Children and online games
@angelbelle578 (1635)
Philippines
September 15, 2011 1:45pm CST
Do you think allowing children to play online games is a good idea? Well, it's not really good but I thingk it also has some advantages to them. I saw my 10 y.o nephew playing background monster in facebook. And I saw he's learning how to design his own base in the game. There was a design plan and I think it's a good idea that at his early age he is aware of doing those things like some architectural stuffs. And also they learn some strategy from their games. But parental monitoring is also important. Lack of parental guidance can lead children to game addiction. Parents should limit thier child in the usage of computer but not deprive them the privilege of using it.
3 people like this
7 responses
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
17 Sep 11
Hi angelbelle!
It's nice that you see games on a different light. 
If we look at it that way, then games like that would really be advantageous to kids. However, if kids get too addicted in those games, then the advantage would be lost. If they are able to apply it in real life, then that's the time the game can be considered advantageous. And yes, parental guidance is really important. If we want those games to be an advantage, then we have to guide the kids on how they can use what they learn in the games in real life.
My 6-year old nephew is addicted to computer games, too. But I am not sure if he's learning anything from it since I don't see everything he's doing and I don't see what he does in school (his performance in school is very good, though). From what I only see, I can say that computer games are bad for him because sometimes, he wants to play it so early in the morning and he can stay for hours in front of the computer. Sometimes, I have to encourage him to go outside and play with his friends. 
If we look at it that way, then games like that would really be advantageous to kids. However, if kids get too addicted in those games, then the advantage would be lost. If they are able to apply it in real life, then that's the time the game can be considered advantageous. And yes, parental guidance is really important. If we want those games to be an advantage, then we have to guide the kids on how they can use what they learn in the games in real life.
My 6-year old nephew is addicted to computer games, too. But I am not sure if he's learning anything from it since I don't see everything he's doing and I don't see what he does in school (his performance in school is very good, though). From what I only see, I can say that computer games are bad for him because sometimes, he wants to play it so early in the morning and he can stay for hours in front of the computer. Sometimes, I have to encourage him to go outside and play with his friends. @angelbelle578 (1635)
• Philippines
17 Sep 11
My nephew is just like yours. When he woke up he open his laptop and play games. We also didn't monitor what he's playing everyday. Sometimes he doesn't study on his own that's why we hire tutor for him. But I can say his grade are good and above average. And when we tell him to not use computer during exam days, he follows. What is bad I think is that they could damage their eyes if they use computer for long hours. His father also enrolled my nephew in a sports school so he'll learn to play outdoor games. They have class once a week. It's actually depend on how the parents discipline their kids.
1 person likes this
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
18 Sep 11
Yes, I agree. That is why I always feel annoyed when my nephew's parents allow him to stay in front of the computer for long hours. I prefer it if they would just go out as a family. I feel glad when my sister, my nephew's mother, tutors my nephew once in a while or just make him do his homework.
I wish my nephew's dad would do that, too. I have told my sister before to enroll my nephew in a sports class or something.
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
15 Sep 11
I am trying to change my views on these online games.
Yes, they take up too much time for kids, and yes they sometimes download a virus that could be detrimental for the computer.
But if take all the necessary precautions, and make sure that my kid also get the exercise he needs, I think the games could also be an advantage.
My son wants to design games when he grows up. He's only 11 and he's already taken a few design courses this summer.
So, I let him play.
@angelbelle578 (1635)
• Philippines
17 Sep 11
That's good for your son. I also want my nephew to have that kind of interest to design games but he is not mentioning it so I don't know. I think game designing is in demand now and in the future. I believe your son will have great career in the future.
@KrauseHome (36447)
• United States
15 Sep 11
I think in all things if you have your children playing games online like in Facebook, etc. as long as the parents are monitoring them and trying to keep them away from games that are inappropriate or might inspire other ideas, than it could be encouraging to help teach them other things as well. Many of the games on Facebook teach how to do things, or have goals which could be helpful for teaching tools for sure.
@angelbelle578 (1635)
• Philippines
17 Sep 11
Yeah I agree. I also like games when I was young and I think it gives positive effect on me now that I've grown up. Like I've learned to become independent and I learned to believe in my self. Since in games you do things on your own, finish guests and everything. If you can make it in games you'll feel like you can do it in real life too but of course not the violent one. The parents are one responsible for teaching them good attitude so they won't engaged in any violence.
@xuyxuy (432)
• Philippines
19 Sep 11
Parental monitoring to children playing on line game is really very important. Kids should have only limited time to play on line games. As I have observe to some kids, once they get used to playing on line its pretty hard to discipline then to stop playing.
@marinerpulak (1702)
• India
16 Sep 11
I don't think it will be a good idea at all
....as those games are very much addictive for kids...that some time create such addiction that kids spend all the time with those online games.....
....as those games are very much addictive for kids...that some time create such addiction that kids spend all the time with those online games.....@angelbelle578 (1635)
• Philippines
17 Sep 11
Yeah maybe but it's also depend on how their parents guide them. My nephew learned to play games since he was 2 years old. Yeah! I can say that he is really addict to it. But I think the early they get addicted when they grow up I think they will not be that addicted, since he's been playing almost all games when he was young. When my nephew find the game is not challenging at all he won't play it. When he was young he plays every game he know but now he is only playing one game. After playing one game for like couple of months he then lost interest on that game and play the new one. And in school he's grades are not bad. We hire tutor for him and he is doing well in school. And I've noticed that many highschool and college student who are addicted to games today didn't experience doing it so much when they were young that why they are addicted to it now.
@angelbelle578 (1635)
• Philippines
17 Sep 11
Yeah I agree that most games are very cruel. That's why parents should also guide them and discipline them. Parents should teach them good attitude. My nephew like playing cruel games as well but because we guide him well he doesn't engage in any fight. In school I can say that he is friend with all his classmates. I don't hear him saying bad things to his other classmates or schoolmates. I think it's really depends on how their parents guide and discipline them.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
18 Sep 11
I think some online games are ducational. Some of them are fine as long as the website is safe. Some of the websites have adult chat and I would not allow that.
