Just looking for opinions on buying either an x box or other gaming machine for young children. I have read that some children have developed gaming addiction which results in them spending hours on these machines, night after night, full weekends, Christmas holidays to the exclusion of all other activities including mealtimes, conversations with family members, hobbies etc. I have spoken to parents who won't buy them, others who restrict access with strict time limitations and others who say well at least they know where their kids are and that they they know the passwords etc. Just wondering what people's thoughts on here are. My instinct is to avoid them at all costs in the first place. I wouldn't dream of leaving my child at an amusement arcade in the evenings or weekends playing video games so just because it's under my roof in an upstairs bedroom doesn't make me feel anymore comfortable about it.
Opinions on gaming and children
- Thread starter Susie2017
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Some of the games can be quite addictive... I think you do need to set time limits. I say that as someone who has forgotten to eat cos of games rather than as a parent!
Another thing I would be worried about is if they are playing online, will they only be playing with school friends etc or can some random guy start talking to them in game.
Another thing that has changed since my gaming day is in the old days you bought a game, it was relatively expensive but that was the extent of your outlay no matter how many times or how long you played it for. Now with online gaming the players are encouraged to stump up more credit so they have more players \ options in game, so it's like an arcade in that respect - constant revenue outlay.
If they are into online gaming you might need to look at your broadband package also, gonna tie up a lot of bandwidth and data usage.
Another thing I would be worried about is if they are playing online, will they only be playing with school friends etc or can some random guy start talking to them in game.
Another thing that has changed since my gaming day is in the old days you bought a game, it was relatively expensive but that was the extent of your outlay no matter how many times or how long you played it for. Now with online gaming the players are encouraged to stump up more credit so they have more players \ options in game, so it's like an arcade in that respect - constant revenue outlay.
If they are into online gaming you might need to look at your broadband package also, gonna tie up a lot of bandwidth and data usage.
What age kids are you talking about?
Just to add to what @odyssey06 said, some of the games are extremely violent. I've seen parents spend ages to make the decision to buy a console, but then once they have it buy whatever games the kids want.
I don't think the bedroom is an appropriate place for a console in any event.
Just to add to what @odyssey06 said, some of the games are extremely violent. I've seen parents spend ages to make the decision to buy a console, but then once they have it buy whatever games the kids want.
I don't think the bedroom is an appropriate place for a console in any event.
Gaming addiction has just recently been classified as a recognised disorder by the WHO, though there are many dissenting voices.
Many modern games, particularly those that offer the ability to progress through add-on purchases, follow a model that intentionally engage the pleasure and reward centers of the brain. Couple that with the much more immersive experience offered by modern gaming platforms and you have all the ingredients for an addictive product. Some are more predisposed to this than others, and you may already know if your children are that way inclined. The gaming industry has been so successful in exploiting this area of psychology that other industries are looking to leverage gamification in their products or services.
That said, in the right environment with the right controls in place, there is no harm in it. Gaming is such a large part of childhood now that banning it outright is likely to be counterproductive. Exposure to a potentially addictive activity and learning to manage this could even be very beneficial.
Many modern games, particularly those that offer the ability to progress through add-on purchases, follow a model that intentionally engage the pleasure and reward centers of the brain. Couple that with the much more immersive experience offered by modern gaming platforms and you have all the ingredients for an addictive product. Some are more predisposed to this than others, and you may already know if your children are that way inclined. The gaming industry has been so successful in exploiting this area of psychology that other industries are looking to leverage gamification in their products or services.
That said, in the right environment with the right controls in place, there is no harm in it. Gaming is such a large part of childhood now that banning it outright is likely to be counterproductive. Exposure to a potentially addictive activity and learning to manage this could even be very beneficial.
Ceist Beag
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As others have suggested, nothing wrong with gaming in itself so long as you know/monitor what games they're playing and set time limits. Weekend only is what we do (apart from holiday season) and only for a couple of hours at the weekend. Also, they play in the living room where we can see them, I'm with RedOnion in that I don't think the bedroom is an appropriate place for a games console. Online gaming isn't something we've had to deal with yet so I'd be interested to hear views on how to manage this.
I have 3 sons who are fairly heavily into the xbox. So a bit of a thing with me.
How young is young. Unless you are a very committed opponent of the xbox it will become a big thing in your house. No harm to delay as long as possible. As said above a Wii is a very different machine and a good alternative for as long as the kids will accept that.
If you get an xbox your kids will spend more time on it than you consider reasonable. In my opinion to call it an addiction is silly. Its not heroin.
How young is young. Unless you are a very committed opponent of the xbox it will become a big thing in your house. No harm to delay as long as possible. As said above a Wii is a very different machine and a good alternative for as long as the kids will accept that.
If you get an xbox your kids will spend more time on it than you consider reasonable. In my opinion to call it an addiction is silly. Its not heroin.
