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

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[HannahLI]

I think for me what would be helpful would be a brief synopsis of the game, what it is and how you play, what age group is it suitable for, is there anything that I might need to know about that might depend on the child playing it. For example when my son started playing minecraft he kept getting killed and very upset about it, I didn't even know that you could happen as I thought the game was about building. Someone else helped me to change the mode into a version where you don't get killed. This would have been great to have a head up on.
At the moment the console isn't connected to the internet but it would also be useful to be aware of how players communicate with each other, what to look out for in this or advise?

[danigrace]

Recent trends in games would be good - with safety and things to look out for in those games as well as how to get involved

[sharond101]

I think this would be useful as Iam not at all familiar and would like to know what is suitable for my children's age.

[Adversecamber22]

I'm a lifelong gamer, parental controls are easy on Xbox.

Levels of interaction can be set on Xbox settings messages can be blocked so never received nor do you have to listen to the crap that is spouted in open lobbies and some is eye wateringly offensive. Do badly and have the misfortune to be in a lobby with a weirdo that may threaten to fuck your Mom or if your a woman you may receive a rape threat. I have been called a whore in an open lobby.

In some games you must play online, games like The Division, Destiny, Sea of Thieves. It quite clearly states this when buying.

Fortnite is the big game currently, it is amazing how many ten year olds are in open chat lobbies or will send party invites to complete strangers.

There is no real problem with the actual games though some levels of gore and violence may not be for everyone. There is an issue with the occasional appalling gamer hiding behind the anonymity of their gaming set up.

Some games are hard to play without talking to other people. If people, have young dc then those dc just mustn't go in to public lobby chats. My DS was never allowed in open game lobbies when very young.

Anyone who's child is playing fortnite on Xbox needs to ensure that the child starts a party and it is set to invite only. They will not hear another player at all.

It is incredibly easy to look on YouTube for instructions on all aspects of console set up and games reviews. Reddit is a good place for in depth information on what a game is like just google name of the game plus redddit. I would also recommend Forbes gaming.

All games have an age guide on them it's really easy to follow.

[DisgraceToTheYChromosome]

Online safety first and foremost. Does the platform have a chat feature? If so, is it text or multimedia? A child known to me was sexually abused through Xbox Live.

Then: freemium games. Free to install, but containing in-app purchases necessary to progress. A friend's spend over the last two years is in excess of £5,000. That's not a typo. He can afford it, but others can't.

Gore. Half Life 1 had enormous quantities, coupled with NPC screaming.

[NeverTwerkNaked]

My biggest worry is definitely internet safety and how to protect them from games that connect up to the internet. It feels like a huge unknown to me.

My other worry is how to carefully manage the content of games and asses which will be suitable.

[Sugarhouse]

I definitely think education on why age appropriate games are important. Too many kids play games way to old for them. Also importance of setting time limits. It’s such a shame when you hear from teachers how small children spend all night playing games that are very inappropriate

[Thatjew92]

I think there's already enough videos across the internet with more than enough information in them. All the questions people have were answered by youtubers and are easy to find.

[MetalMidget]

I definitely think education on why age appropriate games are important. Too many kids play games way to old for them. Also importance of setting time limits. It’s such a shame when you hear from teachers how small children spend all night playing games that are very inappropriate

Funnily enough, I worked at a games shop when I was a student, and the number of parents who thought that the age ratings were related to difficulty rather than content was shocking.

I remember one mother being particularly appalled as I described the content of Grand Theft Auto Vice City - she turned to her son (who was about 8 or 9) and said, “You told me it was a racing game!” He did not look very impressed with me as his mom looked for something more suitable.

Most parents would just shrug and say, “They hear worse in the playground”, which made me wonder how rough the schools were...

[TheGirlWhoLived]

How about a q and a from someone parent friendly at game or somesuch? I worked in game station for a long time before it was bought out and parents were generally clueless!

[WowOoo]

I'd like to have a checklist for content and why the ratings are as they are. Is it violent etc? Also would like to know about safety concerns.
There's a good website that explains about the contents of books and films and TV programmes - it gives examples of content and lets parents decide if it's appropriate for their child. Something on a par with this but about games would be good.

