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I think they ARE, insomuch that once they're in the house it's ALL the kids seem to want to do anymore. They're GLUED to that thing & hiss like a mad cat if you try & limit their time on it. That's how I've seen it occur with other parents anyway.
That's why my kids don't get to have any, because I'm not going to allow that sort of thing & you sure as heck aren't touching MY computer (or phone/tablet), you will leave your hands off of MY property. Go outside, make a mud-pie, gather up some acorns & count them (our 6 year old did just that only yesterday, and was enjoying it), swing on the swings--later, on the inside, read a book, straighten up your room, stack some blocks, assemble something with Lincoln Logs & TinkerToys.
The author can laugh all they want, but the observation others make is right. Yes I loved PacMan as a teen, but as a 4-10 year old I went outside all the time, was MADE to on occasion even. It didn't curtail my love of reading, which was around then & still is. I'm so glad I was raised that way.
I think they ARE, insomuch that once they're in the house it's ALL the kids seem to want to do anymore. They're GLUED to that thing & hiss like a mad cat if you try & limit their time on it. That's how I've seen it occur with other parents anyway.
That's why my kids don't get to have any, because I'm not going to allow that sort of thing & you sure as heck aren't touching MY computer (or phone/tablet), you will leave your hands off of MY property. Go outside, make a mud-pie, gather up some acorns & count them (our 6 year old did just that only yesterday, and was enjoying it), swing on the swings--later, on the inside, read a book, straighten up your room, stack some blocks, assemble something with Lincoln Logs & TinkerToys.
The author can laugh all they want, but the observation others make is right. Yes I loved PacMan as a teen, but as a 4-10 year old I went outside all the time, was MADE to on occasion even. It didn't curtail my love of reading, which was around then & still is. I'm so glad I was raised that way.
LRH
Why must it be an either/or activity? That seems a common argument. If you parent to disallow video games, why can't you parent to moderate video games. Set time limits? Do you set expectations for reading time? Play dates? Piano practice?
Why must it be an either/or activity? That seems a common argument. If you parent to disallow video games, why can't you parent to moderate video games. Set time limits? Do you set expectations for reading time? Play dates? Piano practice?
Because to moderate that would entail me having to "hover" over them constantly & probably get downright ugly to have them stop when the time is up, because the tendency is for them to protest at that point. I am of the "let them play BY THEMSELVES" school of thought--yes when needed I intervene, but I shouldn't have to hover over & supervise their play, play should be "free range" as it were.
Play "dates" shouldn't be necessary, playing shouldn't have to be done by APPOINTMENT. Again, "free range." Reading, etc--as long as I see them doing enough of that for my satisfaction, I let them do whatever. Besides, those are GOOD things. Nothing good comes from video games that I see, anything it teaches them they could learn just as well from a book, without the addictive tendencies that, again, would require me to supervise when I believe in "free range" play in that way. I believe in it not just for my benefit (although that is part of the reason, and so what if it is), but because to me free range is best for the kids as well. Let THEM make up the rules, let THEM come up with a game they play, that's not my job, and it's not a video game's job to do it for them either.
Because to moderate that would entail me having to "hover" over them constantly & probably get downright ugly to have them stop when the time is up, because the tendency is for them to protest at that point. I am of the "let them play BY THEMSELVES" school of thought--yes when needed I intervene, but I shouldn't have to hover over & supervise their play, play should be "free range" as it were.
Play "dates" shouldn't be necessary, playing shouldn't have to be done by APPOINTMENT. Again, "free range." Reading, etc--as long as I see them doing enough of that for my satisfaction, I let them do whatever. Besides, those are GOOD things. Nothing good comes from video games that I see, anything it teaches them they could learn just as well from a book, without the addictive tendencies that, again, would require me to supervise when I believe in "free range" play in that way. I believe in it not just for my benefit (although that is part of the reason, and so what if it is), but because to me free range is best for the kids as well. Let THEM make up the rules, let THEM come up with a game they play, that's not my job, and it's not a video game's job to do it for them either.
LRH
Eh - yuck. Moderator Cut
1) oh, set time limits on things too hard. I'll just ban one of the most fun entertainment options available "4:30-5:30 is quiet/homework time 6:30-7:30 dinner; 7:30 - 8:30 tv/games/etc " that is soo tough.
2) If they are a normal kid, they will just go to a friends house and be at the mercy of those parents.
this sums it up
" Nothing good comes from video games that I see"
Not too long the same thing was said about plays, and their damage to society
then it was quoted about Novels. Fiction. . is the devils work afterall
not long after that radio
then Television
and now "gasp" video games. Lets ignore all the benefits, and stick to my beliefs. . kind of rationality that has strangled humans for years.
Funny
and once again, Moderator Cut video games taught a lot. . .and started my career in computer sciences.
Last edited by Jaded; 11-04-2013 at 01:31 PM..
Reason: Personal attack
Because to moderate that would entail me having to "hover" over them constantly & probably get downright ugly to have them stop when the time is up, because the tendency is for them to protest at that point. I am of the "let them play BY THEMSELVES" school of thought--yes when needed I intervene, but I shouldn't have to hover over & supervise their play, play should be "free range" as it were.
Play "dates" shouldn't be necessary, playing shouldn't have to be done by APPOINTMENT. Again, "free range." Reading, etc--as long as I see them doing enough of that for my satisfaction, I let them do whatever. Besides, those are GOOD things. Nothing good comes from video games that I see, anything it teaches them they could learn just as well from a book, without the addictive tendencies that, again, would require me to supervise when I believe in "free range" play in that way. I believe in it not just for my benefit (although that is part of the reason, and so what if it is), but because to me free range is best for the kids as well. Let THEM make up the rules, let THEM come up with a game they play, that's not my job, and it's not a video game's job to do it for them either.
LRH
What ages are your children?
There is no need to hover if children understand expectations.
There is no need to hover if children understand expectations.
If I recall, Larry's girls are quite young. I never felt the need to hover over videogames. Some we played as a family...everything from the old Dancepad to snowboarding, golf and pingpong contests - we especially enjoyed these after holiday dinners. As my son got older and videogames with peers became more of a "thing" our monitoring was limited to nixing certain games in our home (can't control what goes on in other homes but we certainly discussed with our son what our objections were) and limiting videogame playing to weekends only. It was never really an issue as our kids mainly preferred outside and active, real-life activities and interactions. But a bit of escapism from time to time is a good thing. Whether that is reading, music, or gaming.
All forms of escapism kill children's childhood AND future. Whether it be obsessing on video games, WWF Wrestling, posting to strangers on the internet, or zoning out watching TV.
ALL forms are bad? I spent a lot of my childhood with my nose in a book. I read in the car, I read when I was supposed to be sleeping, I read instead of doing homework, I read while I was walking somewhere (yes, that's dumb). I read so much that my mom took my favorite book away. Is that different? By the way, I've been a professional writer for more than 10 years now.
My son loves Minecraft and Little Big Planet. They are right in line with his engineering interests.
Interesting how you ignore all the anecdotes that don't support your limited opinion.
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