https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:04:41 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-453548 Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:20:39 +0000 Mrs. Tricycle 453548@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH plays COD, and I agree the preteen boys have the worst potty mouths - my favorite line I've heard from a 12 year old was - "You shoulda run down your mama's leg" - eek! I bought him expensive gaming headphones so now only he can hear the game - thank goodness! I'm sure our kids will play some video games, but I imagine only under very strict regulations. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-453401 Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:37:51 +0000 Freckles 453401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A lot of my friends play COD and all of those other games and none of them have violent tendencies. Of course, we are a lot older now and they started playing these games in university. We played Streetfighter and Mortal Combat when we were in middle school, and i thought it was pretty violent/gruesome back then (i'm surprised my parents bought me these games!). </p> <p>I personally hope that my kids are into sports and being active that they have no desire to play video games until they are older. I don't mind if they play games when they are in their late teens. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-453379 Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:30:25 +0000 pl0508 453379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've had the same convo with DH about violent video games and our son. He doesn't play often, and never when I'm at home. But I still don't want our son around those violent games! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-453066 Tue, 18 Dec 2012 09:11:18 +0000 Andrea 453066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH plays Black Ops, too, but it's not allowed in front of the kids, of course. He plays after LO has gone to bed and I don't allow the console to be hooked up to our main TV. </p> <p>Video games in moderation are fine. I am more worried about its link to childhood obesity than violence. I don't think kids should be sitting in front of video games all day, violent or not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-452552 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 21:50:55 +0000 boiledpnut 452552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're definitely going to have to play this one by ear. Both DH and I enjoy playing video games. We'd definitely put a time limit on gaming time and probably would restrict games to the appropriate age. I don't think a 6 year old should be playing COD. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-452537 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 21:35:58 +0000 sarac 452537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is really difficult for us. We met playing a first person shooter video game in 2002, and gaming is still really central to our social circle and to my husband's free time. I think it's a really fun thing to do when you're an adult in your spare time. We're really looking forward to playing video games with our girl as part of our overall pretty active lifestyle. </p> <p>But the violent videogames that exist today are just so drastically different from what existed when we were preteens. We have gone back and forth debating our future stance on them, as well as our overall position on person versus family computers, browser logging software, all of this. And we are totally stumped. Totally. I hope we figure it out, because it won't be that many more years before she'll be old enough to be interested in the really violent games. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451964 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:05:41 +0000 Adira 451964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our parents didn't play video games, but my brother and I did. Our parents would only buy us age-appropriate video games though. If we wanted something they didn't approve of (such as the violent ones), we had to buy them ourselves. Which meant that we had to follow the ratings and be the correct age to be able to purchase it.</p> <p>Hubs plays video games, but not super often, so I'm hoping this won't be a huge issue for us. I'm hoping that when our kids are older, he'll be playing even less, so they won't see him playing violent video games. Then I can just adopt the same strategy that my parents did and make them buy for themselves any games I don't approve us, thus forcing them to be of a certain age before they can get them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451936 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:53:26 +0000 LittleFox 451936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I both love playing video games, mostly on the computer. Our plan is to follow the actual age restrictions on games, just as we will on movies (I've heard this described as impractical, but it's what DH's parents did for him and it worked out fine). The exception is if one of us has played the game before and feels it would be necessary to raise the age limit based on our child's maturity level. </p> <p>We also don't play overly mature video games (e.g. with violent content or cursing or whatever) when children are around- it's just unfair because of course they'll want to play it and of course we'll say no. Plus, I wouldn't watch R-rated movies with children right near me, and watching me play a game is like watching a movie. So when kids are around, we tend to put away GTA and pull out Mario.</p> <p>As far as violent games being introduced at all, most are rated for teens or adults. That means LO can play them at our house as a teen or adult. If he goes to a friend's house and plays I probably won't freak out because these things happen, but it is a good opportunity for discussing why we have that rule. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451747 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 13:21:34 +0000 littlek 451747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bookworm: When DH plays Call of Duty, every other word that comes out of peoples mouth is horrible. And also they are so mean almost to the point of bullying. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451739 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 13:14:13 +0000 daniellemybelle 451739@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our kids will have violent video games or anything of the sort at our home. I don't think it makes kids more violent in real life necessarily, but we are not comfortable allowing our kids to simulate violence as entertainment. There are other outlets for those emotions, like competitive sports. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451720 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 13:02:16 +0000 Bookish 451720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@.twist.: Yep, I agree completely about teaching values being more important than avoiding the games. DH and I always say how it is an outlet for us to play games, and I doubt it will be different with my kid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451686 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:45:39 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 451686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband and I plan on having pretty strict rules about screen time. I won't be letting my young kids play violent video games. I they want to play them, they can choose something age appropriate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451679 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:40:03 +0000 Mrsbells 451679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I dont like shooting or killing games. When I was young we used to play mortal kombat at a friends house. it was ok and not very realistic but it really did make me feel like hitting was fun. </p> <p>I dont want my kids to play any of the killing or shooting games. I am ok with contact sports like the xbox or wii boxing when they are old enough </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451670 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:37:46 +0000 Boogs 451670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH hasn't touched his Xbox since LO was born. He said he doesn't want LO to think it's fun to sit in front of a TV all day playing video games (violent or not), and instead wants to encourage him to go play outside. