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Original poster

Does your 10yo use a headset when gaming?

27 replies

Scrunchcake · 20/11/2019 21:45

So if my DS is to be believed*, every single one of his friends has a headset so they can chat while gaming (mostly Fortnite). I'm reluctant for him to have one till he's older but honestly don't know if I'm being sensible or v over-protective. I'd love to know people's thoughts or experiences.

*spoiler: he's usually not

OP posts:
theitch · 20/11/2019 21:45

Mine does

Flicketyflack · 20/11/2019 21:46

Yes my ten year old did.

ActualHornist · 20/11/2019 21:49

Mine do but they don’t connect to unknown people. I think it’s fine so long as you’re comfortable he’s not online with strangers.

FixTheBone · 20/11/2019 21:50

Yes,

If its on an xbox you can be quite specific about who can speak to, and hear who using the family setttings.

Inicdentally we went for an Astro A20 headset, its pretty decent.

RainWoman19 · 20/11/2019 21:51

Yes mine does.

ISmellBabies · 20/11/2019 21:52

Yes mine does. But only because she plays and chats with a friend who lives far away. She doesn't play and chat with school friends much yet.

hopeishere · 20/11/2019 21:54

Yes. He also has to play with the sound off as it does my head in.

Cuddlysnowleopard · 20/11/2019 21:54

Mine does

Original poster
Scrunchcake · 20/11/2019 21:55

Thanks everyone. Yes, it's the potential for talking to strangers that worries me. I need to get to grips with what control (if any) we would have - it would be on a Switch.

OP posts:
PressureCookingDisaster · 20/11/2019 22:17

Yes, mine does but he’s not allowed to play Fortnight.

milkysmum · 20/11/2019 22:19

My son is 8, but yes he has a headset and chats to friends when playing. I'd say most in his class have one to be honest.

dappledsunshine · 20/11/2019 22:22

Yes mine does but he only plays online with his school friends and I can hear his conversation as he usually shouts the whole time

HeatedDryer · 20/11/2019 22:24

Yes but as above, he does play fortnite but can only chat to his school friends. And he has to come off at dinner time then no more gaming.

Original poster
Scrunchcake · 20/11/2019 22:29

I feel like we've got a good handle on what he's allowed to play, how much time he's on etc. It's helpful to know what other people do too.

OP posts:
NWQM · 20/11/2019 22:32

Yes but we brought new ones that were volume limiting

CokeAndCrispsAndDip · 20/11/2019 22:37

Yes. I monitor who he speaks to and he knows not to add randoms. My understanding is playing Fortnite without a headset is missing out on a huge part of the fun.

Tigresswoods · 20/11/2019 22:40

Yes my 9y old does. He's only interested in speaking to his friends on Fortnite.

Original poster
Scrunchcake · 20/11/2019 22:42

@CokeAndCrispsAndDip Yeah, I think it probably is. I just need to balance that with him being likely to be tempted to talk to random.

OP posts:
cocoabasher · 20/11/2019 22:43

Mine does. She is only allowed to talk to school friends and even then I make sure to check with the other parent that it’s ok. She plays in the living room so we can see/hear everything.

mummumumumumumum · 20/11/2019 22:45

Mine does

LemonGingerCakes · 20/11/2019 22:47

Absolutely no way!

Even when speaking to friends, I want to monitor things.

linentowel · 20/11/2019 22:48

Mine does. Strict rules in place and headset is relatively new. Small house so I could hear him talk and his friends talk back. He knows a huge amount of trust is involved in getting the headset.

Chocmallows · 20/11/2019 22:52

Yes at 9 years old, but only downstairs where I can clearly hear what he is saying and only connecting with friends.

Whateveryoudoordontdo · 20/11/2019 22:53

Mine does. So do his friends. I can hear him shouting at them and see their gaming names on his screen so I know who he's talking to.

10brokengreenbottles · 20/11/2019 22:55

No, but judging by this thread I am in the minority, and DS2's protest that "everyone else does" may be correct.