Second Life ?

Kay_Peel

moomoomama27 wrote: »

Totally this!

I found the OP post shocking, 8 yrs old, 18 rated games :sigh:

Find him something alot more suitable to spend his free time.

The OP ignores suggestions about getting his/her child out and about rather than sitting in front of a PC. He/she thanked a posts about computer games.

Says it all really.

xbrenx

I'm going to admit to only reading the first page of posts because I'm sure the rest say virtually the same thing.
Anyway, what I wanted to add is that I'm sure I've heard somewhere that there's a child version of SL. I used to spend time in a visual chat room that had child friendly rooms as well as adult, if the OP hasn't seen anything that disturbs her, and her son was able to sign himself up without lying about his age it could be that he stumbled across the child version.

HTH

moomoomama27

Kay_Peel wrote: »

The OP ignores suggestions about getting his/her child out and about rather than sitting in front of a PC. He/she thanked a posts about computer games.

Says it all really.

I find it really sad that childhoods are being wasted infront of games consoles.

It's a pointless waste, and I think hinders their social abilities, because they just won't want to interact when a game and faceless person is all they know. I personally think it's quite a negletful way to raise a child (monitering or not).

I'm strict with what I let my children view, and do take note of censorship ideals. Although I use my common sense as well.

Just because a child who plays a violent game doesn't run around killing people, it doesn't mean it doesn't have a negative impact on them, and their emotional state.

There's so much available to young children, cubs, scouts, judo etc I just don't understand allowing more than a short time on a console, not even daily!

pulliptears

To be honest I dont see anywhere in this thread where OP, or anyone else for that matter, stated their child spent 24/7 in front of a games console.
DD spends time on hers, she also models airfix, paints, reads, goes to Air Cadets twice a week and attends camps 3 or 4 times a year. She also spends most weekends at different air cadet events either marching or helping with local fundraisers.

Sweeping judgements are not what the OP asked for.

moomoomama27

pulliptears wrote: »

To be honest I dont see anywhere in this thread where OP, or anyone else for that matter, stated their child spent 24/7 in front of a games console.

I don't see where it was suggested that anyone said a parent has let their child spend 24/7 on a games console/PC etc?

IMO it's more about the content of the game than the time playing on it (although more than an hr a day seems excessive to me, unless it's educational). I don't know why anyone would even contemplate buying violent games geared at adults for a child anyway, other than peer pressure?

mandi

xbrenx wrote: »

I'm going to admit to only reading the first page of posts because I'm sure the rest say virtually the same thing.
Anyway, what I wanted to add is that I'm sure I've heard somewhere that there's a child version of SL. I used to spend time in a visual chat room that had child friendly rooms as well as adult, if the OP hasn't seen anything that disturbs her, and her son was able to sign himself up without lying about his age it could be that he stumbled across the child version.

HTH

There was a teen version 13 + but I'm almost sure its unavailable now. It was open to abuse by adults signing up as children .

mishkanorman

Kay_Peel wrote: »

The OP ignores suggestions about getting his/her child out and about rather than sitting in front of a PC. He/she thanked a posts about computer games.

Says it all really.

really ? I ignored the posts about my son getting out and about, or stated that HE DOES !

I thanked the posts that offered alternative suggestions for games as that is helpful and on topic, its only one aspect of his life - one that I would like to help him with as there is so much negative opinion about and I know how narrow minded folk can be !

I have 2 children, the other of which has lots of friends his age, we socialise a lot with the other kids and normally have one over for an afternoon of play/dinner once every other week. Im friends with the other mums in our class so there is always stuff going on. My eldest is not locked up in his bedroom playing on his PC all day every day.

One thing we have introduced tonight is a set day when he can go on the computer, one thing we felt that made him talk about it so much was the lack of routine and not knowing when he will get to play again. We will see if the set night for playing it will make him more at ease, he always seems to like routine.

Elle7

mishkanorman wrote: »

really ? I ignored the posts about my son getting out and about, or stated that HE DOES !

I thanked the posts that offered alternative suggestions for games as that is helpful and on topic, its only one aspect of his life - one that I would like to help him with as there is so much negative opinion about and I know how narrow minded folk can be !

I have 2 children, the other of which has lots of friends his age, we socialise a lot with the other kids and normally have one over for an afternoon of play/dinner once every other week. Im friends with the other mums in our class so there is always stuff going on. My eldest is not locked up in his bedroom playing on his PC all day every day.

One thing we have introduced tonight is a set day when he can go on the computer, one thing we felt that made him talk about it so much was the lack of routine and not knowing when he will get to play again. We will see if the set night for playing it will make him more at ease, he always seems to like routine.

Have you considered introducing any of the other games for him?

I only ask because the longer he plays on SL, the more addictive it will become, and it'll be hard to get him off it.

You could look at the links posted earlier, do any downloads you deem necessary and introduce this game at his next 'computer-slot'? Hopefully it'll distract him enough to forget SL, or you could tell him SL is 'down' by disconnecting the internet for a while or something, and letting him start playing the Sims.

He'll find this much more age appropriate, you won't need to watch his every move (providing you watch what you download, although anything 18+ is clearly marked as such and there isn't much) and if he does talk about it at school there is a better chance the other children will know what he is talking about (and it'll look better that he isn't talking about a game that is an 18.)

Bumpmakesfour

Can I ask one thing though?However much you monitor or limit this access to SL you are still allowing your 8 year old to play an 18 rated game...that school have voiced concern over.Can you not find a different game he can routinely play?

Money_maker

pulliptears wrote: »

Sweeping judgements are not what the OP asked for.

Can anyone remember what she did ask for?