What age for computer games

[jelly79]

What age did you let your DC play computer games. My DS is 4.5 and talkers about computer games and watches them being played on kids YouTube

But he hasn't asked for one and I think he is too young.

Thing is he will be around kids who will get some this year (younger) and I feel like I should get him one (likelyhood is I won't) I just think he should be older...

DS1 was around 6 yo when he was first introduced to gaming. DP got a new xbox so DS was given his old one. He looked after the console and he really enjoyed playing and was really good at it. The first games he played were the lego marvel ones. DS2 was 5 and played with DS1 a lot but wasn't as interested as ds1 was.

I would wait until he asks, tbh. My DS started playing Sonic on his dad's console at 4. He was a bit older before he asked for a game himself. Probably 6 and he got into Skylanders. He also used to play on my DS at the same age. But it wasn't often. At 10 we got him a Switch. My DD got into games during Lockdown so she was 8. She started playing Minecraft. She now has a Switch Lite that she plays Animal Crossing on.

Any age is OK as long as it's appropriate and monitored.

I wouldn't give a 4 year old unlimited access to a games console.

But if I had something like a Nintendo Switch with Mario Kart, I'd certainly let them have a go every so often.

It's all about moderation and you have to put limits in place the same as you would with any other screen time.

I didn't fully read your post. If you don't already have a games console in the house then I wouldn't buy one just for a 4 year old, especially if he's not even asking yet. They are expensive and a 4 year old will not get enough out of it, they're not likely to have good enough understanding and fine motor control to really do it.

If you had one that you or your partner use then I would say let him play. But he's not really old enough to justify having his own, I'd say about 6/7 for that at the youngest, and then you still need to put limits on the amount of time playing.

Thank you all! I think the same - a few years time. I was just worrying he would see some of the others getting them and be disappointed but he is just too young now

Mine started playing playstation with his dad over in the first lockdown at 5.

He got a Nintendo switch at 6. He seemed to get into it on the slightly earlier side. Lots of his friends are only just getting consoles now they are turning 7.

The switch is a great first one. We have the one that plugs into the TV so it's something we can be involved in even if we don't all play at the same time.

@Tigersteakpie thank you!! I think 7 is a good age too :) it is a switch I'm referring too

I would consider it as seven. But only for chilly mobile games maybe, without blood and gore. Something that will allow your child to develop his skills and imagination.

Games like minecraft or maybe terraria can help your child. But for terraria I personally used the service https://upgrader.gg/en/ that allowed me to upgrade FPS (frames per second) for my little eight-year-old bro. For his good marks at school he is allowed to play now sometimes on my computer :3

But I am definitely against children who are playing computer games in a very early childhood. And I do not understand parents who allow their children to use mobile phones at age of four or five.

My grandson is five and loves playing computer games but he doesn't really do them properly he just runs around and does what he wants rather than what the game wants him to do. He's enjoying and making slow progress with Disney's dreamlight valley

My Ds got one age 6. I'd say by year 2 most of the kids in his class had Switches - girls and boys.

At his age, I'd suggest a bit of game play on a tablet is fine. Cbeebies do a number of free game apps too.