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The 9-year-old is too young. Avoid getting the headset where they can talk to other players and make them type the conversations. It will help typing skills, spelling and writing. When words are misspelled other players haze you. There is some peer pressure to spell correctly, believe it or not. You can work on math skills somewhat with all of these games that have economies. You have to make money. You can get scammed (on the game, like when buying and selling items). You have goals you can work towards. It's not all bad.
If they have a headset, the talking to each other can be bad - bad language, creeps.
These games can be addictive. My son plays x-box games - but he knows I only allow him to go on for a certain time limit. Then I shout "OK, OFF,OFF - do something different. Boring to do the same thing for too long.." There are so many other, REAL life exciting things children can be doing...it is a SHAME to spend too much time, playing electronic games. How about learning a musical insturment, taking part in some sport not normally played, rock climbing...hahahah....anything. There is a big world out there....why just sit inside your house, staring at a screen all day? BORING!!!
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