When did attitudes to gaming change?

[HappyParent2000]

We hear it all the time now, about parents just not understanding gaming consoles, PC gaming and online multiplayer games,

I’m not a young parent but I’m counting down the years until I can buy my child a Switch.

I play CSGO and other online games in the little spare time I have.

Are we not there yet, to a place where parents understand gaming? How long will it be? Years? Decades?

I don't know. I'm mid thirties and had games consoles as a kid, so have grown up with them. DH makes computer games too, so in our house we have plenty of games consoles and lots of games. The kids are young so only just getting into playing some (mostly Wii games like Mario as they're child friendly and fun for us all to play). I think most parents of a similar age to me understand consoles etc. Growing up I know my mum didn't, I would have thought there is more understanding of computer games now than previously.

I guess the one issue is that how games are played has changed, with the invention of the internet and online gaming. So parents need to make themselves aware of that if their children are playing online. Some parents pay no heed to age restrictions either, but i feel that's more to do with not caring/engaging their brains than with a lack of understanding about how games work etc.

Personally we love games consoles and find game playing lots of fun.

I'm not a gamer (unless Professor Layton counts).

There are 2 big issues with 'modern' gaming:
A) playing over the internet with strangers & conversations - fine for an adult, not so fine for a child
B) some games (e.g. Fortnite) are positively designed to be addictive

Gaming in itself is not inherently good or bad. But addictive games (like anything else done to excess) can be harmful, not so much because of the game but because of all the other things the player is no longer doing.

My DDs are in their early to mid 20's. Neither of them have ever been gamers. They aren't interested. I suspect many people have no interest in gaming. You will always have families who understand it and families who don't.

Each to their own. My children have lots of interests and hobbies but have no interest in gaming.

Also OP you may find your own children aren't too interested in gaming. They may wish to pursue their own interests. Don't make assumptions on their behalf.

There are 2 big issues with 'modern' gaming:
A) playing over the internet with strangers & conversations - fine for an adult, not so fine for a child
B) some games (e.g. Fortnite) are positively designed to be addictive*

This^^
Its not the same as when we used to play a bit of Mario then go out and do something else.
Children's lives revolve around it, if they aren't gaming all they want to do is watch YouTube videos of other people gaming.
I listen to my son playing fortnite with his friends (his console is in the living room) they all get so angry and don't seem to be able to step back and say I'm not having fun I will stop now. No matter how furious they are they carry on. (in my son's case until I step in, turn it off and chuck him outside to play football)

Mumsnet treats gaming like the devils work. Men who game are always classed as lazy, crap fathers and partners. That's just not my experience. My husband has gamed all through our relationship. It's his downtime, which he needs too, so I don't begrudge it. DDs 5 and 7 love it too. But I don't let them play on line, if we are out, and generally make sure their usage isn't excessive. I prefer games like Minecraft that is creative, but it's up to them what they play, within reason.

I'm not sure you'll ever get totally 'caught up' because the technology changes, and so does what appeals to kids. DH and I both grew up with consoles, he still games and I don't, but he's also a teacher and despite gaming has no idea what the kids are going on about with their YouTube gamers they follow, Fortnite (which he's never played) etc.

It's slightly different but similarly I grew up with TV (obviously) and (admittedly slow, dial up) internet, was a Facebook early adopter, but I find the whole YouTuber and Instagram phenomenon unfathomable - I can't imagine why anyone wants to watch videos of strangers narrating their lives.

God even knows what the latest thing will be in 12 years, when DS is a teenager - but I bet I won't get it.