This is a very long blog, so be sure to have time to read it. This is an article that is on AOL, and they are telling parents on what they should do in order to control what kids play. What do you think about this?
Eight Real Video Game Dangers for Kids
Parents and politicians regularly blame video games for everything from childhood obesity to teen violence. While the science doesn't necessarily back that up -- here are eight real concerns about kids and games.
Video games -- it's the multi billion-dollar juggernaut that's rapidly taking over TV and film as the preferred form of entertainment for an entire generation. Like other 'new' forms of media, games often bear the blame for childhood obesity and teen violence. Science doesn't directly link gaming to one or the other, but parents should stay aware of these eight other real concerns about games.
They can make kids less active
Every year, multiple studies link video games to childhood obesity or talk about how new video games like Wii Fit and Wii Sports are getting kids off the couch and their heart pumping.
Fact is, obesity has never been directly linked to games, but many of the best-sellers keep kids planted firmly on the couch for hours at a time. Out of the top 10 best-selling games for 2008, eight out of 10 are the typical sit down and play kind of games.
A recent study also shows that tween boys and girls are spending 10-14 hours a week playing video games. Without proper motivation to get up and get moving, this can easily lead to kids spending many sedentary hours parked in front of the TV.
PlaySavvy Recommendation: Like anything, moderation is key. Video games, like movies and TV, can be part of a healthy child's life, but parents should set limits on play time and make sure they partake in other activities as well.
They can teach kids poor values
One of the biggest trends in big-name video games recently is the ability to choose to play as either good or evil. You can find this in popular games for the holiday season, such as Fable II, Fallout 3, Spore and more. The player can decide to take the 'good' path, which generally involves nobly helping characters in a game, or they can take the 'bad' path, which may include randomly killing characters in a game, stealing items and more. That's not to say that there aren't consequences for their bad actions in the game - but parents should also be on alert about games with a morality system.
PlaySavvy Recommendation: Learn about video game ratings and keep a close eye on what kind of games your kids are playing. Talk to your kids about violence and have a good idea what they can handle (and what they can't) in their video games (and other entertainment options).
They can be violent
Video games and violence usually go hand-in-hand when it comes to concerned parents and community leaders. While many video games avoid violence, a 2007 study found that games that are rated 'M' for Mature receive the highest scores from game critics and also sell the most copies in the U.S. Best selling games like Grand Theft Auto IV, Gears of War 2, Call of Duty all revolved around using weapons - everything from pistols to rocket launchers -- to kill enemy combatants, usually ending up with some form of bloodshed, or in more extreme cases (as in the popular game, Fallout 3), slow-mo decapitation.
PlaySavvy Recommendation: Learn about video game ratings and keep a close eye on what kind of games your kids are playing. Talk to your kids about violence and have a good idea what they can handle (and what they can't) in their video games (and other entertainment options).
They're expensive
It doesn't take a study to discover that video gaming isn't a cheap hobby. Video game systems can run upwards of $500, accessories cost from $30-$100 and new video games cost $60 a pop. That doesn't even include the money it costs to play these games in glorious high-definition on an HDTV. While there's always a way to save a few bucks -- buying used games, buying a refurbished game system, forego the high-definition TV - buying one console, an extra controller and a game can easily run $300-$600. Not exactly chump change during these tough economic times.
PlaySavvy Recommendation: Know what kind of financial commitment you're getting yourself into before promising your child a game system. You can also buy refurbished game systems, used games or older game systems to save money.
They introduce kids to topics that parents might not be ready to discuss
As formerly fringe entertainment morphs into the new and tantalizing standard, video games (which are usually slightly more conservative than watching nighttime TV programs) can create difficult conversation points between parents and their kids. Most often, the "death, dying, violence and mutilation" topics of video games stop parents dead in their tracks. Kids are curious about death from a young age and many don't have the level of comprehension to fathom what it means. While games rated as E (Everyone) don't delve into the topic, teen and mature games often do glamorize the end of a life as a revenge or reward for the killer. One the other hand, sexuality and nudity are still rare in most games, aside from the occasionally revealing outfit.