This came up a lot at Christmas. I've a 5 year old relative with a hand-held console who was quite infatuated with it. His parents restrict the use of it but 5 seems so young. On the other hand, I've a friend with a 7 year old who absolutely forbids the use of gaming consoles. I have to say I lean towards his point of view. I know older kids- 10 or 1 - who despite their parents' best intentions, manage to play GTA or Call of Duty - both, I think, are over 18. I'm not so old that I don't remember how addictive GTA was for me in my twenties. What effect does it have on children?
Limit the time they can use it (us it as a reward for doing chores, study etc.).
Don't have it in a bedroom.
Control the games they are allowed to play (an 18's game is for adults)
Be really careful about internet access while playing. I don't allow this for younger kids.
Don't have it in a bedroom.
Control the games they are allowed to play (an 18's game is for adults)
Be really careful about internet access while playing. I don't allow this for younger kids.
Same applied to TV, Sweets, most toys etc.
Jasus, yez're hard on dem kids!Yep!
The worst complaint I ever heard about Lego was how painful it is if you step on it with your bare feet.
Never heard warnings about addiction to Roller Skates.
I've never seen a child screaming and crying for strawberries in the supermarket.
No concerns about exposure to inappropriate language or criminal behaviour when playing Monopoly (though there was that time the banker become suddenly rich....).
In truth we make these rods for our own backs.
Never heard warnings about addiction to Roller Skates.
I've never seen a child screaming and crying for strawberries in the supermarket.
No concerns about exposure to inappropriate language or criminal behaviour when playing Monopoly (though there was that time the banker become suddenly rich....).
In truth we make these rods for our own backs.
Not to be treated lightly! The dog can also eat them (not as dangerous as the dog eating the tiles from scrabble; my dog did that and the vet said her next crap could spell disaster!)
Sure you could die from a fall then rollerskating!
My son (then 3 years old) once cried because we didn't have any olives. That's the result of exposing him to nice food from a young age.
Ye'd want to hear us playing monopoly.
Yes, yes we do.
Brilliant!
And there is the danger, lay people don't know enough to hold informed opinions in this specialised, medical area.
Like addictions to gambling, shopping and sex, for example, the behaviour itself, the planning, hiding, manipulation of others, etc are the addiction, and for someone with a predisposition, they are the heroin or the substance of choice. The "behavioural" addictions are sometimes referred to as the hidden ones as there is no visible substance involved and no visible intoxication of the sufferer.
Compulsive gaming, home-based or internet-based is closely related to compulsive gambling, to the extent that compulsive gamblers in recovery are asked to avoid any activity (or substance) that may cause relapse or be used as a replacement maladaptive behaviour. Gaming is one such activity.
This is a highly complex medical subject and a very sensitive area could I ask that the topic be closed to further discussion.
Consult the DSM IV-TR, DSM 5, WHO sites, etc. This one is the ICD-10, the international classification of diseases for more information. ICD-11, currently under development.
Mathepac, I am sorry if this is an area that has impacted you, but you cannot just close your ears and say "doctors, doctors, doctors".
See here for a view of the ICD and its attitude to a mental health issue that is somewhat better understood than gaming "addiction" https://www.theguardian.com/society...depression-wrong-johann-hari-lost-connections
As a parent of game devoted kids, I repeat my opinion that to call excessive gaming addiction is silly. I will go further and say that it can be an effort to pass responsibility that should belong to a parent over to a medical treatment.
See here for a view of the ICD and its attitude to a mental health issue that is somewhat better understood than gaming "addiction" https://www.theguardian.com/society...depression-wrong-johann-hari-lost-connections
As a parent of game devoted kids, I repeat my opinion that to call excessive gaming addiction is silly. I will go further and say that it can be an effort to pass responsibility that should belong to a parent over to a medical treatment.
PaddyBloggit
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Re. addiction and the use of the term:
Apple must fight toxic iPhone addiction among children, urge two large investors with $2 billion in shares
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...-urge-action-curb-child-gadget-addiction.html
Apple must fight toxic iPhone addiction among children, urge two large investors with $2 billion in shares
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...-urge-action-curb-child-gadget-addiction.html
Many thanks folks for all the comments. I disagree with only one. I believe there is plenty of evidence that gaming is addictive. It affects the same receptors (dopamine related) in the brain that heroin and other addictive drugs such as alcohol release. It absolutely is habit forming. This is apart from the other hazards of who they are talking to online which is also a worry. There are many horrific stories out there of neglect/death of children who's parents who are addicted to games and who didnt look after their children's nutrition or safety in order to satisfy their addiction. There are also many stories of young adults who have taken their own lives due to gaming issues. There are clear links to reduction in academic performance, reduced attention at school, increased likelihood of depression, anxiety and irregular/ disrupted sleep patterns. They are also a link to increased likelihood of addictive behaviour in other areas eg gambling in adulthood. I know of one 18 year old who punched a hole in his bedroom wall at 3 am when he missed out on the next level of a game. He also subsequently physically attacked his mother when she tried to remove the machine from him. Im wondering if there are many parents out there who specifically have refused to buy consoles out right. It seems like most parents give into peer pressure nowadays and the manufacturers win in the end but at what cost ? Im personally leaning towards a blanket ban. My kids are preschool right now but I can see this coming down the tracks.