I'm looking for the advice of experienced video gamers regarding violent (M rated) games?

I'm looking for the advice of experienced video gamers regarding violent (M rated) games. I have 3 boys living at home - ages 18, 15, and 12. After 17 game free years, I purchased an XBOX 360 to keep them home more (since they were spending all of their time at their friends' homes playing video games).

They are home more, but now we've been confronted with issues about violent games - after tiring of racing games and the more innocent games, they talked me into Gears of War (M) - killing aliens is harmless enough so I thought. And then they got Lost Planet: Extreme Condition (T), more alien deaths...and now, my oldest son brought home Yikes - now they are killing criminal humans. After viewing it, we took it away; but, all of the boys say that action is hypocritical since killing it killing.

They are good kids and will respect our decision, but I've been giving it a lot of thought. Any comments? Note: we could ban just the 12 year old, but that would be tough to monitor- and all of their friends do have Asked by sciencefun 59 months ago Similar questions: advice experienced video gamers violent rated games Consumer Electronics > Video Games.

Similar questions: advice experienced video gamers violent rated games.

Tame versus Maim Games Wow, quite a dilemma. I am a father of a 6 year old and I don't play any of my "M" games anymore. But, to a point, they have a point.

Killing is killing. The trouble is, the realism that the XBOX is capable of is intoxicating. And while studies disagree with the whole video violence begets IRL violence I think that you know your kids the best.

We do let our child play "T" games, but only if I have played them first and can have a frank conversation about the reality vs. fantasy aspect of it. I am an actor by profession, so it is a little easier for me to explain the difference since my son has seen me in films where I am nothing like I am. Trying to monitor the 12 year old is going to be really hard as you said.

And I hate to say this, since it isn't really helpful, but go with your gut. If you think you have responsible kids who don't have a propensity for trouble then let them play. I know I used to get a lot of stress relief from shooting up Nazi's back in the floppy disk days of "DOOM".

Whatever way you go, good luck. To think, PONG was the big thing when I was growing up. Sheesh.

CHEERS LEONTES .

I think if you've raised your kids to have a good head on their shoulders, they should be fine Not only am I an avid gamer, I have a degree in sociology, where we often talked about the influence of media on the behavior of children. While there is no consensus, I'll give you my opinion and experience. First of all, I commend you that you're taking an active role in monitoring your children's behavior and influences.

If only more parents would be as concerned and proactive, we'd probably have a lot less danger in the world. However, it seems to be almost paradoxical. It seems that the parents who are most concerned about exposing their children to violence are the parents who have also best instilled in their children the morals and common sense to distinguish right from wrong and reality from fiction.

I expect that your active role in your children's lives has helped establish to them the basic morals (i.e. , don't kill people, etc) as well as the common sense to be able to distinguish that killing people in real life has quite a few more consequences than killing people in video games. Can video games cause children to be more violent?

Perhaps, but only because they were more prone to be that way in the first place. If parents have not raised their children well and taught them to be reasonable human beings, of course a negative influence can be had. But if it weren't video games, it very likely would've been something else.

*Life* can teach you violence. Has the world gotten more violent with the proliferation of media? I don't know of any studies about it, but I'd bet that it hasn't.

I guess, overall, my advice would be to allow the boys to play the games, but maintain your active role in monitoring their behavior. If one of them, particularly the youngest, doesn't seem to be able to "handle the responsibility", take that privledge away. But it's better for them to be doing it under your own roof, where you can maintain control and monitor them, than for them to be sneaking away and doing it behind your back.

Sources: My opinion and experience .

Hope this advice helps. Ive been playing video games since the nintendo days and all I can say is I would limit your 12 year old to less violent video games if at all possible but if you cant really stop it you just got to remind him its just a game and don't go acting this stuff out in real life as long as you think he understands you he should be fine but you should change from different video games tell him after he plays a mature game he has to get or play a more family friendly game I don't think its good to limit your 12 year old to constant violent video games as the child's mind is still developing. For your 18 year old he just has to understand its a video game too but I don't see anything wrong with a kid his age playing violent video games as long as he understands its fake.

For your 15 year old he is kinda in between age I think he can play violent video games as long as he understands like the other 2 its faerke but its better to change things every once in a while he should switch to a family friends game like madden or any sports game would work. I started playing violent video games when I was about 12-13 as well and I understood it wasnt real but I also needed a change from every now and then. So I think it would be fine to let them play it but they need to a change to a less violent video game every now and then but with your 18 year old you should let him play as many violent video games as he wants.

Hope that helps :) Sources: my opinion .

Esrb. Com esrb.com has more information on how games are rated and why. But I think giving the 12 year old a little handheld game system with games you choose would be easy enough.

Now for the older kids. I myself was never allowed to play anything above T for teen living in my mom's house but I did anyways, and I think this. Are they talking about violence all the time?

Do they act more violent? If not no harm no foul, but also get them games that have adventure, or whatever they like and go get something that would be "mom friendly" too. Sources: opinion .

Buy Your 12 Year Old A Wii or PS2 well at age 13, my parents said I can play M-Rated games. So, I did. Im here 8 years later fine.

I havent killed anyone, hurt anyone. Haven't been involved in anything violent in my life. I recommend buying your 12 year old a Nintendo Wii or PS2 of his own.It will keep your youngest son away from the xbox.

Video youtube.com/watch?v=fSwrU5ZqPG8 heres the official video game rating system video.

" "Some statistics on violent video games?" "Favorite video games. " "millions of different level video games" "Any other violent acts caused (or influenced) by video games other then columbine? " "How can I get my wife interested in video games again?" "Is playing violent video games bad for you?

" "Is violence in video games a concern? How should we deal with it?" "What video games should not be on the market?

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.