Non BPI-video games

[TNT1999]

Another thought I just had would be to check with the Pediatrician b/c I remember reading something about how some TV shows and video games are physically not good for the eyesight b/c of something about the speed at which the picture changes / colors / contrast, etc. Sorry, I don't remember it too well, but I know the show was getting at not starting with TV and video games too young due to health risks. -Tina

[jennyb]

Here's an article about the effect these games can have http://www.observer.co.uk/international ... 66,00.html personally I think there are a lot of other factors at work here, and when my son (8) plays I encourage him to play with friends or I'll even play with him myself rather than let him play alone. I cut him down (reluctantly- He loved playing so much!) after his new school here in NZ insisted that video games were affecting childrens work and social skills (he goes to a Waldorf school here, he didn't in the UK ) and after 18 months of gradual reduction in playing time he now only plays half an hour every other day....I did this just to go along with the school philosophy, I honestly didn't think it would change him, but it has. The funny thing is, sometimes he doesn't even bother to play the computer games when he IS allowed to nowadays, he's learned how to play like a little boy, he has built a tree house with his friends, got really good at soccer, cricket and hockey and spent the money he had been saving for a Playstation on a skateboard. The best thing for me is that he is NEVER bored-yesterday it was cold and rainy, I thought he'd beg for computer time but instead he made a stop action animated film with the video camera and his sister's Beanie Babies which was hilarious-I'm still not sure how affected by these games children are, but I do know that the time they spend playing the games is time they aren't spending just being a kid and doing all the things and developing interests they may never try when they get older. The other thing is-I NEVER hear him say 'I'm bored'-even when we go camping in the wilds with no electricity (which used to be a major pain in the past) now he doesn't even ask to bring his Gameboy-he climbs trees, hunts eels in the river and rides his bike.
One thing I've often wondered-why are my daughters not that interested in computer games? The 14 year old can and does play them, but once she's mastered them she stops playing, she doesn't seem to get 'addicted'....and my 3 yr old girl never even looks at the computer-are all girls like this?

[CW1992]

Jenny - thanks for posting the link to the article. I really love learning about stuff like that but hadn't thought to research it on my own before. My girls both do love playing gameboy, video, and computer games, so I guess it's not just a boy thing. They can't wait to spend their quarters on games either - Taxi driver, car races and some ambulance game where you try to save Jack - ever heard of that one?
I liked your statement "but I do know that the time they spend playing the games is time they aren't spending just being a kid and doing all the things and developing interests they may never try when they get older". That is exactly how I feel. The last time I wouldn't let them play the gameboys and told them to go play outside for awhile - they went outside and caught lovebugs. They put the crew on a boat they made out of a leaf and a couple sticks and played "bug overboard" and would get their nets and save the bugs that fell out of the boat. The boat went through all sorts of weather by them blowing, splashing, making waves. They kept coming up with more ideas - like making a tunnel out of a straw and a bridge out of a popcycle stick (course the bugs were dead way before the bridge was ready). Anyway - I just wanted to thank you for your interesting input.
Christy

[christy]

How creative-- a movie and a game. Most kids today do not know how to entertain themselves but apparently these two groups figured it out. When my children were younger my son enjoyed video games but not to the point of addiction. Me however...I still recall the moment I realized how stressed out I was getting over pac man--and I just aged myself! My daughter never really became interested in the games at all and then when she started having seizures her dr warned us that the flashing lights, the fast pace could actually contribute to bringing on a seizure--not cause it, but bring one on.

We now have grandchildren and while my 8 year could have taught me how to use a computer when she was about 20 months my 2.5 year old could care less except to bang on the keyboard and see what kind of windows she can get to open up and how many times she can freak mamaw out, trying to get the computer to working again. Then again she just discovered the "racing" games at the local pizza shop and is quite in love with them--the faster the better. But I noticed she now reacts when her car is getting ready to crash into a wall--she never had that reflex before.

What video games the 8year old does play with are usually her game boy stuff and that is saved for long car rides, long waits, etc.. I think if we use our judegment with video games as we do other things with our kids they should be ok. If your child is still going outside for exercise, coming up with their own kind of home grown fun, etc..they can't be spending too much time on videos. I like Tina's idea as well--monitor the games first--if is something that you would be horrified to have your child "beleive" in then that would not make it in my house.

[Marnie]

Thank you all for your input. The nintendo was something that Peyton asked for because his cousin has one, and Peyton's grandmother wanted to get it for him for his birthday or for Christmas. But my husband and I have decided to wait a couple more years. We want him to have more time to just play like a 5 year old.

Marnie

[marymom]

Poor ((Marnie)) innocently asking about video game for her birthday boy, but I do think they are a heavy duty subject-
I also wanted to add that talking about video games has been a very good introduction to discussion about drugs(via addiction) in our house...I promote discussing drugs and addiction, drug use with your children, as young as possisble especially if there is any history and statistics say addiction affects boys much more often than girls.
some things I have discussed with my kids have been that both drugs and video games can change the way you feel...feeling being a key word here.
some people are more affected than others.
some people do not want to stop once they are "in " it whether it be a video game or using drugs. These are the people addiction affects more,(duh)
some people can use in a healthy safe way, trying it under supervision(like your first drink or hand held nintendo) is a healthy idea.
sorry so heavy, addiction is a pet peeve of mine as I can say I own it-

[admin]

I think 5 is a little to young. My mom lets me play my gamecube after all of my homework is done and she usally lets me play from 30min to an hour