up with video games and it was a huge issue when I was a child (which was more than 20 years ago). We had an Atari, and my best friend had an Odyssey. I remember going to the arcade for hours and playing. This is not a new issue. Playing video games or playing on the computer can be educational and helpful or it can be abused and be detrimental. It is always up to the parent to establish rules and guidelines.

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  Posted by Danarchist Mon Jun 9, 2008 10:50am PDT

  I would much rather have my kids playing games these days than watching television. At least with games they use there minds and are developing skills that they can use in future careers. I started playing games when I was around 11 (many, many years ago) with the old texas instruments system. I know work as a programmer and make a fairly decent living doing what I enjoy. Unlike most fathers I don't want my boys turning out to be jocks. The big shot quarterback of my high school team now pumps my gas in the morning.

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  Posted by Danarchist Mon Jun 9, 2008 10:51am PDT

  .....and I am very dependent on spell check now hehe

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