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

I would like help with dealing with bullying through online games, how to deal with what can't always be seen like this, the potential addiction to them and other things. It would be nice to hear some positive things too.

Whatever you have in it, if you include clips of kids playing games please don't stick to gender stereotypes.

In terms of subjects, I agree that in-game bullying and grooming would be a good thing to cover.

I get info already from other sources but important things I've looked up include parental controls - how to set them up and how to change them as I have children of different ages using the same console. Also how and why games have age ratings - there are so many parents that seem to ignore these ratings.

It is not just violence I am worried about in games, it is addiction and their effect on health which I don't think there has been enough research on. I feel both elements in myself and also see it in the kids (I am not anti gaming) - the addictive element where you get "Oh I Just need to do this bit, just need to finish that, need to finish this battle so I can save it, have to log on every day or I lose X,". The bit where it feels like it has the potential to have an effect on your brain is where a game is so repetitive you end up seeing it when you have finished/ when you are trying to get to sleep (like Tetris), where you are so wired up you can't sleep - and also there is the potential for RPS. Apart from that my concerns are ability to interact with others (mine are banned from any game which involves that) and ability to spend money (ditto).

So I would like to see reviews of games that bear all this in mind - not just how violent a game is and what level of violence it as a PP described, but also what addictive elements does it have (Animal Crossing for example has animals make appointments with players to meet up at certain times, when they have to log back in, and I have had a child saying their animal friend will be cross and sad if they don't "meet" them at a certain time).

I would also be interested in how educational a game is, what kinds of things is a child learning from playing it, are there puzzles and challenges or are you just making a little minion run fast and collect stuff.

Ha, I meant RSI, repetitive strain injury, not RPS, which is a fanfiction term!

Great idea!

I would like information in the latest "in" games - can you turn off chat features? Why has it been give the age rating it has? Privacy settings and sharing information etc.

A round up of the best free apps/best paid apps by age group.

I usually play online multiplayer games, where you build your characters and it would be great to know more about how can u build certain characters, faster concentrating on skills.

I agree with HonayDragon

You need to be clear about what age DC you are aiming for, and what type of parent. The responses here suggest interest is for no older than mid primary, and for parents who know nothing whatsoever about gaming.

Also, if you're going to go into age reviews, you need to be clear about what exactly you are doing. Wouid it be simply repeating the published PEGI rating (ie adding no value) or wouid you be trying to set up a full reviewing service such as that provided by sites such as Common Sense Media (a site often recommended on MN, which would answer questions from some posters on this thread)

I like to know the content of games. A simple explanation of each popular game so that I can make an informed choice for my dc

"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."

Several already exist, try CommonSenseMedia

It covers games films, TV, apps, websites and some books.

So something MNHQ needs to decide early on is, are we seeking to innovate (and if so how) or to emulate ?

Agree with @MeetMeInMontauk (DH, is that you...? 😂). It would be good to have a discussion about the benefits of some video games- the problem solving, forming mental maps, perseverance etc. Just generally educating people that video games are as valid a form of entertainment as films, books, TV shows, but like these things, different ones are suitable for different audiences. So also more discussion about the age ratings and WHY they are there.
Content, perhaps- I guess if you’re not someone who is interested in video games you may not know where to find those reviews online. I suppose mumsnet is the ideal place as a trusted resource for parents.

I'd like to know more about parental controls.

how to set parental controls?
trends in teen/young adult gaming so we as parents can be aware of what kids are getting into?
common pitfalls with popular games or things to be aware of?
ideas for educational games, active games (like dance mat/wii fit)?

As a gaming family I'd want some more awareness raised on certificates and online multiplayer and the dangers that come with that.

Also some coverage of how to set timers on consoles and pcs, and how to avoid using your card to make purchases as these details are saved can be easily used again.

Streaming apps need looking at too. I'm a streamer and play games on a webcam. I've blocked my son doing this though. Younger children are open to abuse when streaming and many have access to the equipment to stream using a kinnect, putting then right out into the world. Using an xbox and ticking a box means your kids can be watching 18+ streamers.

If you want a hand give me a shout.

Reviews of games and realistic advice of which age groups they are suitable for. I also agree with others and I could learn more about parental controls.

I'd like reviews of various computer games with ratings showing how violent they are and what age group they would be suitable for, as well as promoting the games that have an educational value.

Personally for me I feel quite tech savvy however for people like my mum who has two young boys thisnwould be great!
She hasn't got a clue 😂To the point where I worry about what they're being exposed to!

Games do come with a rating system you know...

I am a gamer myself and have 4 dc, 3 that play on phones, tablets and consoles.

As consoles require subscriptions to access features like multiplayer, it would be useful to explain how these subscriptions work, if there are family subscriptions, what type of gamer accounts are available, such as child, teen and adult.

Explanations on the types of privacy controls available and how they work, for example with microsoft accounts that are used to create xbox gamer accounts, you can set times children can log into accounts, times they are cut off, and adjust these times depending on the days of the week. This particularly useful when there are multiple children waiting for turns. There is no arguing with an account that has been logged off at the end of a turn!

Sharing of studies into video gaming, with the positives and the negatives, in relation to neurotypical children and neurodiverse children.

In app purchases is a big bug bear of mine. Gone are the days where you bought a game and that was that. Now there are download packs, skin packs, theme packs, map packs and much more. Apple store has a section where it lists games that you pay once for, so the games are more expensive but once you have bought it, thats that.

Information regarding the likes of google play library, that allows you to add family members so you can share any purchases that qualify for the library with other family members, instead of having to buy apps repeatedly.

A list of some cast iron, tried and tested gaming apps per age group to get parents started when purchasing a device for their children. Such as angry birds, subway surfer and the like.

Advice and tips on how to introduce children to gaming, when limits can and should be applied, child friendly information or printable poster on ways to keep themselves safe on line, such as not giving out personal information.

I'd like to know about the appropriate age games for DD. Also how to keep her safe online.

Which console suits which age range best

Anything to watch out for like being able to run up bills by buying things through a game, or people being able to send messages through a game

are parental controls available?

How to limit the use particularly with children who tend to get obsessed, how to help them to stop and transition to something else, understanding this is an activity that can only last for a certain amopunt of time.

Everything in proportion is fine.

Great idea, advice on parental controls would be great