Ralph CarothersFamily friendly gaming
May 14th 2008 20:44
One thing I see/hear quite often as a parent of a young child is how I should have my child avoid a variety of things. Usually, these are things many adults and teens find to be fun. Various movies, TV shows and everyone's favorite whipping horse: Games.
While I was growing up, explicit lyrics in music was the big controversy for the younger generation. In the past 5 years, all I ever hear about now is how damaging video games can be to children. Yes, there are articles that talk about how beneficial gaming can be to children. Largely in our media though they are just looked over. It’s the nature of how American media is done though. Generally positive pieces are brushed aside rather quickly. I experienced that my first time being recorded for a local news station on "internet life." (My wife and I met on the internet, and the interview was to be about the pros/cons of 'net dating.') Basically, they dropped the positive side of the article through editing, and focused heavily on any downsides. It basically made us look more like curmudgeons than anything else.
When you hear about gaming in the media, it’s almost always the same way. It’s generally focusing on the violence of GTA, Doom, etc. Stories such as the Wii helping bring people together in families, or helping the elderly get exercise or lose weight just don't get much play. Any negative aspect you hear will come up for months. As everyone knows I'm a huge gamer, I'll frequently be asked if I'm letting my kid see me play this, or if she plays that...and god forbid I say yes to the wrong question. I don't shield my kid from most things. She's fairly intelligent and if she has a question we encourage her to ask us things. She's seen me play anything from Frogger to GTA IV and she's not swearing or killing kids at daycare, on the contrary, she tends to be considered much better behaved.
So, getting my little rants above over with, let’s move onto the real point here: Family friendly games are out there with plenty to be had.
It doesn't matter what console really you use, with the exception, maybe, of the PS3 atm. (I've said before I don't own one so I'm not entirely sure) 360, Wii, PS2, original Xbox, DS and other handhelds, Gamecube...all of them have easy to pick up and play games out. Almost all of them are multiplayer and all of them are good clean fun.
You have any number of game types to play too: from sports games to board games, quiz shows to card games. Harmonix (Guitar Hero, Rock Band) has made almost exclusively family friendly games that many people can pick up and learn. They focus a majority of their attention on music based games. Nintendo has a ton of party style games out there for people. Mario Cart series, Mario Party, countless party games for the Wii. The list is endless. If you have family members with any type of common interest, chances are good you'll find that interest in some sort of game you can all enjoy.
Even single player, you can find a huge amount of games out there now that really are designed to benefit kids. Everything from things such as the Jumpstart World Series [link], to just your typical RPG. It was RPGs and other games that encouraged me to start reading more, and essentially spring boarded me into reading (and some writing) that I've done over time. I see the same things happening in my child. I have friends who I've heard become interested in learning to play various instruments from playing Rock Band. (The game will jokingly encourage you to as well)
The Wii is even about to get a game that encourages people to lose weight and take care of themselves better through gaming. (WiiFit [link])One of its focuses is on trying to get people to maintain their balance better. (Therefore having a better posture and benefiting your body in general) It keeps a running chart accessible at any time on progress of weight, BMI, etc. They even make it competitive by letting you chart it against other friends/family that play it.
For those parents out there who may be wondering how much trouble playing those games are going to get your child into...I ask: Why worry? Sit down; try the games out with your children. If that’s not your cup of tea....just watch. You should know your child! You can tell what sort of effects it’s having on them. Heck, you can use the effects to your benefit by curbing bad behaviors as you see them appear. When my kid dies in games she can frustrated if it happens over and over, we try to help her curb behavior like that and focus more on figuring out what she did wrong. We try to encourage her to play numerous games so she can develop better coordination. We watch her play with us and others and try to make sure she's actually sharing. We also try to make sure she learns moderation.
Games aren't going to be what causes children to have problems later in life. Not having the family there to actually help them grow up and learn is. Don't be afraid to pick up and try games with the kids, or research what you are buying them. You can find plenty of info just googling it or even looking at the rating on the box.
While I was growing up, explicit lyrics in music was the big controversy for the younger generation. In the past 5 years, all I ever hear about now is how damaging video games can be to children. Yes, there are articles that talk about how beneficial gaming can be to children. Largely in our media though they are just looked over. It’s the nature of how American media is done though. Generally positive pieces are brushed aside rather quickly. I experienced that my first time being recorded for a local news station on "internet life." (My wife and I met on the internet, and the interview was to be about the pros/cons of 'net dating.') Basically, they dropped the positive side of the article through editing, and focused heavily on any downsides. It basically made us look more like curmudgeons than anything else.
When you hear about gaming in the media, it’s almost always the same way. It’s generally focusing on the violence of GTA, Doom, etc. Stories such as the Wii helping bring people together in families, or helping the elderly get exercise or lose weight just don't get much play. Any negative aspect you hear will come up for months. As everyone knows I'm a huge gamer, I'll frequently be asked if I'm letting my kid see me play this, or if she plays that...and god forbid I say yes to the wrong question. I don't shield my kid from most things. She's fairly intelligent and if she has a question we encourage her to ask us things. She's seen me play anything from Frogger to GTA IV and she's not swearing or killing kids at daycare, on the contrary, she tends to be considered much better behaved.
So, getting my little rants above over with, let’s move onto the real point here: Family friendly games are out there with plenty to be had.
It doesn't matter what console really you use, with the exception, maybe, of the PS3 atm. (I've said before I don't own one so I'm not entirely sure) 360, Wii, PS2, original Xbox, DS and other handhelds, Gamecube...all of them have easy to pick up and play games out. Almost all of them are multiplayer and all of them are good clean fun.
You have any number of game types to play too: from sports games to board games, quiz shows to card games. Harmonix (Guitar Hero, Rock Band) has made almost exclusively family friendly games that many people can pick up and learn. They focus a majority of their attention on music based games. Nintendo has a ton of party style games out there for people. Mario Cart series, Mario Party, countless party games for the Wii. The list is endless. If you have family members with any type of common interest, chances are good you'll find that interest in some sort of game you can all enjoy.
Even single player, you can find a huge amount of games out there now that really are designed to benefit kids. Everything from things such as the Jumpstart World Series [link], to just your typical RPG. It was RPGs and other games that encouraged me to start reading more, and essentially spring boarded me into reading (and some writing) that I've done over time. I see the same things happening in my child. I have friends who I've heard become interested in learning to play various instruments from playing Rock Band. (The game will jokingly encourage you to as well)
The Wii is even about to get a game that encourages people to lose weight and take care of themselves better through gaming. (WiiFit [link])One of its focuses is on trying to get people to maintain their balance better. (Therefore having a better posture and benefiting your body in general) It keeps a running chart accessible at any time on progress of weight, BMI, etc. They even make it competitive by letting you chart it against other friends/family that play it.
For those parents out there who may be wondering how much trouble playing those games are going to get your child into...I ask: Why worry? Sit down; try the games out with your children. If that’s not your cup of tea....just watch. You should know your child! You can tell what sort of effects it’s having on them. Heck, you can use the effects to your benefit by curbing bad behaviors as you see them appear. When my kid dies in games she can frustrated if it happens over and over, we try to help her curb behavior like that and focus more on figuring out what she did wrong. We try to encourage her to play numerous games so she can develop better coordination. We watch her play with us and others and try to make sure she's actually sharing. We also try to make sure she learns moderation.
Games aren't going to be what causes children to have problems later in life. Not having the family there to actually help them grow up and learn is. Don't be afraid to pick up and try games with the kids, or research what you are buying them. You can find plenty of info just googling it or even looking at the rating on the box.
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