At what age does the interest in video games ramp up?

[Anonymous]

My son is six and hasn't expressed any interest in Wii or an Ipod Touch or anything like that. I remember my two nephews having Nintendo DS games in their hands from kindergarten on. But maybe that's not the norm? I am hoping to delay it as long as possible, but was wondering when most of my son's peers will have something.

[Anonymous]

I think by 9 they are starting to have some kind of gaming system. By 5th grade it's in full force, unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

7 or 8. But not all kids are the same, of course. Maybe you will get lucky! Though I think it is a common interest of a lot of boys so at some point he may feel left out if he isn't interested (not at 6).

[Anonymous]

for boys I have noticed it between 3rd and 5th grade, if not before.

Haven't noticed it as much with girls.

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on their friends and whether anyone in their circle has older siblings who have game systems. Or dads who like to game, that's the case in a few families we know.

[Anonymous]

My 6 y.o. has started asking for a DS because he sees the older kids at his ES with them. Not sure he really knows what he's asking for though... I plan to hold out for as long as possible. None of his friends seem to have them yet.

[Anonymous]

OP again. Good, looks like ill have a couple of years before he might start to really care..

[Anonymous]

OP, if there are no older siblings in the picture it is much easier to hold off.

[Anonymous]

It depends on whether or not your kid's friends have older siblings. We still don't allow video games - he gets enough at his friends' homes.