Poll: should parents monitor what video games their children are playing?
- Thread starter Fitscat
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Um... duh?
That's what the rating system is for, so parents can monitor what kind of games their children can play. And even if they did somehow get access to an M-rated game, parents can filter what kind of games they play through the parental settings on consoles. At least I know that's possible to do on the 360.
That's what the rating system is for, so parents can monitor what kind of games their children can play. And even if they did somehow get access to an M-rated game, parents can filter what kind of games they play through the parental settings on consoles. At least I know that's possible to do on the 360.
Of course they should. Of course, that doesn't mean that many do. If more parentsa ctually took an interest in what their kids were doing then there would be less of them moaning about the games in the first place. Kids can't buy games for themselves if they are below the age, so the parents are obviously buying them for them. It takes about five minutes to find a rough overview of a game, not that much effort really. Look into it, decide if you think it's suitable for your kid and act accordingly.
Hellz yeah, we dont need little seven year olds hacking a game, and cussing up xbl. Its only proper parenting. In fact when i was seventeen i was playing gears 2 with my mom in the room, and she found it funny how carmine was trying to be a badass, just to be eaten my the riftworm.
I think so (speaking as a parent). I don't think parents should be ogres about the matter, but some monitoring is definitely a good thing. It comes down to the parents really knowing their children, and knowing what they could handle.
I was playing violent, M rated games at around age 6. I had (and still have) a very good relationship with my parents, we did things together often and spent a good bit of time together, so they knew very well how I responded to fiction, so they felt confident that letting me play games outside my age bracket wouldn't have any ill effects on me (to be fair, it was the PS1 era so it was hardly realistic and the vast majority of the enemies were aliens and monsters unlike today where it's normally human on human violence).
I think that if a child expresses an interest in a product (be it a book, movie or game) above their age bracket that it's up to the parents to know their child well enough to judge whether or not they're ready for the subject matter. Of course this also means the parent needs to do a little research to familiarize themselves with what the kid is interested in, and that seems like a lot to ask of some parents nowadays...
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Edit: Got it fixed. I had a rootkit that was disabling all Google functions, including captchas.
I was playing violent, M rated games at around age 6. I had (and still have) a very good relationship with my parents, we did things together often and spent a good bit of time together, so they knew very well how I responded to fiction, so they felt confident that letting me play games outside my age bracket wouldn't have any ill effects on me (to be fair, it was the PS1 era so it was hardly realistic and the vast majority of the enemies were aliens and monsters unlike today where it's normally human on human violence).
I think that if a child expresses an interest in a product (be it a book, movie or game) above their age bracket that it's up to the parents to know their child well enough to judge whether or not they're ready for the subject matter. Of course this also means the parent needs to do a little research to familiarize themselves with what the kid is interested in, and that seems like a lot to ask of some parents nowadays...
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Edit: Got it fixed. I had a rootkit that was disabling all Google functions, including captchas.
That depends on what you mean by monitoring. If you mean looking at their games and screening which games they can play then no. If you mean knowing what their kids are playing then yes. A child should be allowed to have some responsibility and choice in their life, picking their own games is a good way to do that.
My parents did a good job of keeping an eye on what I played by also playing the games. It was something we shared and something we enjoyed together. My parents only ever outright said I couldn't play a game and even that only lasted a short while. I never felt like I was being watched or restricted.
If you've raised your kid right then being liberal in a few areas is going to be a fuck load better than saying no in the name of protecting your kids. No child wants to have overbearing parents and it'll put a lot of strain on your relationship and your child's development if you do try and protect too often.
My parents did a good job of keeping an eye on what I played by also playing the games. It was something we shared and something we enjoyed together. My parents only ever outright said I couldn't play a game and even that only lasted a short while. I never felt like I was being watched or restricted.
If you've raised your kid right then being liberal in a few areas is going to be a fuck load better than saying no in the name of protecting your kids. No child wants to have overbearing parents and it'll put a lot of strain on your relationship and your child's development if you do try and protect too often.
Of course they should, I wouldn't want my kids to play anything I didn't deem appropriate for them.
Anything less than monitoring it (knowing what games your kids are playing) is bad parenting.
Anything less than monitoring it (knowing what games your kids are playing) is bad parenting.
Of course. Parents should at the very least be aware of what their kids are playing, and ideally monitor some of the more questionable games their kids play to put certain things they might see in context or decide what they are and aren't ready for. One of the main reasons I opposed any attempt to legally limit the sale of video games is because I ardently believe that the restriction of what media children are exposed to is the right and responsibility of parents.
When I was a kid videogames were just a handful of pixels played on our Tandy's and NES' "violence" wasn't a big thing. Oh sure, people complained DOOM is too violent and whatnot, but it was really a non issue.
Today's games can be extremely violent and disturbing, but i have sincere doubts that much of it will affect most children in any meaningful way, however if you have a 5 year old who comes home and plays 3 hours of Manhunt you may have a sick child on your hands. Definitely monitor your children.
Today's games can be extremely violent and disturbing, but i have sincere doubts that much of it will affect most children in any meaningful way, however if you have a 5 year old who comes home and plays 3 hours of Manhunt you may have a sick child on your hands. Definitely monitor your children.
Take intrest and monitor only if it's an online game. Set hours for the amount of time they can play. No "M" rated games until the child is old enough to comprehend the subjects of the game and know what is acceptable and not acceptable. If playing online multiplayer, he or she must have some one with them to supervise. If they are in their mid-teens, then I see no reason to monitor them any more (if they were raised correctly).
If I hear any excessive cursing or insulting online, then I will teach my child a lesson they will never forget.
If I hear any excessive cursing or insulting online, then I will teach my child a lesson they will never forget.
Yes.
If your kid is into video games and you have no clue about them - you're not only failing as a parent to potentially protect them from some really messed up stuff (applies to younger kids mostly here) but also entirely absent from a major part of their life (in slightly older kids).
If your kid is into video games and you have no clue about them - you're not only failing as a parent to potentially protect them from some really messed up stuff (applies to younger kids mostly here) but also entirely absent from a major part of their life (in slightly older kids).
