X-Box is ruining this country

Cameron_1969

My son is 6. We play PC games together (currently an online game called 'Monkey Quest'). . . He also snatches my phone for angry birds or whatever else he can download free. .

The PC thing is a sort of Father-Son activity, so I'm OK with that, although he has learned how to play without me, so I'm now having to fight the urge to let him sit in front of the computer while I get housework done. .

At heart, though, he is extremely active and loves to play outside and run, run, run!

I've just moved to a new neighborhood and we are slowly meeting the local kids.

Here's the problem. Not a single one EVER wants to go outside. It's all gaming all the time. My kid has nobody to play with! Not only that, but they are downright rude! I brought my son to a friends house the other day and he walked in and waved at his 'friend' who he'd met once before. This kid didn't even acknowledge him. He didn't smile, nod, or wave. He just kept on staring at the TV. Then, when my son tried to talk to him he was really condescending and rude. The worst thing was the parents who watched all this and did nothing about it. BTW. . if we really want to know what's causing overweight kids. . here's your answer.

I will NEVER own an X-Box, a WII, a PlayStation, a DS, or any other console system.

So, what do y'all think. Am I seeing a huge problem where there isn't one?

MsDandimite

I would say you're seeing a parenting problem and not an xbox problem.

Edit to elaborate:
It's too easy to blame inactivity and other things on inanimate objects. Yes, games can make kids (and adults) passive as they provide a false sense of achievement, but that happens on whatever console they're on.
We own heeps of different gaming devices. Rudeness and ignoring friends is not accepted. Games and gaming time is monitored and used as a privilege that you can earn or lose. Being a gamer myself though, and once completely "addicted", I am very aware. Other parents might not be aware and others might find they prefer to have their kids stuck in front of the TV so they know where they are.

jcpmoore

I have to be honest- I don't blame the console system for this problem. We own a PS3 and a Wii. My kids do love to play games on them, but they don't get free access to it at will. They have to earn it. When they have had a good day at school AND at home, and all their homework and chores are done on time, then they might get 30 minutes to play. I actually make them earn "behavior points" which they can spend on gaming time. Same with watchig tv or getting on the computer for anything other than homework. I set timers when they get on these systems so I know when their time is up.

Why do I get that way? Because my parents didn't. They weren't home in the afternoons and I watched tv while I did homework in high school. I see a chance to make it better for my kids. This encourages them to behave, play outside (which is FREE and they don't have to earn it), and respect the time they have to play on these systems. The things I think are better-outside play, family games, crafts, stuff like that, is FREE. Sedentary and anti-social stuff like gaming is not.

If the issue is that the kid is rude, that's not the fault of the console. That's the environment. The console didn't teach them to be rude-the parents and the environment they created taught them that it's okay to be that way. Just my $.02.

belladonna786

x box sucks! ps3 is where its at!

belladonna786

I would say you're seeing a parenting problem and not an xbox problem.

^^^^^^^

auroranflash

These are two separate problems.

1. The kid was rude

2. You're worried about lack of physical activity.

I played games all while growing up and I was never overweight until I got a desk job and ordered too many pizzas for convenience dinners. Kids can enjoy their video games as long as it's limited and they're active in other ways. I would look into putting him in school sports, activities, or martial arts - something he will enjoy and he will likely meet other kids who enjoy being active as well.

LNZimmer

I would say you're seeing a parenting problem and not an xbox problem.

^^^^THIS. Period.

jboccio90

its parenting.

that's like saying mcdonalds gives people diabetes.

also the wii is interactive as well as kinect for xbox, there is tons of body moving games that burn calories FYI.

bellydancer124

I would say you're seeing a parenting problem and not an xbox problem.

^^^^THIS. Period.

^^ And an exclamation point.

Dabbles

We have a wii and both kids have 3DS'. They love to socialize, run and play. When company is over they aren't allowed on their 3ds. They can play wii as long as all kid company can play the game too. But mostly, they attack their toys. I think it's more of a parenting issue.

Rachlmale

I would say you're seeing a parenting problem and not an xbox problem.

Nail on the head ^^^

Games consoles are not the problem here...

Healthymom_5

I'm with you!! Kids having all those gadgets is a sign of lazy parenting so the rude behavior stems both from the electronic addiction and bad parenting! Of course there are those who do use these things in moderation. You are smart to make the choices you do. I hope your son makes some nice new friends with common interests. My kids have too many interests to waste their time on electronic games, etc. They don't even watch tv!

skylark94

I feel your pain. My son's friends never want to come over because I don't allow video games on week days and I limit screen time on weekends. It almost feels like I am punishing my son because all of his friends are screen addicts.

penrbrown

The X-Box isn't the problem. Parents who don't put LIMITS on it are the problem.

My sisters children own computers (Yes, they each have their own computer), playstations, x-boxes, DS's and other gaming devices BUT they are ONLY allowed to play these items for a certain amount of time each day. The rest of the time they are REQUIRED to be outside (provided their school work is done).

She has never had a problem with them 'sneaking in' to play games. I've been at her home. Her kids run around and play outside.

They can CHOOSE when their gaming time is, by the way, it's not a 'set time' it's a 'set amount of time'.

So yeah... the problem isn't gaming devices. The problem is parents.

Alex_is_Hawks

I agree with the above posts....it's a parenting problem and not a console problem

My daughter has everything...no seriously....she has a laptop, an iPod, an iPhone, her own tv, an Xbox, a PS3, a Wii, an iPad...if it can be electronic and purchased...she pretty much has it.

