To think there are good things about children gaming on consoles?

[colourdilemma]

I’m struggling with the idea of ds, 9, having an Xbox or similar. But, despite all the bad press for lots of screen time, they must have positives? I’m close to saying yes, but something’s holding me back.

valerrie how old is your child? I think you must be in the minority, as everyone else I've spoken to has the same view as I do. If you have managed to control it then you're very lucky.

The main games my kids' friends play are FIFA and fortnite. Both of these give you the opportunity to spend money. So it doesn't take long for the kids to start asking for money to buy players, kit, guns, squads, outfits etc.

Hats off to those of you who have sweet little kids that play Lego and minecraft, I'm very jealous.

Mercifully my kids are football mad so at least they get lots of outdoor exercise too.

No positives whatsoever.

I doubt Breck Bednar’s mother would agree either.

Why can’t kids have consoles and normal toys? Mine certainly plays with his Lego and knex daily! It’s all about balance, if you can’t police that then it’s your issue.

valerrie am I right in thinking you just have a daughter, age 9? In that case you won't get it.

steeley how old are your DC?

My DH is a gamer and can hold down a job, hep me with the kids and housework, play football, go gym and still game. It doesn’t have to take over your life and be this big horrible thing most people seem to make of it.

@Mintychoc1 he’s 5 but I’m from a family of gamers, my husband is a gamer and all of his family game.

steeley I'm not surprised a 5 year old can happily alternate screen games with Lego. At 5 my kids would be immersed in all their lovely wholesome toys for hours. Come back in 8 years time and things may be different.

Don't do it. Ever. There are NO redeeming features to games consoles or online gaming whatever anyone says.

I actually think it is destroying a generation, especially boys, in ways we don't even realise.

And obviously most adults have no problem regulating their game time, as they're adults and they understand priorities.

@Mintychoc1 why won’t a mother of a girl “get it”. You need to set your own boundaries, it’s THAT simple.

DD has had access to consoles from birth pretty much, her father makes games. My OH makes games. She is also extremely tech savvy and understands that in game/app purchases aren’t allowed and aren’t up for discussion.

She also rides, plays netball and dances each week.

pookie I couldn't have put it better myself. You sound like you've had the kind of day I've had!

@Mintychoc1 my husband, brothers and brother in laws have managed 30+ years enjoying both games and other activities. I’m sure he’ll be absolutely fine.

jacques because boys and girls play very different games

Don't do it. Ever. There are NO redeeming features to games consoles or online gaming whatever anyone says

Yes because you say that it must be true? Despite evidence to the contrary.

Have you read A Boy Made of Blocks?

@Mintychoc1 do they? Is that a fact? Because DD plays Minecraft and FIFA for a start....

steely good luck!

Does she play fortnite?

@Mintychoc1 no. She’s not 12. We’re firm on age ratings.

The absolute same rules will apply. Because they’ve always applied. I’m the parent, I set the boundaries.

I love the blanket no statements here.
There are many positives and it’s reslly sad that you’re denying children them.

Anyway, OP asked for opinions. I am giving my opinion, which is shared by literally every single parent I have spoken to at school, at football, at work. It is a common theme on which we all agree. Yes sure these games occupy children in a way that doesn't create mess, and for that I am grateful. But on balance they are a curse.

And yes, as usual mumsnet is full of model parents who are able to happily regulate their children's use of it, but in my experience (and all parents I've spoken to) this moderation is accompanied by screaming rows and insistence that "all my friends are allowed to play ALL DAY".

It depends entirely on the types of games, what the kids are doing and how it is being managed.

There seem to be a lot of parents on here whose kids can happily play for a couple of hours, come off when told, and go and do something else just as well in their free time. Brilliant. But there are many others whose kids turn into angry weeping messes (my nephew's one of them - when he's been on the console too long he is just horrid and totally unlike himself) and it needs to be controlled properly.

I'd say the same if they had the same reaction to books, crochet and painting but they don't.

jacques you have a daughter, it's not the same, trust me.

@Mintychoc1 that’s quite the argument. Maybe your boundaries are your issue rathe than the sex of your kids

There are lots of positive things. My DS1 (17) started with console gaming, moved on to PC, now writes code and built his own PC at 13 and is off to Uni to study Computer Science/Software engineering. He is very quiet and has a bit of social anxiety (not gaming related) but is very animated and chatty when on-line with friends.

DS2 (16) got a real interest in history from gaming and is a bit of a boffin on the byzantine empire. he was quite a heavy gamer for a while but not so much now and what he does play tends to be history based games.