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451660 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:33:50 +0000 .twist. 451660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bookworm: Oh I agree about the online aspect of games. I was part of the Battlefield 3 online community, and not JUST in-game but even online the amount of online bullying is insane. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451657 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:32:46 +0000 .twist. 451657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh. I guess I'm going to be the unpopular one here. I'm a big gamer. I love them and so does my husband. </p> <p>Since they are already in our household, I think we'll just have rules about time limits and obviously there is an age appropriate guide for all games that we'll monitor. </p> <p>I don't agree that video games (or music!) breed violence, so I'm not really worried about that. I know how to teach my child about proper values and that video games are fake, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451653 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:31:37 +0000 Bookish 451653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, but in moderation and we have veto power. DH and I are huge gamers, and we will not keep our kids away from them. That being said, I won't have my LO playing things like call of duty when they are like, 8. I also will NOT let my child play the multiplayer version of violent games - not because of the violence, but because of the horrible language and misogyny that you hear over the headphones. Not cool. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451641 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:27:29 +0000 Maysprout 451641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't mind video games, though haven't played one in years. But realistic shooter video games will not be in my house. I really don't understand how something like that doesn't desensitize. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451295 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 09:30:31 +0000 Bao 451295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I play video games around here, but things like Mario and games in the Lego series lol...we think if we don't play them and can enjoy other games, hopefully our LO's won't want to? We only have a 3.5 month old girl right now, so I doubt she would be interested anyway... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451291 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 09:27:53 +0000 lawbee11 451291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I probably wouldn't ban my LO one from playing one, but I also don't plan on introducing them to LO or encouraging it. Luckily DH does not play video games at all, so our LOs won't be exposed to any video games in our home, let alone violent ones. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451290 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 09:27:07 +0000 runsyellowlites 451290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlek: Totally agree! DS has strict playing times MWF for an hr total for the day (usually split). He's also homeschooled though so he's got more free time than most. Sadly our appt complex has pretty strict rules on what is &amp; isn't okay for outside play so while DS does skate &amp; such right outside he can't really run around with friends like he used to, &amp; in the summer it's just too hot here. :-/ We definitely try to keep him VERY active though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451287 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 09:25:24 +0000 T.H.O.U. 451287@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't mind video games in moderation. My SIL only allows video games on Saturday and Sundays. During the school week it was too much of a hassle to argue with the kids to shut it off. </p> <p>I don't like COD and DH only plays when I am not around or in bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451283 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 09:23:30 +0000 mrbee 451283@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlek: agree with that 100%! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451279 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 09:23:04 +0000 blackbird 451279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not young children. DH plays Black Ops with a buddy sometimes, downstairs. He also plays football games and the like. I can't shelter our children from it, but I don't want young children playing them and whatever is played will be monitored and controlled as far as how much is allowed. I want the outdoors prioritized, along with imagination. It's still a game to me, but there needs to be a separation between game and reality. But games will be limited </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451274 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 09:21:44 +0000 littlek 451274@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, the other reason I don't like video games is I feel like kids spend to much time indoors nowadays. Why don't kids play outside??? When I was a kid, the minute I got home from school I wanted to go outside and play with my friends. I feel like kids want to sit behind their computer or TV. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451269 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 09:18:32 +0000 duckduckkristen 451269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will not allow them in our home. I know eventually LO could wind up playing them at a friends house or something, but the games will not be played here. We have a friend who started letting their kid play them at age 4, which I think is nuts, and the kid plays all day! He even says he is going to buy COD for our LO, who is currently only 7 months! Luckily DH doesn't play any video games. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451268 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 09:18:09 +0000 littlek 451268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: Maybe it's just me, I don't get the entertainment value out of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451265 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 09:15:24 +0000 mrbee 451265@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't play video games around my kids in general.</p> <p>There has been a lot of research that video games don't increase violence (if anything, it decreases it). Supporting that is the data: we are in the midst of an enormous drop in violent crime, even while video games are more popular than ever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451263 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 09:14:51 +0000 Mrs. Confetti 451263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We weren't allowed to play video games growing up (not that we minded so much, in a house with all girls), but it's tougher now that they're so much more common and available. Ideally I would love to say no violent games for my LO, but my intuition says that those restrictions will only last so long, because you can't control everything. I will definitely try to avoid them as long as I can though, at least until he's MUCH older with a part time job and buying them with his own money...(hard to imagine when he's only 6.5 months now...) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/violent-video-games#post-451262 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 09:14:39 +0000 runsyellowlites 451262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS does occasionally play COD but not often &amp; we definitely mute it.... Even when just DH plays its muted because I can't stand hearing it. DS is 8 &amp; its the only violent game he plays &amp; he ONLY plays it with DH. Mostly he plays superhero &amp; racing games &amp; everything is screened before hand.</p> <p>ETA: I should add that DS has always followed out screening rules even when out of the house &amp; has come home before just to ask if he could play/watch something at his friends. He's pretty awesome like that! Lol </p>