How Do/Would You "Do Video Games" For Your Children?

[isturbo1984]

I was just wondering how you as a parent, "do video games," for your kids. Or if you were a parent, what your plans would be. Full disclosure, I am not a parent (that I know of). But I had something I wanted to get off my chest. Before I tell my tales, I wanted to first knowledge this might trigger existing parents out there.

It seems that in this age, a thing parents do is "generation gate" their kids for some reason. I don't think they do it intentionally, but it is still a shitty thing to do, lol. Forcing your child to go an entire generation of gaming by gating them to a last gen system. What bothers me the most about this is that its gamers doing this. Not non-gamers who don't know anything about video games.

Idunno. What do you guys think? My kid is going to have access to current gen vg technology at all times. I'm not going to make it wait until the generation afterward to get him an old ass system he can play with his friends on for about a year before the new machines come out, lol. In the very least, would share. I mean systems can host multiple profiles. What brought this whole thing up is my friend told me he was going to be getting his kid a PS4 for Christmas this year. It will be his first current gen system. Up until now, the little guy was rocking just a 360. I just think that is wrong to do to your child as a gamer.

[Thatoneuser]

I would allow my child access to any gaming consoles I own at the time on a separate account. When it comes to what games they can play I would only allow games that I thought were appropriate but I would be fairly lenient for example I would let them play Call of duty around the age of 12 if they were as mature as I was at that age (which isn't a very high standard).

I would also try to play games with them often because of how even just playing video games with a child can be a good bonding experience it could be.

[JackofTears]

Since I'm a gamer, I'd try the game out or watch Youtube videos to get an idea of what the gameplay was like, read a couple reviews, and then make my decision like an informed adult.

As for what systems they'd have access to - whatever systems I own. I will not buy them a bunch of consoles, new or used, but I will listen to their input if I decide to buy one for the house. I would tend to encourage the kid toward PC games, however, since there is much less of an issue with backward compatibility and system disposability.

[Animusisters]

If they pick it up on their own, I would let them have it in moderation. My worries would be more about their first online experiences, with all the shit going on.

[Zenryu]

I may "generation gate" if they start off really early. I had my first gaming experience at 3 and didn't care or think about the medium. Otherwise, I'd probably allow one of any console per gen, unless they choose PC, and have them stick to it as I wouldn't want to buy every console each gen. I'd probably monitor what they play in the beginning and give them more freedom as they get older and if I feel like they are mature enough to play certain types of games.

[Noobc0re]

Kids are dumb as rocks. Just put them in front of a clicker and they'll be good for a few years.

[Musou Tensei]

I will never be a parent but I would give my child my old stuff, at around 6 or so he or she would get my NES to learn to appreciate the basics of gaming, once I feel it is ready for the next generation I will give it my SNES and Mega Drive and so on. I'd also introduce it to PC games of each era. I think at the age of 12 it should be ready for a modern system. Age rating wise I will decide what is appropriate, thing is for example in my country Oblivion was a 12+ game (uncensored) but I do not think every 12 year old is ready for it, I would decide these things on how my child develops and matures.
Of course, if it saves up money and decides to buy a modern system earlier than I planned to introduce, I would not intervene.

But like I said, I will never be a parent, I'm aromantic and have no plans on having a family whatsoever.

[Aimway921]

Not a parent, but I do this with my little sister (she's 7 right nkw). I only have a PC, BTW. She enjoys watching me playing some games, especially Skyrim, Team Fortress 2, Hearts of Iron 4 and Minecraft (I have more games but these are the ones she likes watching me play). She seems to especially like Team Fortress 2.

And honestly, my opinion is - if they like it, let them play it. Unless it's complete garbage that isn't worth spending money on, that is.

About the "generation locking", if I understood correctly you meant like last-generation consoles/PC, right? Well, honestly, that depends on the budget. I certainly won't be able to share my console with my future kids or my sister, because I don't have one and don't plan on having one, cuz as I said - I'm a PC player.

[Aimway921]

Ah, now that would be impossible, since I am not "advertising that I am retarded" for I am not retarded. It is you, however, who made the unbased assumption that I am, and so I am asking why.

[isturbo1984]

I think fanboys are retarded. I'm calling it what it is. I'm not playing semantics. Answer the question or conversation over. lol I'm not doing verbal gymnastics with you in the way you are playing mental ones just so you'll answer the damn question

[Aimway921]

Alright, conversation is over then, since I'm afraid I can't tell you why am I doing what I am not doing.

