X-boxes... what's the story... we know nothing!

[Black Sheep]

Because the rating is for the sale of the game and to guide and inform the parent

You can't sell it to under 18 incase the parent doesn't want their kid to have it, but parent can choose to buy it for the kid

 

[summerdays]

So far I'm succeeding in keeping my 10 yo away from games above his age but with older siblings I'm finding films harder to monitor, as they can record them when they are on late then watch them when he's around the next day - though he finds any of that kissing stuff really yukky and turns away from the TV .

As for an X-box - we went down the Wii route which is working so far and have been advised by a friend that the on-line stuff is actually very pressurised as when they are on-line they can see what games their mates have/are on and want the same things even if the rating is well above age. I'm sure our time will come but I am going to delay the inevitable for as long as possible though we are finally succumbing to peer pressure and buying him a DSi.

 

[PaulSB]

I admit I like the idea of a Wii, just because it seems to be a little bit more 'physically active' than some of the others, but I'm not sure, are they the work of the devil or a worthwhile addition to family life ?

Without doubt they are the devil's work and, while it's nothing to do with me, five is far, far too young for a console. I think our lads were 9/10 before we allowed them in the house. It is though an individual family choice. The Wii may be advertised as "active" but then do you believe TV adverts for washing up liquid that cut through grease like a hit knife through butter?

 

[Black Sheep]

The wii active claim is based on having to move about to control it

Doing an hour of cleaning a bathroom is more active than an hour of wii fit or so I'm told

 

[summerdays]

The wii active claim is based on having to move about to control it

Doing an hour of cleaning a bathroom is more active than an hour of wii fit or so I'm told

Agreed but how many 10 year olds do you get cleaning your bathroom ... mine have to want something very badly or be forced to help to want to do that even I would rather play on the Wii than do cleaning

 

[beanzontoast]

My lad (aged 5) is pestering us for a nintendo DS or a Wii, both self and Mrs V are trying to postpone buying one for as long as we can, all his mates at school seem to have one at home though, so it's getting harder to deny him one !

The trouble is, all the parents reckon that they wish they'd never bought one, as the kid/s are never off them and conversation in the house has ceased !


I admit I like the idea of a Wii, just because it seems to be a little bit more 'physically active' than some of the others, but I'm not sure, are they the work of the devil or a worthwhile addition to family life ?

My opinion FWIW...

Having at least experienced most consoles of recent years including the Wii, I find the Wii is the most 'social' of them for families with wide age ranges wanting to play together, mainly due to the number of multi player games available and the thought that has gone into the game design. There's likely to be a progression from the Wii to other consoles with more advanced graphics and stronger online possibilities when your children get older, but while they are young, if you choose games carefully the Wii is a 'gentle' start in console terms and very enjoyable.

Quite a few of the games are physically active - Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort for instance.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Without doubt they are the devil's work and, while it's nothing to do with me, five is far, far too young for a console. I think our lads were 9/10 before we allowed them in the house. It is though an individual family choice. The Wii may be advertised as "active" but then do you believe TV adverts for washing up liquid that cut through grease like a hit knife through butter?

Did they live in the garden until their 9th birthdays?

 

[newb]

My lad (aged 5) is pestering us for a nintendo DS or a Wii, both self and Mrs V are trying to postpone buying one for as long as we can, all his mates at school seem to have one at home though, so it's getting harder to deny him one !

The trouble is, all the parents reckon that they wish they'd never bought one, as the kid/s are never off them and conversation in the house has ceased !


I admit I like the idea of a Wii, just because it seems to be a little bit more 'physically active' than some of the others, but I'm not sure, are they the work of the devil or a worthwhile addition to family life ?

I have 4 girls, we have at home a wii, an x-box, a nintendo DS and 2 x Pc's. My oldest girl is 8yoa and my youngest is a month old. None of my girls just go on any of the computers, they have to ask permission first which stops them from disapearing into the room forever. If I catch them on anything without asking then it gets taken off them.

I can honestly say I have had no problems with any of them because of this. The consoles are great and it passes the time for them in the car etc.

For the OP, x-box's are great, mine is a basic one with a bigger HD and its superb you will enjoy lol

 

[marinyork]

I mind. I have an XBox and "Modern Warfare 2" which was the big release last year.... there's no way I'd let anyone under 18 play COD games, even at 38 I found it quite graphic and more than a little bit disturbing, seeing men screaming and reaching for lost limbs etc. That's not something I'd want to desensitise young kids from.

I disagree very strongly. Most games tend to get penalised very heavily and have much higher ratings than either films of tv series would get. They seem to be getting worse at classifying things at 18 too. Up to the parents really.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

I'm sure that many games are overclassified, I was only speaking for MW2 which I think definitely deserves an 18 rating.

 

[PaulSB]

Did they live in the garden until their 9th birthdays?

No but I sometimes wish we'd sent them away from 14-19!!!

 

[Globalti]

Jeez, this thread has reminded me, I have an 11 y.o. son somewhere. When did I last see him....?

 

[biggs682]

hope you are watching bbc 1 now tonight on 8.30 - 9pm

 

[marinyork]

hope you are watching bbc 1 now tonight on 8.30 - 9pm

Pretty poor journalism, really scraping the bottom of the barrel.