PlaySavvy Recommendation: Even if you're not ready to talk about sex, drugs, violence or death, we encourage you to formulate how you'd discuss each topic, before it comes up (and kids will eventually ask). Often, you'll be surprised that most young gamers do understand the difference between in-game events and real world activities.
They become a point of contention between siblings
Like many popular toys, video games can cause strife between siblings. One UK writer reports that she gave her four kids a Nintendo DS handheld gaming system, with the expectations that they would share the system nicely. Instead, she says the system turned her "delightful, curious and funny children into argumentative demons full of aggression." While this is most likely an extreme case of sibling warfare, it also shows how games can cause tension in a multi-child household.
PlaySavvy Recommendation: For a multiple child household, set boundaries and rules for using a video game system. Let the children choose specific times when they will be playing the system, provided their chores, homework and other goals are completed. Let them know that if they fight over the system, that their gaming privileges will be taken away until further notice (and make sure you do what you say.)
They're not as educational as you'd like them to be
While much is made of the educational value of games, from problem-solving to exploring real-world physics, let's be honest -- gaming is a form of entertainment, and won't take the place of a c-l-a-s-soom. Sure, adding up coins and achievement points might be considered simple math but it doesn't really encourage scholastic achievement.
Like movies, many games retell parts of history with a slant towards a more dramatic perspective. The result is a skewed version of the facts. Yet, no popular video game retells history accurately (although the Civilization series does make the topic more interesting). Edu-tainment software attempts to fill the gap but while parents love the concept, children might view it as "interactive homework."
PlaySavvy Recommendation: Education, as well as entertainment, offers a wealth of information, but it's up to the user to figure out what they'll gain from it. Often you'll find that kids do learn some pseudo real-world skills from games. For instance, a popular game like Pokemon teaches younger gamers how to share, is knee-deep with written on-screen instruction and players are encouraged to create battle strategies based on logic and deduction. Plus, remember all those anti-society dweebs who used to play Dungeons & Dragons? Most of them now run the hottest tech companies in the world.
They can be addictive
We don't have proof that all video games are addictive, but they can be for certain types of people. World of Warcraft, an online role playing game that can be played indefinitely, has been cited as one of the most addictive games on the market. Horror stories about players passing out from marathon-like gaming sessions, losing loved ones or just missing out on other activities can be found all across the Web. Just look at the thousands of posts on WoWDetox.com, where users are urged to explain why they quit playing the game. Hospitals and counseling centers across the globe have started to set up official 'computer addiction' services. In the U.S., those who think they have a problem can also sign up for Online Gamers Anonymous, a non-profit 12-step program originally started by a mom whose son committed suicide while playing a game online.
PlaySavvy Recommendation: Like many of the previous recommendations, parents should monitor the time their child spends playing a video games and take action if they suspect their child is 'addicted' to a game.
I think that there are some good points in this article, but I think that they tend to go over the top on a few things. Videogames may be an expensive hobby, but it's not like parents have their share of expensive hobbies too! Games don't have to be educational; we get enough as it is at school. Games can influence and be addictive, and for some it may not be the best thing for them to play; but, it should not be a punishment for those who know better. It's true on what they mean on less active, but Nintendo has taken that into consideration, and it helps people like me to be more active. Before Wii, I was 30 pounds heavier. Now, I weigh between 155 and 160 pounds, so they do have a point with the less activeness. This article is more for smaller children anyways, so hopefully to people or "kids" that are old enough to handle and understand such things won't be punished or judged. As a final thought, know your standards as a person, don't act out on what you play or see, and do something active every once in a while if you get such games where you sit down and play just to shut these critics up. Springer out!!
The stupid power outage lasted for 1 hr. and 45 mins each. You know the thing about losing power is that it brings everyone together, so it was not too bad. I was just sleepy for the rest of the day.
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