Am I the only parent who won't allow an xbox, DS or playstation in the house?

[MINIBondGirl]

Am I being unrealistic in this issue as I only know a very few parents who feel the same? Having seen other children playing on them (sometimes looking like zombies and getting headaches) I am really put off. I know some parents restrict usage and don't allow unsuitable games but a lot don't.

As my boys are 4 & 7 I would rather they played outside, used their imaginations and concentrated on school for now.

Realistic or not?

There's always someone trying to catch out a teacher

I didnt have to try hard TBF!

Call it tiredness. Typo. I'm pg. Shoot me. (you've probably got an XBox handy...)

I'd call it not knowing the difference between affect and effect.

I dont play computer games actually, I find them boring.

Equally...rather than just assuming that because they are called games that they are all meant for children, parents should educate themselves about video games before buying them, rather than buying whatever their kids pester them for.

I would never let my child play an adult rated game, any more than I would let them watch a 'video nasty' [old gimmer]

There are some horrible games, just as there are many, many more horrible films. I work in the industry and we as employees recently voted against publishing a title because we just didn't want our company's name associated with it. But those games are in the tiniest minority, they just get all the Daily Wail coverage unfortunately.

Amberleaf, that's the trouble, they're really boring. And a whole load of children are growing up thinking that something really boring is actually fun.
It's pitiful.

No, they are boring to me but then I find lots of things that other people enjoy boring-individual taste and all that.

To those that enjoy them...they are fun.

It seems a very strange statement to me, clearly they are not boring or they wouldn't be a problem!!
Boring is subjective to the person I find football, motor racing, shopping and soap operas boring, clearly other people don't so it is utterly ridiculous for me to say they are really boring and people just grow up thinking they are not!

vesela everyone has their own tastes and computer games are as diverse as books, films and music are. I find some games boring (football, driving, fighting) and some fascinating and involving (roleplaying, strategy, civilisation-building). Not all games are boring.

i would be interested in how many of you allow your children to watch soap operas, and discourage their children from playing games....i find soaps more depressing, violent and disturbing...at least from a game you are mostly aware of its content, they shoot at targets, gain levels, collect coins and p wings and what it is about..a soap i am afraid to say is more harmful imo....they are at it with eachother, whose the daddy, violent murders, abortions, incest, rape..the list goes on

hear hear doormat!!

Well said, doormat. We don't have tv at all and plan to continue with that.

thx girlies i find soaps more emotionally harmful to children..so ppl who allow their children to watch soaps or jeremy kyle can get off their sanctimonious arses and not look or talk down on me because i allow my child to play games...i am waiting for the "dont watch soaps, or play games" brigade to pounce

ps we have a tv but its needed to play games on....50 inch is more appealing than a 14 inch monitor

Well said indeed Doormat. I send my DS up to his room at 9 (to play x-box) so that I can watch progs with sexual content etc. He also enjoys playing skateboard and football games on there, so those who tar all games with the same brush are missing the point a bit.

Agree that soaps are full of unsavoury things and send out a terrible message about what 'normal everyday life' is like. DS likes Corrie and this week is whining to stay downstairs and watch the 9pm episodes. There's nothing too scary in these ones, but the rape storyline a few months ago raised lots of questions which I felt a bit sad about having to answer at his tender age.

At least with x-box he knows its not real, but soaps can be quite convincing as you get to know the characters - the settings are so mundane they come across as 'realistic'.

"Well said indeed Doormat. I send my DS up to his room at 9 (to play x-box) so that I can watch progs with sexual content etc. He also enjoys playing skateboard and football games on there, so those who tar all games with the same brush are missing the point a bit."

How old is he?

seeker my ds3 is 11 and very mature for his age...he has elder ds and dd's with 16 yr age gap..he plays xbox live and ps3 live with his brothers in law on cod, modern warfare..fifa 12, indiana jones etc ....the only times he can play cod or mw is when his brothers in law are online....

I think I'd rather my 11 year old was downstairs watching post watershed TV with me!

But I have a no screens in bedrooms rule which my 16 year old has just successfully negotiated a change in for herself!

i dont seeker....i would rather my child be monitored by family when playing these games as i have said ds is very mature for his age...he hardly plays on his xbox or ps3 as he is too busy out with his friends building dens and riding on a bmx track...the only programmes we watch together are restoration man, location location et all as he is extremely interested in building properties and what it entails....(engineering side)....he has always been interested in how objects work and takes pride in dismantling object like bikes, motorbikes and putting them back together....he is the only child of mine that has been able to create a complete bmx bike (gears, brakes etc) from the age of 5....because of his interest in engineering i requested an engineering friendly high school in our area..he was the only child in his class to be accepted....i am extremely proud of him as he is a very good boy that has never been in any trouble, he is kind, considerate and has respect for his family and others...just because he plays cod or mw with his brothers in law online does not make him out to be violent, agggresssive etc....far from it

You're not the only person in the world. We won't be buying anything like that for DD and we will be sticking to that rule.

When we were growing up "everyone" had a colour TV and Video player in their bedroom (giving my age away!). But we weren't allowed one until our late teens and it didn't do us any harm.

Well, given a choice between my 11 year old watching "Never Mind the Buzzcocks" and playing Call of Duty, even if he is playing with older siblings, I know which I'd choose!

Haven't had chance to read the whole thread, but will later. I was definitely of the same view as OP. my boys are now aged 15 and almost 17. We finally allowed a playstation3 the Christmas they were 10 and 12. They have never had DSs or gameboys. I also restricted tv viewing to weekends and school hols only. These have been great decisions! The boys are great readers, love playing outside, and are doing really well at school. Ther is no 'must see' tv programme, and they do their homework to a really good standard, because there's nothing in particular to rush off for! When they were younger, this also gave them the time to play with all the toys they had. Would definitely do the same again, and both boys agree! Let's see how unpopular I am now with mumsnetters!! (still won't allow 18 games either!)

Mindgone

"let's see how unpopular I am now with mumsnetters'

Given that there are millions of mumsnetters and hardly any are on this thread I am not sure you will be able to gauge that. For my part I don't give a toss.

Mindgone- may I kneel at your altar of perfection?

I bought a Wii, DH bought a PS3. Occasionally the DDs (6 & 3) play on them...:) They do like playing on my laptop & phone though. They don't have a DS though, mainly as they haven't asked for one & I don't see the point...

Anyway, I think basically computer gaming in whatever form is part of modern life, & learning to use technology & being comfortable with it is the most important skill after being literate & numerate.