[TheWizardofWas]

I thin it should cover it all - from differences between consoles to the types of games that exist and how they are played. Would be useful to have stuff about which ones push you to spend more money on them, which ones push advertising - all the stuff you dont know until you really get involved in the game.

[FoofFighter]

MeetMeInMontauk Thu 17-May-18 06:01:14

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.


This!!

Sick of seeing posts on here from parents who have no idea what they are on about complaining their children are addicted to games that they let them play for hours on end without the knowledge of how to even operate the parental locks, how to make games safer, outsmarted by their children who have a better knowledge than they do.

Parents need to educate themselves properly, and not simply allow free access and then blame the games themselves!

[Didiusfalco]

I think I would be fine with picking a console, as there are only so many options, but I’m totally clueless about games. They can be really expensive so I would want to make sure I was spending wisely on something that could be played with a lot but also I would want to know it was suitable for the age of my child.

[WiseOldElfIsNick]

I'm a lifelong gamer, so I wouldn't really need much help personally, but I think you need a range of things in different categories.

How to choose a console (and what else might you need).

How to get online (or not) and stay safe.

How suitable are games for different ages?

Reviewing the latest games.

Parental controls.

Discussing the pros and cons of gaming.

[Sierra259]

Definitely advice about parental controls around blocking buying add-ons and open chat options and how to do it on different consoles.

[Playdohnut]

I'd be more interested in a series on keeping your kids safe in games. E.g. Roblox and the chat facility, how do you set it up to avoid inappropriate stuff. How do you try and avoid "bad"/sweary teams, avoid griefing/trolling in games, or do you just not let them do that sort of game? Fortnite, I've seen loads of play-throughs on YouTube, not interested in that. More interested in "parents guide to looking after your kids and teaching them to look after themselves" game-specific content.

[1969angep]

We're at the stage that Lucas only uses the tablet for YouTube (kids) and Minecraft. We only let him play Minecraft in creative mode - my biggest concern would be about cyber bullying etc from "friends" within video games. I'd want to know about parental settings and making gaming as safe as possible

[hannahbjm]

I am quite computer and console savvy but I would like to know more about safety and parental controls and keeping kids safe online

[condepetie]

Definitely talk about what games are actually appropriate for young children - I've seen a lot of posts about very young children saying "but ALL my friends are playing Fortnite/whatever!" Maybe a discussion about whether that's actually true would be good.

[kateandme]

quick question and answers on games.also summery of what the content is on them so we can decide whether they are ok enough.so we can se if a particular subject might effect certain kids.as they are all and can all cope differently with things.
clips.
top tens on different category games.
warning or certain hints of content some kids or parents will know to be triggering or not right for their child.swearing..abuse...nudity...army move...may contain nuts etc etc
category even to get hints on tips to play the gam with your kid so you can join in with them.
where to buy
reviews of consoles as it a mindfield with the choices.
summery of current lingo and terms our kids are speaking from certain games lol!

[ifigoup]

Doesn’t this already exist? A guy called Andy Robertson who writes as GeekDad and Family Gamer already does it.

[HoneyDragon]

Euuuurgh no thanks. Having seen the way parents treat sensible advice from gamers on mnet offering don’t bother.

The children playing games too old for them are always child geniuses with very mature attitudes anyway.

And other parents think anything with a screen is bad full stop.

What parents with what age group of children are you aiming for?

There are plenty of resources available for parents if they choose to use them already available tbh.

(I would condone a video explaining how not to be the idiot that sets up an adult account for a young child with your card details logged in and then gets angry when said child spends £750 in two days though).

[WinkyisbackontheButterBeer]

Something on e safety that is kept up to date would be good. It all changes so fast.

[StickChildNumberTwo]

I'd like basic info about the most popular games (what they are, what age they're suitable for, any particular things to watch out for). At the moment I'm clueless (I know Fortnite exists and some people worry about it but nothing more than that) and as the kids get old enough to be interested it would be good to have a go to to get up to speed.