What age for a games console

[cadburyegg]

Debate as old as time.

My 6 year old is the only one in his friendship group who doesn't have an Xbox, which seems mad to me. But it sounds like at least one of his friends' parents are into gaming so it's a family console rather than belonging to the child.

My 9 year old has also picked up on this and now both of them are asking for one. I have said IF they get a console it won't be until at least Christmas (both their birthdays were earlier this year).

Obvs still a long time away but now I worry if 6yo is too young still. I have to strictly control their screen time as it is.

Thoughts/what console is best/games etc.

For a 6 and 9 year old a Nintendo Switch (or an old secondhand Nintendo Wii) is fine as the selection of games are aimed at children and families.
Xbox and PlayStation the games are mostly aimed at older teens or adults.
There are some suitable for younger ages - but quite a limited choice compared to Nintendo.

I would try and resist as long as possible. Those sort consoles really are detrimental to kids working hard at their study out of school, and also making them into hermits who never go out and socialise.

DS got his the Xmas he was 9, which was 2020. During COVID lots of his mates could communicate through it, so we got a PS4 Minecraft. It was great cos he could also connect with cousins abroad, which was lovely. When they played Fortnite they were all so polite with each other, like nuns drinking tea! Unfortunately his classmates weren't so polite, but he soon grew out of Fortnite and no longer plays. Horrible game.
He isn't addicted to the PS, so he can play it when he wants, always at the weekend. He doesn't have siblings, so I can't comment on arguments or sharing.
But age 6+9 seems ok, get games they can both play.

The consolea were there before the child. They partook in family games from about four or so. Signs on they have no more than a fleeting interest in them.

We game as a family 80, odd down to 4. Probably about a couple of times a month. Games are all racing, puzzle based so no issues with content. Minecraft is the big hit across the age bands.

Mine have a ps5 each they are 7 & 9. They had a switch but found it a bit boring.

We got a Switch aged 5 1/2 (in lockdown!) and it had a lot of use throughout KS1 - but our son has got bored with it and hardly plays it anymore aged 9 - just the odd family game of MarioKart or if he is given a new game for Xmas (for a few weeks until he completes that).
He isn't asking for an XBox/Playstation etc to upgrade to - though he does still play Minecraft regularly on a PC.

My two got an joint xbox X when they were 7 & 4 respectively (2 years ago). It's in a shared family space and they have strict rules on what/when they can play. Homework, practising the violin/dance, activities and spending time outside with friends comes first. Dc2 (now 6) loves minecraft and building massively complex buildings complete with stained glass aquariums and waterslides. Dc1 likes building minecraft Titanics and working through the campaigns on Age of Empires (which has taught him plenty of history and spawned an interest in military tactics). The Euros has seen them playing Fifa together.

We also have 4 controllers so that they can play things like minecraft and multi player driving games either with friends or with us. Dh and I both play too, having had other games consoles before we had kids.