What video games and restrictions do you allow for your child?

[BostonMike7]

Two 7 year old here. I'm a gamer, (and have always been). While we do have a PS4 that I play games on, the kids don't play anything on it. For them, I have a Rasberry Pi ROM emulator with NES/GENESIS games programmed on it.

So, for now the only video game they play is Super Mario bros, and there's a time limit of 30 mins each on the weekends for it. We've had some good family time stomping on little Koopas.

I know they have seen Fortnite at friend's houses, and there's not much I can do about that. I can't shelter them from the outside world, and don't really want to anyway.

For the record, I played video games as a kid. No restrictions on which games, but games like Mortal Kombat and DOOM came out when I was a teenager, not 7. I really don't want my kids playing Call of Duty at age 7. I play it now and then, and have to say I am horrified by some of the language I hear from kids when I play and have the chat on. I've heard the most racist and vile language from kids during those games. So i'm not sure how my wife and I will approach letting them play more modern games. Some of it is ok, like Worms, or other games that teach strategy, or puzzle solving. Not all video games are first person shooters.


As for gaming itself, I don't necessarily see it as a bad thing. Everything needs to be taken in moderation and with priorities in check. Homework done? chores done? Room clean? Grades up? Behavior good? Then you can have some game time.

[FierceKaia]

Just curious what video games you allow your children to play and what their age and restrictions are while playing?

I have 2 teenage nieces who stay over sometimes and we follow their parents guidelines. Weekends are a little more relaxed. We take them to libraries and different activities so their life isn't completely on their cellphones 24/7!

Their parents have controls on their cell phones and once that is done for the day gaming is over! However, my brother and I have an extensive gaming set-up and if we are not playing we allow the girls to play (but not anything questionable or violent in nature) Chores, Homework, Dishes need to be done first before any TV or Gaming occurs though!