Halo and 8 year old
[email protected]
Hi,
After reading so many posts about how great Halo is and Halo2, I told my gaming scifi loving hubby about them, he spent the weekend playing the demo for Halo and now has purchased it. So here is my worry of the week. Riley loves it and the content iseems very mature. He is 8. Tim has always kept first person shotting type games for when the kids were not home, something gets to me when I see them looking down the barrel of a gun. My issue for sure and I have been working on it. Now I am here asking, do other young kids play these games? How have you talked about the fantasy reality issue. I know I am making mental connections that may not be reality, just my worries, but I am nervous because my son is immature in his ability to handle his strong emotions.
Help.. He loves the game and I want to love it along with him, or at least tolerate it, but my own garbage in my head is making me tense. He and Tim talk for hours about the story line, Tim likes to show him all kinds of neat things about the graphics and the missions. Very much passion sharing experience between these two and games. So far I have kept my thoughts to myself, encouraged them to enjoy the game together, and simply stayed out of it.
Mary
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
After reading so many posts about how great Halo is and Halo2, I told my gaming scifi loving hubby about them, he spent the weekend playing the demo for Halo and now has purchased it. So here is my worry of the week. Riley loves it and the content iseems very mature. He is 8. Tim has always kept first person shotting type games for when the kids were not home, something gets to me when I see them looking down the barrel of a gun. My issue for sure and I have been working on it. Now I am here asking, do other young kids play these games? How have you talked about the fantasy reality issue. I know I am making mental connections that may not be reality, just my worries, but I am nervous because my son is immature in his ability to handle his strong emotions.
Help.. He loves the game and I want to love it along with him, or at least tolerate it, but my own garbage in my head is making me tense. He and Tim talk for hours about the story line, Tim likes to show him all kinds of neat things about the graphics and the missions. Very much passion sharing experience between these two and games. So far I have kept my thoughts to myself, encouraged them to enjoy the game together, and simply stayed out of it.
Mary
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
heather mclean
My son, Quentin, is 9 & LOVES Halo2. He also plays it
a lot with his dad. They got hooked on Halo while
playing it at a cousin's house Thanksgiving 2003. Q's
cousin was 10 at the time & they had it set up for 4
players on a movie screen in the garage. So the boys
played against their dads & beat them! The kids, of
course, were thrilled.
I can't really stomach the shooting so I try to stay
out of the room. Luckily they have earphones so I
don't have to hear it either. I had the same concerns
as you, but, like you, I realized they were my problem
& not my son's. So I've not played it with him, but
I've not discouraged it either. And I did buy him a
cool Halo art book and some little Halo figurines for
Xmas.
heather
in Tucson AZ
--- mfhickman@... wrote:
a lot with his dad. They got hooked on Halo while
playing it at a cousin's house Thanksgiving 2003. Q's
cousin was 10 at the time & they had it set up for 4
players on a movie screen in the garage. So the boys
played against their dads & beat them! The kids, of
course, were thrilled.
I can't really stomach the shooting so I try to stay
out of the room. Luckily they have earphones so I
don't have to hear it either. I had the same concerns
as you, but, like you, I realized they were my problem
& not my son's. So I've not played it with him, but
I've not discouraged it either. And I did buy him a
cool Halo art book and some little Halo figurines for
Xmas.
heather
in Tucson AZ
--- mfhickman@... wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> After reading so many posts about how great Halo is
> and Halo2, I told my gaming scifi loving hubby about
> them, he spent the weekend playing the demo for Halo
> and now has purchased it. So here is my worry of the
> week. Riley loves it and the content iseems very
> mature. He is 8. Tim has always kept first person
> shotting type games for when the kids were not home,
> something gets to me when I see them looking down
> the barrel of a gun. My issue for sure and I have
> been working on it. Now I am here asking, do other
> young kids play these games? How have you talked
> about the fantasy reality issue. I know I am making
> mental connections that may not be reality, just my
> worries, but I am nervous because my son is immature
> in his ability to handle his strong emotions.
>
> Help.. He loves the game and I want to love it along
> with him, or at least tolerate it, but my own
> garbage in my head is making me tense. He and Tim
> talk for hours about the story line, Tim likes to
> show him all kinds of neat things about the graphics
> and the missions. Very much passion sharing
> experience between these two and games. So far I
> have kept my thoughts to myself, encouraged them to
> enjoy the game together, and simply stayed out of
> it.
[email protected]
In a message dated 1/21/05 9:51:39 AM, mfhickman@... writes:
<< Now I am here asking, do other young kids play these games? How have you
talked about the fantasy reality issue. >>
More often, kids remind moms that it's not al.
