My 12 yo dd has really gotten into Xbox and she will easily play for 3 hours. Im not sure how I feel about this. On the one hand, I prefer that she’s playing the Xbox versus being on her phone on tiktok or YouTube. This quarantine is hard; we’re all going nuts; and I want her to keep busy. Thoughts? She also does some school work during the week. TIA.
I think that as long as she can separate from it, it's fine. It's an activity and an interest. I think when it gets problematic is when they experience withdrawal or when they can't move to activities outside the game. Speak to her about your concerns and make a plan for avoiding that, if at all possible.
Op: thank you....she definitely only normally plays on the weekends so I’m going to just let it be.
We have never owned a gaming unit( xbox etc) and all I can say is if they don't have it , they don't miss it. My kids (12 & 9 yrs old) play/write music, create art,build legos,do science projects,take online courses,meet up with friends,spend as much time outdoors as covid possible in the city.They watch shows and play some games on the ipad but it doesn't seem to be as much of a time suck as an Xbox probably would be.
Op: we never owned one either until quarantine. Dh bought it for himself and it’s become something that they do together. But dd has started to play it on her own now sometimes cause dh doesn’t always want to play. But she only really plays on the weekends for a few hours. She then moves on to other activities.
Eh. My 9 year old wanted one for years so he kind of did know he was missing it. Friends had them and he'd been allowed to play at their homes. We made him save up to buy it himself and he purchased a PS4 in February. I've been glad he has it during this whole thing because it adds an indoor activity. He's really into the sports games and I far prefer it to say Roblox. We've decided to not stress it during this time period. Pre pandemic it was a weekend treat.
Op: thanks for your feedback
What sort of game sis she playing? My DS liked Xbox, but was never into the violent games and played exclusively Madden, MLB, FIFA, etc.
Op: some of the games have been on the violent side (e.g. Wars)
I Have a 12 yo and he loves his xbox, Roblox and Minecraft. I’m fine with it because I HATE tik tok, insta and FB for this age
Op: that’s how I feel....really concerned when she’s on tiktok or online cause who knows what she’s watching. At least with Xbox, its just the game. I’m going to let it be since she only plays on the weekends and mostly with dh.
Can’t they do neither?
@Anonymous The parents in my DCs' classes who prevent their children from engaging online when it is age-appropriate wind up with marginalized children who don't share in many of the class interactions. Maybe they prefer it this way? By age-appropriate I mean, through XBox or Play Station starting at about 4th grade, then maybe texting in 6th grade, etc.