Games - The Jury Is Out And Confused

Thanks to Blue's News for pointing to a New York Times article entitled 'On Video Games, the Jury Is Out and Confused' (registration required). It talks about the mixed messages being given to parents about video gaming, especially with regard to violent content, and its effect on their children: "In the face of contradictory, inconclusive or just plain confusing evidence, some parents... agonize over what limits to set." One concerned mother even has to keep her spouse in check as well: "My husband is a little hard to control. Sometimes he lets them rent games with little figures on top of buildings trying to shoot each other off." What limits do you or your relatives put on their children's gaming, and why?

Comments

Re:Here's an idea

[untaken_name]

"Everyone was saying, 'Phew, there's some value, they're not just a mindless, ridiculous waste of time,' "

These people, who had to *discover* that there was "some value" to games, are the same ones who park their kids in front of inane videos, just to get some peace. They obviously saw some value in non-interactive images on tv...why is it that people seem to think static watching of the regular crap on tv is somehow better than actually PLAYING a video game. I mean, sure, there are games you don't want little kids to be playing, but if you are so unaware of what your kids are doing that they can play a video game you don't approve of in your own house, I think you're going to have bigger problems. I know I always got into the most trouble when I was left completely alone. That's why it was a rare occurance. I believe that people who are looking for the 'solution' to the 'problem' of having to be involved with their kids should have put a bit more thought into whether they were ready for kids. Kids don't just disappear when you want a little peace and quiet, and raising them is a difficult thing. It actually takes dedication and requires you to sacrifice what you want for what is best for them. If you aren't willing to do that, don't be surprised when your kids don't turn out how you wanted, and don't blame it on anyone (or anything) but yourself.