<<just my worries, but I am nervous because my son is imm
Zature in his ability to handle his strong emotions. >>
It's not an emotional kind of game. Frustration at not playing well might
cause emotion, but he could get frustrated with Link or Zelda or Mario.
-=Help.. He loves the game and I want to love it along with him, or at least
tolerate it, but my own garbage in my head is making me tense. -=-
I have a good idea for you. Find Red vs. Blue. They're short online
animations based on Halo. It will soothe you lots.
-=-Tim likes to show him all kinds of neat things about the graphics and the
missions. Very much passion sharing experience between these two and games. So
far I have kept my thoughts to myself, encouraged them to enjoy the game
together, and simply stayed out of it.-=-
Sounds like a done deal.
So you don't need advice about whether you should let the kid play, you want
to have justifications?
How do you feel about fairy tales?
Robin Hood?
On this page there's a link to an article on violent games:
http://sandradodd.com/games/page
and even if you read it before, it might be time to read it again with Halo
II in mind.
Sandra
<< Now I am here asking, do other young kids play these games? How have you
talked about the fantasy reality issue. >>
More often, kids remind moms that it's not al.
<<just my worries, but I am nervous because my son is imm
Zature in his ability to handle his strong emotions. >>
It's not an emotional kind of game. Frustration at not playing well might
cause emotion, but he could get frustrated with Link or Zelda or Mario.
-=Help.. He loves the game and I want to love it along with him, or at least
tolerate it, but my own garbage in my head is making me tense. -=-
I have a good idea for you. Find Red vs. Blue. They're short online
animations based on Halo. It will soothe you lots.
-=-Tim likes to show him all kinds of neat things about the graphics and the
missions. Very much passion sharing experience between these two and games. So
far I have kept my thoughts to myself, encouraged them to enjoy the game
together, and simply stayed out of it.-=-
Sounds like a done deal.
So you don't need advice about whether you should let the kid play, you want
to have justifications?
How do you feel about fairy tales?
Robin Hood?
On this page there's a link to an article on violent games:
http://sandradodd.com/games/page
and even if you read it before, it might be time to read it again with Halo
II in mind.
Sandra
Kris
My son, Jonathan 7, has been playing video games (or watching me play them) since he was about 4 years old. I worried about the violence in games as mild as Mario
He has always had a very intense personality, fond of physical contact of any kind. He has struggled with controlling his urge to hit any person or thing within range when he's frustrated.
He has progressed to more sophisticated and violent games as he aged. He has also come a long way in controlling his need for intensity to be more considerate of others. One could argue that the games have given him a harmless outlet for fondness of action. This be true to some extent but I think he would be more mature in his actions with or without them. His capacity for compassion and empathy have grown, the usual requirements for sociable behavior.
Either way, I don't believe the violence has been "bad" for him. He knows that it's a game and imaginary, he even knows how "bloody" the violence will be depending on the rating; 'E', 'T' or 'M'. He tells me that he isn't ready for M games, "They're too bloody." I have to admit that I REALLY don't want to have "Grand Theft Auto" in my house but I hope I can put aside my own squeamishness to at least talk about it reasonably with him. I'm sure the day is coming when GTA or some game like it will be purchased and played, he is trusted to make these decisions and he will understand why I probably won't play it too.
Kris
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He has always had a very intense personality, fond of physical contact of any kind. He has struggled with controlling his urge to hit any person or thing within range when he's frustrated.
He has progressed to more sophisticated and violent games as he aged. He has also come a long way in controlling his need for intensity to be more considerate of others. One could argue that the games have given him a harmless outlet for fondness of action. This be true to some extent but I think he would be more mature in his actions with or without them. His capacity for compassion and empathy have grown, the usual requirements for sociable behavior.
Either way, I don't believe the violence has been "bad" for him. He knows that it's a game and imaginary, he even knows how "bloody" the violence will be depending on the rating; 'E', 'T' or 'M'. He tells me that he isn't ready for M games, "They're too bloody." I have to admit that I REALLY don't want to have "Grand Theft Auto" in my house but I hope I can put aside my own squeamishness to at least talk about it reasonably with him. I'm sure the day is coming when GTA or some game like it will be purchased and played, he is trusted to make these decisions and he will understand why I probably won't play it too.
Kris
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[email protected]
In a message dated 1/21/2005 2:21:35 P.M. Mountain Standard Time,
louisa@... writes:
Either way, I don't believe the violence has been "bad" for him. He knows
that it's a game and imaginary,
=================
And so even saying "the violence" is overstating it.
