This week's GBE2 topic is Control, so that got me thinking. I've written about terrible video game controls, I could just recycle that. But lately, I've been noticing an outpouring of "kids should get off their video games and play outside" type tweets, FB posts, articles, you name it. Yeah, I'm not impressed...
Why? Because just like parents have the ESRB to help them control what their kids play, they also have control over how long. Every console has parental controls that let you pick how long they can play for. If you want to get your kid out of the house, turn off the consoles, hide the power supplies if you need to. Put the systems in the living room, not in the bedroom. It's not the video games' fault. Although, all the "back in my day" FB statuses and tweets seem to think it is.
Even though gaming is a fairly new medium, when it comes down to it, parents are responsible for controlling what and when their kids play. And before video games, there was TV to distract children from the great outdoors anyway.
Who knows, maybe I'm overreacting. But instead of complaining about the "spell" video games have on kids, just tell them go out and play. It works for my son. When people blame the games, it looks like they're the ones who aren't in control.
RIGHT ON!! WOOT WOOT love your spirit..and your discernment : )
ReplyDeleteWith you all the way. If you want your kid off the console, tell them you are turning it off at the next save point and that is that. You are the parent, act like one. *Grrrr* People annoy me on this issue! Great post :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Thank you. It's amazing that these days, kids need encouragement to go outside and play. More parents need to remember this and take a firm stand if necessary! Kudos to you!
ReplyDeleteSo true! Too many kids these days are way too wrapped up in these games either on WII or on the computer. They don't use their imaginations or their bodies in play like we did and that is sad...
ReplyDeleteGood for you in helping your children get back to being children!
@Marian it's not that playing games is bad. I don't think getting wrapped up in a game is sad at all. My son and I play games all the time.
ReplyDeleteMy problem is with parents blaming the games for their laziness, just like when they buy an M rated game for a young kid and then call it "evil". I grew up playing a lot of video games, but I did other things too. :)
I have a tv in my room but my daughter (who's four) can't have a tv in her room. I know parents who let their four year olds have a tv in their room and that's just not ok with me: I have trouble enough with getting my daughter ready for the day as it is without her loosing sleep cuz she was watching tv too late at night.
ReplyDeleteI keep my video game console in the living room too: and once my daughter is old enough, she's not allowed to have her own computer in her room until she's 18. When she's a freshman in high school, I'll have a laptop especially for her but I'll tweek the parental controls and I'll have the passwords and everything. No way is she going to be allowed to have either a computer in her room, and her cell phone will have parental controls that I'll have the passwords to as well. I have a very pretty daughter and I am NOT looking forward to when she's old enough to date! I'm one of those "lock her daughter in a tower until she's 30" moms lol
The Kate Escape GBE2: control
AMEN! Some parents are determined to place responsibility anywhere except for where it belongs--solidly with them. What kids do, wear, and eat are all within the control of their parents--if the parents are willing and able to step up and do what they should be doing.
ReplyDeleteFantastic post!
This is a GREAT post. Some parents are so lazy. Step up and take responsibility, already. It's simple.
ReplyDeleteYes, get them outside to play...
ReplyDeleteLazy children often have lazy parents. It doesn't matter which form of entertainment exists whether video games or television or whatever. If our kids aren't outside playing or reading SOME of the time than it's our own fault as parents. Plus, I don't understand what's wrong with letting kids decide their own fun time. I didn't play outside; instead I read in my room. I turned out pretty damn healthy.
ReplyDeleteSomehow the whole video game phenomenon missed me completely. But I get what you mean. It would be like if kids were obsessing over playing Monopoly or Life for 8 hours at a time. The games themselves aren't bad. Everything in balance and moderation.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I be a Harry Potter nerd too. word. ;)
I have to "ditto" Steven - it's all about balance. And it's the parent's responsibility to instill balance in their children's lives until they're old enough to balance it themselves.
ReplyDelete