What Age Is Good For Gaming?

I know I was playing Spyro, Mario, Jack and Daxter, Sonic, Kingdom Hearts, and other similar games growing up. My brother got me and my sister two NES for Christmas when I was about seven and it all started there.



I remember playing some sort of alien game demo on Dreamcast (again both from my brother 10 years older than me) a few years later and my oldest sister (18 years older than me) told me to turn it off because it wasn't appropriate. All I remember of it was that I was in a dark hallway looking for some sort of alien to shoot.

At the same time though, they let me watch the Matrix, Terminator, and other violent movies without a care. They were more careful about sexual content though.

I personally think it would be better to let your kid play it but play with them and talk through the issues at hand and then if they develop a disturbing love for violence or get scared you will be there to catch it and help them. Within reason, some games are just straight up meant for adults and a kid might not even understand. Just telling them to turn it off won't work if they really want to play though, they will find a way without your knowledge.

So my question is what rules did your family have growing up and what rules would you implement with your own kids?

 

I started playing video games when i was about 4-5 years old and honestly i can't imagine if i would've been a different person if i had started with another age.
The first video game i played was Donkey Kong Country on the Snes and i fell in love with it right away!

My parents didn't have a lot of rules on video games, they didn't mind if i played a lot and the only rule that i can remember is that i couldn't play violent video games like resident evil or god of war. But i always found away to play violent video games behind their backs.

Just like "Gamer girl", i think it's better to let your kids play while you play with them, at the same time talking and explaining whats good and bad. If you straight up say NO they will find a way to play it behind your back.

 

I started playing NES when I was around 6 years old. My parents were not strict about what game I can play and not since almost every game they bought me were child friendly. But growing up playing other games which are a bit violent for me, they just let me play on weekends for the whole day or weekdays but just after I did my homework. And they would always stay with me while I play, my dad used to play console games with me which I enjoyed a lot. I might do the same if I have kids of my own. Play with them to see the content and try helping them out along the way. They will enjoy playing and I will get some bonding time with my kids too.