As we are concerned about our kids playing violent games, something to also be aware of - difficult child told me that his friend H gets lots of swearing and bad mouthing thrown at him when he plays his PS on-line. This is from people he does not personaly know and during a game he is addictive to because he is new to the games and doesn't always make what the other gamers view as wise moves.
difficult child has internet connection with his X-Box and knowing what H is going through, I keep close tabs on him while he plays. He has a set time each time and is pretty good about getting off when he is suppose to. Games are about 10 minutes long so it is easy to turn off the system after a round.
Although I can not hear what the other players are saying, I do hear how difficult child responds. I can tell by his responses if he is being spoken to inappropriately. While some kids may sit and take this verbal abuse quietly (and for those kids you can sometimes watch for body language), my difficult child will talk back and throw it back at them. AND, I can make sure that he is not critizing, swearing at, bad mouthing someone else who may be "messing up" the game.
I worry about the older kids who are addicted getting super mad at the younger newer kids who do not play as well - they have not learned the strategies of the game. What I hear from difficult child is that when you sign into play with someone, you are on their side so if you do something that others would consider the wrong thing to do, your team members can get very upset and let the inappropriate language start. It also opens them up to poor sportsmanship of "Ohhh, I see you are not as good as I am!" in a bad sort of putting you down attitude.
Just wanted to let you know that the games the kids play on line are not just about their actions but about what total strangers are saying to them.
difficult child has internet connection with his X-Box and knowing what H is going through, I keep close tabs on him while he plays. He has a set time each time and is pretty good about getting off when he is suppose to. Games are about 10 minutes long so it is easy to turn off the system after a round.
Although I can not hear what the other players are saying, I do hear how difficult child responds. I can tell by his responses if he is being spoken to inappropriately. While some kids may sit and take this verbal abuse quietly (and for those kids you can sometimes watch for body language), my difficult child will talk back and throw it back at them. AND, I can make sure that he is not critizing, swearing at, bad mouthing someone else who may be "messing up" the game.
I worry about the older kids who are addicted getting super mad at the younger newer kids who do not play as well - they have not learned the strategies of the game. What I hear from difficult child is that when you sign into play with someone, you are on their side so if you do something that others would consider the wrong thing to do, your team members can get very upset and let the inappropriate language start. It also opens them up to poor sportsmanship of "Ohhh, I see you are not as good as I am!" in a bad sort of putting you down attitude.
Just wanted to let you know that the games the kids play on line are not just about their actions but about what total strangers are saying to them.