Christmas Advice

[bad rider]

Today I was asked by my mothers boyfriend whether xbox live was an appropriate gift for his ten year old son for Christmas. The advice I gave at the time was just short of a no citing the fact that even playing UNO on-line on xbox live, might result in a twenty year old exposing himself towards his son. (That was from personal experience.)

Though thinking on it now it's not like he hasn't got access to the internet and anything he may hear online is only slightly more probably than he's likely to hear in a playground.

I think I'll stick to the "it's inappropriate for a ten year old" position, however I do wonder what everyone else would do if put in the same position?

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

NO he probably shouldn't give Xbox Live to his kid.

 

[cookieXkiller]

there is a reason games have an R rating ... but yeah, stick to your guns and say no

 

[bad rider]

there is a reason games have an R rating ... but yeah, stick to your guns and say no

He isn't given R rated games, but as I said,even on UNO you can't escape the internets.

 

[Fanboy]

I think a 10 year old should be playing with his friends, not playing with strangers.

I know all my best memories of playing multiplayer games as a child are from good old splitscreen.

 

[MassiveGeek]

Xbox Live, I would say, isn't really the best gift for a ten year old, no. He'd have more fun with just a new game for it, I'd say.

 

[Gralian]

Fuck please stick to your guns and say it's not, we don't need another 10 year old on xbox live

This. A thousand times. THIS.

But seriousness aside, if he doesn't run into swearing, racist and homophobic insults then you can bet he'll be ostracised for his young age, particularly if people on his team feel he's screwing them over. (a ten year old can't exactly play Halo to the same standard as a frat boy)

And honestly, ignoring all that, i think the last thing any parent wants is for their minor to be exposed to such phrases as "cock-munching cuntmonger". You have been warned.

Also, get him a brand new game or some other present. New games are always fun and exciting. Xbox live? Well, that's situational as to whether or not you actually have fun with it.

 

[Toriver]

Yeah... that's a no... Xbox Live for a 10-year-old is not a good idea.

An Xbox? Sure, with age-appropriate games. Preferably something that he can play on local multiplayer with his friends or siblings. That way he can still play multiplayer, make some real-life friends, and not be in his room or on the family TV alone all day.

Or why not suggest a Wii? That kind of thing is what the Wii is built for.

 

[cookieXkiller]

there is a reason games have an R rating ... but yeah, stick to your guns and say no

He isn't given R rated games, but as I said,even on UNO you can't escape the internets.

so true ... and i ment the games are rated R for a reason.

 

[smearyllama]

Well, there are parental controls.
Remind him of that.

But, it's really best to keep them both innocent for as long as possible.

Do what you will.

 

[Twilight_guy]

I'd first ask if the child has an X-box and has been a member of X-box live before. Assume both are true I respond "definitely" and move on. If not, then I ask about what games the son own to help determine what the play environment might be like. I will probably explain the bubbling cess pool that is X-box live (and try to offer a fair view not just the negative) but mostly likely will say that its okay.

 

[Crashage]

Why would a 10 year old need live? Say no dude, you did the right thing

 

[Fwee]

I'm sure he'd rather have another game.