If "violence" is used of guys sitting in chairs with remote controls (Kirby
and Joey are sitting rightnext to me talking about "two headed toward you with
a rocket launcher"), then when we talk about ACTUAL real harm-to-humans
violence, it's weaker.
In other words (and maybe someone can come and state these ideas clearly and
simply), that a mother would categorize playing a game as "violence"
probably does more damage than the game itself ever could.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
louisa@... writes:
Either way, I don't believe the violence has been "bad" for him. He knows
that it's a game and imaginary,
=================
And so even saying "the violence" is overstating it.
If "violence" is used of guys sitting in chairs with remote controls (Kirby
and Joey are sitting rightnext to me talking about "two headed toward you with
a rocket launcher"), then when we talk about ACTUAL real harm-to-humans
violence, it's weaker.
In other words (and maybe someone can come and state these ideas clearly and
simply), that a mother would categorize playing a game as "violence"
probably does more damage than the game itself ever could.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kris
That is a point I've never considered. When Jonathan and I discuss this
it's always about the violence IN the game. I don't recall ever saying that
HE was being violent just that the game contained violence. I like that you
brought up that point, however, it will be good to keep that in mind when
I'm talking about it with Jonathan.
Kris
it's always about the violence IN the game. I don't recall ever saying that
HE was being violent just that the game contained violence. I like that you
brought up that point, however, it will be good to keep that in mind when
I'm talking about it with Jonathan.
Kris
----- Original Message -----
From: <SandraDodd@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, January 21, 2005 1:25 PM
Subject: Re: [AlwaysLearning] Halo and 8 year old
>
>
> In a message dated 1/21/2005 2:21:35 P.M. Mountain Standard Time,
> louisa@... writes:
>
> Either way, I don't believe the violence has been "bad" for him. He
> knows
> that it's a game and imaginary,
>
>
> =================
>
> And so even saying "the violence" is overstating it.
>
> If "violence" is used of guys sitting in chairs with remote controls
> (Kirby
> and Joey are sitting rightnext to me talking about "two headed toward you
> with
> a rocket launcher"), then when we talk about ACTUAL real harm-to-humans
> violence, it's weaker.
>
> In other words (and maybe someone can come and state these ideas clearly
> and
> simply), that a mother would categorize playing a game as "violence"
> probably does more damage than the game itself ever could.
>
> Sandra
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[email protected]
Sounds like a fantastic bonding experience for your husband and his son.
They're not out shooting at real people, and they're unlikely to start. :)
I wouldn't worry.
Deborah in IL
just home from buying Resident Evil with 12yo son
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
They're not out shooting at real people, and they're unlikely to start. :)
I wouldn't worry.
Deborah in IL
just home from buying Resident Evil with 12yo son
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Angela S
I really think that moms need to try the *violent* video games themselves.
When you sit down and actually play them it doesn't seem so bad. It is so
obviously fantasy. If you have a competitive bone in your body you can't
help but try to kill before being killed. I cringed at the idea of my kids
playing those type of game until I actually joined in. (4 networked
computers) It was fun and the kids were thrilled that I joined them. Over
all it isn't how I'd choose to spend my time, but I understand what they are
doing now and why they like it.
Angela
game-enthusiast@...
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
When you sit down and actually play them it doesn't seem so bad. It is so
obviously fantasy. If you have a competitive bone in your body you can't
help but try to kill before being killed. I cringed at the idea of my kids
playing those type of game until I actually joined in. (4 networked
computers) It was fun and the kids were thrilled that I joined them. Over
all it isn't how I'd choose to spend my time, but I understand what they are
doing now and why they like it.
Angela
game-enthusiast@...
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kris
It's true, knowing that playing violent games didn't lessen my aversion to
REAL violence helps how I see it's "effect" on my son.
Kris
REAL violence helps how I see it's "effect" on my son.
Kris
----- Original Message -----
From: "Angela S" <game-enthusiast@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, January 21, 2005 3:42 PM
Subject: RE: [AlwaysLearning] Halo and 8 year old
>
> I really think that moms need to try the *violent* video games themselves.
> When you sit down and actually play them it doesn't seem so bad. It is so
> obviously fantasy. If you have a competitive bone in your body you can't
> help but try to kill before being killed. I cringed at the idea of my
> kids
> playing those type of game until I actually joined in. (4 networked
> computers) It was fun and the kids were thrilled that I joined them.
> Over
> all it isn't how I'd choose to spend my time, but I understand what they
> are
> doing now and why they like it.
>
>
>
> Angela
>
> game-enthusiast@...
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
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> Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.7.2 - Release Date: 1/21/2005
>
>
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