Video Games and Children

[thebiblicalway]

At church on Sunday (two days ago) I had a conversation with a young, blonde-haired boy named Luke, which I don’t do very often. He’s attending a public school. That fact alone is sad, considering the barrage of liberal philosophy and socialization he faces every day

Comments

[completeinhim]

I don't think there's anything inherently wrong about games in general. However, I think restrictions should definitely be enforced for young kids...And self-discipline for adults!

Also, when I refer to games, I mean ones that are acceptable to those with a moral compass: that are not overly violent and do not condone immorality. Different people have different standards in these areas, I know...But that's a whole 'nother issue. :-)

I agree that it's sad for kids to be spending most of their time playing video games (or watching TV, for that matter!). Part of it, though, is that those in public school are often (understandably) too tired when they get home from school to want to go outside and play. Plus, the sense of community in many American neighborhoods is extremely limited now compared to what it used to be when my parents were young. But again...that's a whole 'nother issue! ;-)

[thebiblicalway]

...that's a whole 'nother issue!

Lol. Great repetition there. =)

Yes, there's nothing inherently wrong with games. I do agree. Yet, one problem is when games use up too much of our time. Moderation and self-discipline, as you say, are definitely needed.

Ahh! Speaking of immorality in games, most violent games promote something immoral. Take for example the game called Counterstrike. In that game you can be a terrorist. Hmm, that sounds immoral to me.

P.s. I can almost hear the discussion beginning over movies...

[completeinhim]

Yet, one problem is when games use up too much of our time. Moderation and self-discipline, as you say, are definitely needed.

Very true. There are a wide variety of other things that endeavor to eat up our time, too. (I'm convicted when I think of how much time I spend on LJ and e-mail.) At the same time, games can have some profit; they can be educational (I used to love the Oregon Trail computer game and learned a lot from it), and they can be relationship-building if you're playing with others. (Although those types of fellowship-inducing games are usually board games, not computer games. :-)) I tend to use the same reasoning when it comes to LJ and e-mail -- at least I'm communicating with others; sharing ideas and encouragement in long-distance fellowship. But like you said, these things can still be time eaters. Even something that's good in moderation can be detrimental in excess. Moderation, moderation, moderation! (Preaching to myself here, hehe.)

Speaking of immorality in games, most violent games promote something

[misshoneybee]

Well said! :)

[misshoneybee]

That *is* sad. I think it's a good idea to restrict video game time for kids--and disallow violent ones.

[thebiblicalway]

Disallow violent games until a certain age, you mean, right?

...

"No, my son," Greg tells his thirty-year-old son while watching LOTR, "You can't play Medal of Honor, because it's violent. It's not healthy for you."

j/k

[completeinhim]

"No, my son," Greg tells his thirty-year-old son while watching LOTR, "You can't play Medal of Honor, because it's violent. It's not healthy for you."

LOL! Good point...At some point, we must start making our own decisions and reaping the consequences.

[misshoneybee]

Disallow violent games until a certain age, you mean, right?
Yes, that's what I meant.
Although I don't know if violent video games are really healthy for anyone (because it seems like you're meant to take pleasure in them, which is not the case with most historical war movies, I don't think).

[numbugz]

Of course it raises the question of how to restrict them, now that they are around. Seems like the people in our society are just irresponsible. And personally, I don't want the government jumping in on anything else that isn't its business.

[thebiblicalway]

Oops, my bad. I should explain myself better. I'm really talking about parents doing the restricting, not government.

[arcticfidelity]

It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that the child is raised in Godly fashion, and if a child has come to a point with video games where he no longer understands the priorities in life, and does not know how to stop, or is oversaturating his time with such things, then it is time to pull the plug. I have reached that point at times, but for my mother, who was the main raiser in our family, she really did not "have to pull the plug" once I grew past 7 or so; my brother, was a different story. So where my particular fault may not have been video games, and I could control myself, it is right that a parent come in and set boundaries should they be necessary.

[thebiblicalway]

Agreed. However, I wonder if we as parents should allow our children under a certain age--maybe 8?--to play video games at all. They should be building a good taste for books and physical activity during that time, I think. Then after a certain age, they could be allowed to play video games to a limited degree. Moderation should always be striven for. I think we all agree on that point.

[arcticfidelity]

I would say that in general, we as parents, who wish to be responsible for such matters, for the sake of both safety and the general fact that video games are not a necessity in life, ought to limit exposure and interactions with most forms of entertainment in general that are specifically geared towards the modern American way of life, or such, which in general tends to eliminate most forms of electronic entertainment. I would say that most of the times during the most formative ages of a child, this should be done, and that the child should be nurtured into enjoying the pleasures of life that do not revolve around computers

[thebiblicalway]

Good comments, Aaron. I read them twice. Your writing style is excellent.

It's hard to add much to what you said, so I won't. I'm agreeing with 99% of it.

[melytha]

I completely agree.

My younger siblings aren't allowed to play computer games. My Dad doesn't like to block sites and things because he wants to teach self control, but if he could figure out how sometimes he probably would. But if a sibling is caught playing a computer game, my Dad is able to log them out of the computer or block them from being able to use it for a time.

I don't think going to a public school is necessarily a sad thing, though. I went to public schools my whole life, and don't think I was harmed by it. It was a mission field, too. That being said I sometimes think I may like to homeschool my own children...Missy and I were talking a little about this in recent emails! =)

[thebiblicalway]

Your father is quite unusual, then, I'd guess.

About going to a public school... There are always exceptions. I guess the reason I said what I did was because children who attend public school not only miss a huge blessing by not being homeschooled by their parents (and mothers in particular), but they also generally end up more worldly as a result of the worldly peer pressures. Yes, there are exceptions, and from what I know, you are one. Beyond that, I strongly believe that homeschooling is biblically mandated--though, I certainly don't condemn those who don't practice it.

It's really cool that you're considering homeschooling, Melissa! I'd encourage you to consider it in light of the Bible. There's no topic that God's Word doesn't speak toward. (Though, often it seems like the Bible is silent on certain issues.)

[melytha]

I absolutely, 100%, agree with that last paragraph.

A friend and I have been discussing that recently!!! He said he had never been more convinced that the Bible speaks to every topic!! And I agreed with him, too. :)

[writingmedown]

Well, we were never allowed to play video games or computer games, never came to a problem of having to block us either really. I'm glad my parents saw the wisdom in that. My personal opinion is that it is a total loss of creativity. :/