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Original poster

To be cross that my ds (10) was given this as a present

142 replies

voluptuagoodshag · 03/02/2015 10:30

He received a three month subscription for Xbox live from a pal (2 years older).

When DH and I investigated how it all worked (we are not gaming experts at all) we were horrified to discover that this allows a gamer to play on line with anyone, anywhere in the world. Yes there are parental controls but having now done some research and asked others who have it, it would appear that language can be choice and they can be communicating with anyone online. We would also need to buy a dongle to allow it to operate.

Now what I'm most annoyed about is that the parents of this pal didn't ask us if this was ok or if we had the right equipement. If they had, it wouldn't have been an issue but they've gone ahead and got this for our DS who is now clearly desperate to play on it. Also the subscription is only for three months, so it would then mean we were left with the decision of whether to commit to renewing it or not.

I just think this is the most irresponsible thing to do.

OP posts:
Idontseeanysontarans · 03/02/2015 11:44

Ah well, we bought it for the 360 online Grin, didn't realise it was in disc form for xbox!
You can use pre paid game cards and unlike pretty much everything else you don't need to have card details on the account, it's set up very well I think.
Yes he can talk to people anywhere in the world, DS has made friends with a lad in America via gaming but even that can be monitored (his Mum asked to speak to me on live then we Skyped to check each other out. We're now FB friends Smile).
The vouchers usually have a fairly long shelf life, you won't have to consider using it immediately. I wouldn't dismiss it out of hand though.

Idontseeanysontarans · 03/02/2015 11:47

I put my card details in to set up the account then took them off again. If you have a voucher you get the option to redeem it on live through the console.

SnowWhiteAteTheApple · 03/02/2015 11:47

Trend, do you have a gamer profile already set up? If so, you need to find the option that says redeem vouchers and add the membership code there. That way you don't need a credit card and it should auto upgrade to gold membership.

Butteredparsnips · 03/02/2015 11:57

You know that a WIFI is wireless don't you?

You have WIFI so you don't need a dongle or a long lead.

You could still ask your DS to play within your rules.

bbcessex · 03/02/2015 12:15

I agree that it's a crap present from the parent's perspective, if you weren't party to it. It's your choice if your child is allowed access to online gaming - they've put you in a rubbish position.

It's opening up all kinds of miserable arguments going forward; if you were happy with it, it's only for 3 months so it's committing you to paying for the subscription after the initial expiry.

And some older X-boxes need a dongle / wifi connector to get online, as do pretty old pcs and laptops.

Agreed - you're right to be pee'd off.

SoonToBeSix · 03/02/2015 12:17

Op like pp says wifi is wireless it really doesn't matter what room the router is in. Does your dh understand technology?

HubertCumberdale · 03/02/2015 12:23

You can set the controls so that your child can only talk to 'friends'. You can also set them so that you have control over who is accepted as a friend.
Use Xbox Live properly and appropriately and he'll be fine.

Northumberlandlass · 03/02/2015 12:27

Bloody hell. I just bought an 11yr old a 3 month trial to xbox live as a birthday present.
I bought it because DS has it & his mate was jealous & wanted it too.

I do monitor DS on his Xbox.

I didn't realise it was a controversial present!

Tyzer85 · 03/02/2015 12:28

Older Xbox 360's are not wifi enabled, they either need a LAN cable or a USB dongle to access Xbox Live.

AliceinWinterWonderland · 03/02/2015 12:28

I think it's really only controversial (IMO) if you haven't bothered to make sure the parents are okay with that (and obviously don't ask them in front of the child, putting them on the spot).

redskybynight · 03/02/2015 12:28

My DS is 10. All of his friends who have x boxes have this. I don't think it's age inappropriate at all. Presumably most 10 year olds are online in some shape or form, so you just apply whatever your house rules are to this?

HubertCumberdale · 03/02/2015 12:29

DieselSpillages You can set a timed amount of time on each childs' profile so that it monitors how long they've been on, then kicks them off when their time is up. Of course it counts down for them so they can wrap up whatever they're doing.

Original poster
voluptuagoodshag · 03/02/2015 12:48

Wow this has turned into the great dongle debate Smile

Yes my DH is very tech savvy. Yes it is a very old Xbox 360 we have so unlikely to have wifi by the sounds of it. So by the fact that some say we do need a dongle, some say we don't, it's easy to see where a misunderstanding could occur and folk would buy something assuming it would automatically work.

Like someone said, I suppose it's only controversial if the other parent finds it a nightmare pressie for which they are not geared up for nor would necessarily allow anyway (rightly or wrongly)

OP posts:
WipsGlitter · 03/02/2015 12:51

WiFi - means wireless - its a signal all over the house although the 'box' is located in a specific room!!

googoodolly · 03/02/2015 13:02

Not all the old Xbox's have wifi capabilities, though, so I don't know why everyone is getting all snotty with the OP about her saying she needs a dongle Hmm

We have an xbox 360 and we have to use a LAN cable to connect it to the router, whereas our ps3 is newer and can connect via wifi. It's not that unusual for consoles to need to be wired to the router to connect to the internet.

Original poster
voluptuagoodshag · 03/02/2015 13:04

I have checked our Xbox 360. It is dated 2009 and they only started making them with built in wifi from 2010.

Therefore whilst we have wifi in the house working wonderfully on all modern things, this Xbox will not connect to the Internet without a dongle or a lead.

OP posts:
Original poster
voluptuagoodshag · 03/02/2015 13:05

Thank you googoodolly! X posts there Smile

OP posts:
JCDenton · 03/02/2015 13:05

You can have the best Wifi in the world but some older Xbox 360s, like mine, do no have a receiver built in, I had to buy one or link it up through ethernet, which isn't always practical. I don't get why the OP is having such a hard time over this issue.

JCDenton · 03/02/2015 13:07

Add my x post to the list!

TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge · 03/02/2015 13:08

Oh for heavens sake.

My son has a subscription because he can then download games and access other things through the xbox live network.

He has NEVER played with or talked to anyone on it.

I suggest getting a grip and actually finding out about Xbox live rather than thinking it's all about talking to and playing with strangers.

googoodolly · 03/02/2015 13:08

No worries Smile

If you want, you can get a cheap LAN cable (ours is about 6m long and cost less than a tenner) and you can connect the xbox to the internet. As well as Xbox live, you can use it for Netflix/YouTube/iPlayer or whatever too.

I have to say, xbox live is pretty useful, and I think so long as you read up on it and make sure he only adds "real life" friends and doesn't talk to people he doesn't know, it shouldn't a problem. Although DP adds randomners when he plays online games and never actually speaks to them - you can still play online with people without actually talking to them at all.

rinabean · 03/02/2015 13:14

You don't know that his parents bought it btw, when I was 12 I bought my friends presents myself

Original poster
voluptuagoodshag · 03/02/2015 13:17

To quote friend "your pressie is on the way, my mum is getting it"

OP posts:
bigbuttons · 03/02/2015 13:17

This is such a bloody first world problem.Get a grip.

SirChenjin · 03/02/2015 13:18

I'd be more narked that I would have to buy a dongle - but horrified?? Crikey, you've got some shocks ahead of you during the teenage years.