I started gaming at 3, Metal Gear Solid and Syphon Filter. Surprisingly enough, Metal Gear Solid taught me to read, I was always ahead of my classmates in elementary school because of learning to read so early. Man, I can not tell you how many times I've beat the original Metal Gear Solid but I know I still play and beat this game all the time. Some could argue I started gaming at a very early age, And yes I did. But when does the normal child start to read well? I know I was good at reading at age 4, I remember in Preschool the teachers trying to teach these kids the alphabet, Which some of them didn't even know. My mom was barely around when I was younger, and my Dad wasn't even in the picture. It was just me and My Grandma most of the time. She always watched Murder She Wrote and all My Children and those are very boring things for kids my age, So gaming was all I really had unless I wanted to watch my Vhs tapes and I hated rewinding them. So you could say, I hid away from being a lonely child with these games, which I did. I did alot of gaming as a youngin, I remember when the Ps2 came out, I was the first kid on the block to get one. I was so excited, Went over next door to rub it into my best friends face. I remember the first game I got for it was Spiderman because I loved the ones on the Ps1, They were great games. The Second Game though I was much more excited for, Metal Gear Solid 2, Man I was so excited I loved Metal Gear as a child (and still do) this game made me so happy, I didn't beat it as much as MGS1 but I beat it over 30 times and when the Substance version came out I beat it another 15 at least. Gaming memories everywhere, I am just now remembering so many good childhood memories and even remembering the emotions I felt during. Man if I could change I thing, I wouldn't. I am perfectly happy with what gaming has done to me. Also, To all those people complaining about how video games make kids more violent, They don't. I've played more video games than you can imagine and I have never shot, hurt, stabbed, or killed anyone or anything. I can agree though, Games are much more realistic and "gory" now than they were back in the Ps1-Ps2 era Gears of War especially, But I think there needs to be boundaries, I would never let my young child play Gears Of War but I would let him play Halo and alot of other M rated titles. Most parents only see a rating and think because it's Mature it's bad. The rating system is so messed up, In a game you can show People's eyes being ripped out of their skull with a pen but god forbid you showed some sexual intercourse. We all Know sex is worse than murder and merits a higher rating on the scale
I was playing GTA: SA at the age of ten and it hasn't hurt me, apart from the several murder charges i got from having sex with a prostitute and then beating her head in with a baseball bat to get my money back.
Children at the age of about 7 upwards should be allowed to play video games, even though they still dont fully understand whats going on in the video game, there cognitive side of things would of developed to comprehend the simple things that go on in these games. However children as young as 2-6 years need the correct stimulation so the cognitive side of the brain can develop properly, saying this you may not understand but what im trying to say is that children aged 3 need colour stimulation, they need to be spoken to, read too and these video games can not give the child the necessary cognitive development they need. in studies related into video games and children playing such games as GTA, they have come to some stunning conclusions and theories that the children who grew up playing video games from an ealry age tend to be well lets say less mannered than others there age, they seemed to be more agressive and have a lack of communication skills. I personally believe that children aged 7 up is entitled to play video games that enhance leanring instead of distraction from learning and as for the younger children aged 7 down, they need to read books, go out and play or drawing and spellins maybe even draw a picture and explore their own creativity.
Them major difference though is that the most popular games nowadays are all online multiplayer-centric. As far back as the PS1 days, multiplayer meant having a friend bring their controller over. I'm grateful as hell that I didn't play an online game as a child, solely for the sake of everyone else. It's all fine and well letting your 4 yearold play a shooter by themselves, but when they interfere with someone elses gaming experience, that is when below teens is too young
I think a child under the age of 12 can play any game offline. But once 13+ they should be able to play online with other people. You wouldn't want your 9 year old son/daughter getting on XBL or PSN with some of the creeps out there or people who could potentially scam them. I would be fine with my child being 10 and playing GTA, only as long as they wouldn't be online. I played GTA Vice City when I was little! I remember my parents didn't want to buy any M+ games but the guy at gamestop let me buy it without my parents permission! (I was about 10 or 11) It did me no harm at all. Although there are some kids who do take games to serious and throw their controllers and that kind of stuff. If that starts to happen.. *SELLING USED GAMING CONSOLE ON CRAIGSLIST* and giving that ungrateful child the spanking of his life. To teach him how to be responsible and treat things nice. Like how I learned.
I think teaching him by taking things is the best, Then it actually hurts them. When you spank or hit them all you do is give them pain Those aren't the only games, Only the popular ones. You even said it yourself One can argue Zelda isn't a mean spirited game and that's why it didn't affect you. But me, I say those people are idiot. Games are games, as long as your child understands it's all fantasy he will be fine.
completely off topic but i have to say this, i was looking through your sig and you havent even considered watching sailor moon..... in my opinon thats the best anime and in fact i think children aged 7+ should watch this instead of video games as sailor moon has morals at the end and teaches them the basics of life
I got my ps1 taken away and my dad gave it away, I was so upset and I told him I would never throw my controller again. Then the ps2 came out and I got it. I was tempted again to throw my controller but then I remembered what would happen and the consequences. I didn't do it and learned to controll myself from that. I the method you stated also would work. But some kids that I've seen it doesn't help. The kid would constantly repeat it and know he will get it back and most likely do it again. But like I said it depends on the child and if the method would work or not.
I did watch Sailor Moon as a child on(I also had a few VHS tapes ) and so did alot of children. It isn't the best anime, But it's your typical Magical girl anime. I think however american animation can teach the american children morals and Japanese animation can teach the Japanese, We have alot of good shows for children already.
Too true with that, i tend to watch japanese anime as im in Eireland i only have japanese not american anime. but yeah there are too many good shows outhere for children to watch instead of playing video games.
Let them play offline. During my younger aged years I was playing the nintendo 64 mario but when I got to age like 5 maybe, I hit up GTA on the ps2. Those were the days!
Well He also took away the Playstation, I believe that's all he had to do but he also hit you. I'm sure you were more scared of the Ps2 getting taken away then the hitting.
i agree to let them play video games but not on the xbox or playstation, i would personally let my children play on any nintendo game