That being said none of these things are on when her friends come to play....or if something is on, it's her Xbox, playing selena Gomez, or Lady Gaga, or Carly Rae Jepson while she and her friends dance and put on lip gloss, paint nails and jump all over the place singing at the top of their lungs....

or a movie...sometimes they put in a movie as background noise while doing all the above.


My daughter is ten....

It's definitely a parenting problem. They need to teach their kids manners and how to treat guests. It's that simple.

GamerGurl729

I would say you're seeing a parenting problem and not an xbox problem.

THIS! As a gamer myself, it's all about moderation. I don't let my stepchildren sit in front of the TV the entire time we have them. We do things as a family, and although gaming is among those things, it's not the only one. We encourage them to be more active and are hardly even home on the weekends that we do have them. I know that if we were to have the children all the time, their game play would be restricted and based on their performance at school, around the house, etc. It sounds like the parents of these children are using the Xbox as parents a generation ago used the TV ... as a glorified babysitter.

MissFit0101

The problem is the parents, not the xbox. And it's within your rights not to own an xbox or any other console, but when the time comes, I will allow my son to have one, I just won't allow him to sit on it all day long... and I won't let him treat company the way that kid did either.

penrbrown

x box sucks! ps3 is where its at!

!!!

glonigan

Agreed with Parenting problem and not gaming console problem. One could say the same thing about Cable Television, Board Games, Reading, or any other stationary activity. Why not have your son invite one of his friends over and encourage them to play outside? Set an example for them to find better activities while over at your house and not just sit on the X-Box.

We have multiple gaming PC's in our house and an X-Box, but time is limited to my kids playing on these systems or watching TV/movies. Every once in a while we will have to ask the kids to go on a bike ride or do yard work with us to get them out of a slump.

this_is_my_year

Id say its a parenting issue. Consoles don't make you rude.

There are plenty of age appropriate games for the Wii that get kids up/dancing/relatively active, great for rainy days or indoor days. Everything in moderation.

I was barely active as a child because I sat and read a lot, people would never suggest stopping kids reading. Games can help hand eye co-ordination, team work and creativity. Too much of anything can lead to bad times though.

carriempls

My nieces and nephews have a wii and I've seen them play it but it's not all they do. Whenever I visit we spend most of our time outdoors, playing in the backyard or going for a walk to the playground. They're also in various sports and dance.

I was overweight growing up and I played outside, built forts, climbed trees and was in all kinds fo sports too. I rarely if ever played video games, but I did do a lot of reading and watched tv.

Seeing one kid be rude while he's playing a video game doesn't make this an epidemic.

NKF92879

I have a Wii, and I use it for physical activity 98% of the time I use it. In fact, I burned 169 calories in 20 minutes using the Wii this morning. You can't blame an inanimate object for these problems. Blame the parents for allowing this to happen, if you must have someone to blame.

SoDamnHungry

XBOX is online. It's ruining a lot of countries.

But I agree with others. It's parents that let their kids play video games all day that are the problem, not the existence of video games.

hellohappylisa

I got my first console when I was 9, I was also a huge book reader. I still played outside plenty. I'm 23 now and I still game and read.

It's the parents' fault.

Also, I feel sorry for you. Gaming is awesome. I wouldn't even date a guy who didn't play SOMETHING.

waylandcool

Totally agree with the parenting issue. Way too many people just park their kids in front of the TV and then vanish. Kids need to do something else instead of gaming like sports or just going to the mall. Parking kids in front of a TV will also cause issues down the road with their social skills as people don't act like game characters.

domgirl85

That's more about the parents than the Xbox. I know plenty of children who love both. They love to spend half the day (if not all of it) outside but they enjoy playing video games when they're inside. Video games aren't the problem.

deedee303z

I have to agree--it's a parent problem, not a game problem.

FWIW, I also use the Wii for exercise. I don't have ready access to a gym and it's dark by the time I get home. There are some serious workouts available for the Wii.

GermanicKnight

My son will be 6 next week. He plays Cool Math on the PC as well as League of Legends with me. Limited to 1 hour a day TOTAL of TV Time or Gaming (unless raining or bad weather). We own a Wii and he is more active on that than most kids I see outside just sitting there.

My son WILL NOT stay inside if its nice out. He plays football or soccer any chance he gets. The kids in our neighborhood are always outside, which is an exception to the rule. I drove around different neighborhoods in our town and practically no kids play outside. Then you have our neighborhood and you have to drive slow and watch out for all the kids. It is actually quite nice.

IronSmasher

That's the same as never buying a chocolate bar, McDonald's or a birthday cake.

Moderation.

bunchesonothing

I would say you're seeing a parenting problem and not an xbox problem.

Agreed! Games are just a tool. They are there to be used when the user wants.

homerjspartan

I would say you're seeing a parenting problem and not an xbox problem.

^^^^THIS. Period.

Absolutely agreed. My son and daughters all love to play outside, play board games, play Uno.....

But, I ain't gonna lie. We also love a little team deathmatch in MW3 also. I am a gamer and enjoy playing them with my kids. We love playing together. My son does play a lot of video games, but he knows that his homework needs to be done along with his chores before he plays anything. And he still loves playing basketball and skateboarding, but the fact is they play a ton of games and he loves it, but it is now allowed to be his whole life. Moderation.... just like tacos.

I did it my whole life and I turned out fine. Well, I turned out OK. Average... ish.