We want your thoughts on a new MNHQ video series on computer games! - £50 voucher to be won! NOW CLOSED

[EllieMumsnet]

Our video team here at MNHQ are considering creating a video series on computer games - they would be expert led and the idea is that the series would be a helpful resource for parents.

However, before we give the go ahead or not, we would love to find out what you guys think about the idea!

What sort of questions would you like answered? Would you want it to cover more basic stuff like picking a console and understanding online gaming etc. Or more advanced topics, such as explaining popular new releases and trends, advanced tips for parents, and watching e-sports?

Whatever your thoughts/ideas are on MNHQ creating a video series on computer games, please comment on the thread below what you’d like to know about computer games and you will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £50 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

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I don't allow video games at all at the moment in my house but my eldest DC is soon to be 10, I am starting to think I will have to allow some so that he is not isolated socially.

Therefore my main questions that would be helpful to have answered are around how can I best protect my DC, for example:

How and where do I find parental controls to limit play on different consoles/games?

How do I limit or monitor online interaction etc?

How can I find out the actual content of games (eg levels of violence, any need or encouragement to use online elements or RL money or encouraging the player to be a different version of themselves) without having to play them?

Which is the best console to choose to enable parental control & reasonable mix of games/reasonably 'trendy' so DC won't be out of touch socially?

The age ratings on games are not always reliable, what games are best for certain ages and what ones should not be played by children?

If you can find me a suitable game to play while I wait for the next Ratchet and Clank I'd be grateful!

or at least one to last me until Spyro...

in the interests of procrastination, is fortnite suitable to jump into at this point for an adult who is actually supposed to be working, but is finding everything to do but work?

What's better than City Island 2?

Ratchet is

Thanks OYBBK 😂

I would want to know things like what console suits what age, and has the best parental controls. And then how do you know which games are best? And whether to pick an address educational one or just for fun?

Of course, you realise that if I hate it, I'll blame you! 😉

oh no!!! I hope you love it, it's quite a lot of money if you hate it.

picking a console is a good idea, and maybe what the age ratings mean?

I'm pretty tech savvy I think. My son loves his gaming already at 10 I'm hoping he'll try some coding at some point but when I've tried to encourage him to it He says they did some incredibly boring coding stuff at school and he's not interested. I'd like to find ways to get him into it. It's a shame his schoolwork was so boring

As a primary school teacher, guidance for parents about following the age restrictions would be really good!

My questions: what are the parental controls and how easy are they to get around?

We are very wary of computer games. Our kids aren't allowed them at all, but ironically, I would like to allow them to use some, but I simply don't know enough about them. My OH prefers to have the girls playing outdoors and keeping things simple..

Is there educational benefit to it?
How will the programme help kids to measure a sensible time on it? Will there be automatic time out?

What games are suitable for different age groups.
Reminders that there are age restrictions on games for a reason.
If there are in-game purchase options / how these work etc.
Parental controls

are parental controls available and how effective are they.
is there a way to ensure no online interaction is taking place with strangers

What the latest latest fad(s) is/are (e.g. I am guessing that fortnite might feature, but there is bound to be something new by now)

Who are the social media influencers? what ratings (quality, interest AND age suitability, e.g. sweary / attitudes etc) would you give them?

I'd like to know whether games can be played offline, single, multiplayer, online. Whether they require interaction with strangers to get full functionality. If that interaction can be limited and how it happens.

In app/ game purchases, game upgrade purchases and pressure to buy stuff even gadgets to fully enjoy the game experience. So a whole life of game price rather than just initial purchase price.

I'd like to understand the level of violence I.e. lego games you may have a weapon but what you hit falls into bricks, other games players just disappear, some are full on dismemberment and gore.

How to stop kids being totally addicted to screens.

What the latest games to look out for are.

I see a lot of prejudiced, ill-informed hand-wringing on this site about the damage to society/human empathy/desensitisation/little Timmy in general caused by computer games. Inclusion of some balanced, peer-reviewed studies into the problem-solving, complex data handling and social interaction benefits of gaming wouldn't go amiss, thanks.

Are there any underlying educational games that are also simple to play for younger children?

I use Commonsense Media for information on games which is a really useful resource. What I struggle with most is parental controls and how not to be outsmarted by my 11yr old. How to let her watch more teenage material without abandoning all controls.

I'd like to understand how to use parental controls better for consoles, but also for some of the free apps on iPad etc what popular games are suitable for what ages.

As a game dev, I think it's a great idea! I still see a lot of posts denigrating gaming as being something terrible, whereas for me it shaped my life. It introduced me to technology at an early age, inspired my creativity, and gave me my career.

I'd like to see a broad range of videos - ones aimed at gamers (latest releases, etc) , ones aimed at parents of young gamers (parental controls, suitability), and ones looking into careers in making games (both for parents of kids who express an interest, and for women looking for a career change!)