[Irritablesquid]

I used to play Minecraft with my little brother, there's a 12 year difference between us.
Mario was also fun and so was terraria

[True Sight]

1. Let them play f.e.a.r.
2. Spend thousands in therapy due to trauma

[Trusted_One]

i am not even close to being a parent but right now however if i had a child i would not let them play video games. In my experience kids who play video games at a early age such as Mario, Zelda, or smash bros end up being social outcasts as well as anti social. (IN MY EXPERIENCE AND THE PEOPLE THAT I KNOW I AM NOT MAKING A BLANKET STATEMENT) I am well aware that this isn't true for everyone who plays video games at a young age but due to what i have seen i would not allow a child to play video games until they are much older in hopes of avoiding my child sitting at a lunch table alone playing Mario Odyssey like some people i know do every day that is just my opinion on it.

[Trusted_One]

i was 8 when i got my first console and no i wasn't a social outcast but i didn't enjoy party's or dances. i was just speaking from my experiences and the people i know im not trying to say that video games are detrimental to kids i think its the opposite. i personally would prefer if my kid took a sport as a hobby it has all the benefits of gaming and promotes discipline and character as well as fitness.

and yes if my child did get into games i would of course set limitations i think its just preference on how you want to be a parent.

[isturbo1984]

So your first vg console was at a young age. I assume you played video games before that. You weren't a social outcast because of it. Your observations about others surrounding you don't apply to yourself. You knowledge video games are helpful to children in their development. And yet your conclusion is... "i would not let them play video games."

[Trusted_One]

i wasn't a social outcast because i was indoctrinated into football as well as video games and i favored football over video games i firmly believe a sport is far more beneficial to the development for a child than video games are. as they grow older of course id love to play video games with them just not from a young age. my final conclusion is " i would prefer a sport for my child over video games and will only allow them to play video games when they are older." that's just how i feel on this topic.

[PriestTroit]

Here's how I "did video games" with my kid. Started her on the older systems which used cartridges because kids are basically the most destructive force imaginable. Once/if they've shown they're able to care for their belongings properly (extends to things other than gaming, too), then you'll know you can trust them not to break games for the newer consoles which use discs and whatnot. Basically, if they don't lose all their gameboy games, don't toss around N64 cartridges or whatever, you'll know they probably won't also break or lose your Xbox/Playstation collection.... Also make sure they know how to take the games out of their cases without just ripping them out. That, or get one of those oldschool CD organizers with the disc pockets and a zipper to close it up.

Second, try to avoid systems that are more delicate at first. You remember when you were a kid and you shoved a PB&J sandwich inside of the VCR for unknown reasons? Yeah, same thing will happen to your Gamecube with the exposed disc reader. This extends to the controllers, too. My sister's daughter has gone through an untold amount of PS4 controllers because she must gnaw on them or something. Whenever I go over, her controllers never have the joystick pads intact and they're always covered in some kind of gunk which make the buttons stick.... those things are expensive, you know!

I would honestly say to not give your future kids access to the current gen consoles until they start doing things like cleaning up their toys and keeping them in good shape. One good rule of thumb is if you can trust your kid with a pocket knife, she's ready for a PS4.

As far as the games themselves, you're definitely gonna want to start with something simple. Like reeaaallly simple. Assuming you try to get them playing games around 3 or so when they're more "aware," it's gonna be hard just to get them to actually play the game properly. Actually, probably the best way to start is to let them watch you play instead. 2D games are good and so are 3D games that don't have a Z-axis (looking up and down), but games that are more in the 1st Person perspective are going to be difficult to even move around properly. Contrary to what you might think, Minecraft is NOT a good "baby's first game." Trust me lol. Think in terms of Mario Kart, Crash Badicoot and Spyro the Dragon.

I don't see anything wrong with "Generation Gating." I mean, if someone doesn't want to drop 300-500 dollars on a current gen system, that's their decision. However, I could see how it would be messed up to not allow your kid to play on it if you DID have one to begin with. Destructive four year-olds being an obvious exception lol. Heck, I got a job at 14 after school to buy the games I wanted since my parents didn't want to get the newest and coolest system.

Hope that helped. Go ahead and have a kid already. Ain't that bad and can be fun.