Anyone forbidding Minecraft for their 9 year old?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My middle schoolers don't play it and never have. They're very involved in real (not virtual) activities, get great grades, and have lots of good friends.

Sadly, it sounds like we're in the minority.

I'm the PP from above who said my kids want to be Amish. Yes, I think we are totally in the minority. However, I remember growing up in the era of pacman and atari, and we were pretty much the only family who didn't have it or play video games at home. As I got older, I realized that the boys/men who played video games all day were pathetic - ultimately it helped me weed out the kind of man I wanted to marry. I think that experience (dating guys who wasted tons of time on games) shaped how I wanted my own kids to be raised. These kids today who use screens to entertain themselves for hours a day are probably going to turn into adults who need/want screens to entertain themselves for hours a day. Screen time in all its various forms is extremely addictive; I think we all know that! So it's a crappy thing to do to your kid, but I get it. In many cases it is easier to parent if you let your kids use video games and other electronics. Anyway, as I said in my other post, we don't actually flat out forbid the use of minecraft or other games; it's just that we would never provide it at home and in general don't spend time with families or other kids who have electronic games.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My middle schoolers don't play it and never have. They're very involved in real (not virtual) activities, get great grades, and have lots of good friends.

Sadly, it sounds like we're in the minority.

I'm the PP from above who said my kids want to be Amish. Yes, I think we are totally in the minority. However, I remember growing up in the era of pacman and atari, and we were pretty much the only family who didn't have it or play video games at home. As I got older, I realized that the boys/men who played video games all day were pathetic - ultimately it helped me weed out the kind of man I wanted to marry. I think that experience (dating guys who wasted tons of time on games) shaped how I wanted my own kids to be raised. These kids today who use screens to entertain themselves for hours a day are probably going to turn into adults who need/want screens to entertain themselves for hours a day. Screen time in all its various forms is extremely addictive; I think we all know that! So it's a crappy thing to do to your kid, but I get it. In many cases it is easier to parent if you let your kids use video games and other electronics. Anyway, as I said in my other post, we don't actually flat out forbid the use of minecraft or other games; it's just that we would never provide it at home and in general don't spend time with families or other kids who have electronic games.

Why are you spending so much time in front of screen on DCUM? It seems a bit hypocritical that you are "wasting tons of time" on this? Are you a pathetic loser too? Even worse, a hypocritical pathetic loser?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I realized that the boys/men who played video games all day were pathetic - ultimately it helped me weed out the kind of man I wanted to marry.

A little condescending aren't we?

I grew up in the Atari, Intellivision, and Nintendo and early PC gaming era. Playing games encouraged my interest in computers which has carried over to my professional life. I remember buying a Sound Blaster sound card for my parent's computer so I could have decent sound for my games. I saved my money, bought it, and installed it all on my own. When I was old enough I joined the USAF and spent 9 years in the service doing computer work. Now I do computer work for a govt contractor and make a very nice living to provide for my family. There is not a doubt in my mind that the interest in computers came from that first Atari 2600 that my grandparents bought for me and the Commodore VIC 20 that I'd spend a whole afternoon typing in code just to see a `O' fly around the screen. Interest in games if handled properly can be guided to become an interest in how computers work. My 9 year old LOVES Minecraft so much that we've decorated his room with that theme. However, I've guided his interest into creating his own games using SCRATCH, a programming language created by MIT to teach kids to understand programming logic. Kids that don't have that exposure to how computers work are going to be at a disadvantage to kids who do. It is up to parents to guide an interest in video games into something constructive rather than outright denying it.

http://scratch.mit.edu/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I realized that the boys/men who played video games all day were pathetic - ultimately it helped me weed out the kind of man I wanted to marry.

A little condescending aren't we?

I grew up in the Atari, Intellivision, and Nintendo and early PC gaming era. Playing games encouraged my interest in computers which has carried over to my professional life. I remember buying a Sound Blaster sound card for my parent's computer so I could have decent sound for my games. I saved my money, bought it, and installed it all on my own. When I was old enough I joined the USAF and spent 9 years in the service doing computer work. Now I do computer work for a govt contractor and make a very nice living to provide for my family. There is not a doubt in my mind that the interest in computers came from that first Atari 2600 that my grandparents bought for me and the Commodore VIC 20 that I'd spend a whole afternoon typing in code just to see a `O' fly around the screen. Interest in games if handled properly can be guided to become an interest in how computers work. My 9 year old LOVES Minecraft so much that we've decorated his room with that theme. However, I've guided his interest into creating his own games using SCRATCH, a programming language created by MIT to teach kids to understand programming logic. Kids that don't have that exposure to how computers work are going to be at a disadvantage to kids who do. It is up to parents to guide an interest in video games into something constructive rather than outright denying it.

http://scratch.mit.edu/

Oh good. My 7 year old is taking a video game creation camp this summer with Scratch. I feel kids need to learn code the way my generation needed to learn typing. If it takes video games to get him there, so be it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh good. My 7 year old is taking a video game creation camp this summer with Scratch. I feel kids need to learn code the way my generation needed to learn typing. If it takes video games to get him there, so be it.

Coding also teaches a good understanding of logic which is necessary in any field.

You might check out this book. I bought it for my son and it helps learn Scratch in a comic book format.
http://www.amazon.com/Super-Scratch-Programming-Adventure-Program/dp/1593274092/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1403883168&sr=8-4&keywords=scratch+programming

[Anonymous]

Hey judgmental poster who think video games are ror pathetic people.

My brother earnee and bought an old commador computer and spent hours on it plyaing tetris and teaching himself code (sounds like the guy above).

Now as a 40 something, he works doing project design and managing teams of engineers. He doesn't have a degree but he is very valuable to companies for his practical knowlege and his ability to figure out systems from the inside out.

He credits his screentime on that old computer from his elementary and middle school years for giving him the foundational skills to be so successful, even though he does not have any advanced degrees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hey judgmental poster who think video games are ror pathetic people.

My brother earnee and bought an old commador computer and spent hours on it plyaing tetris and teaching himself code (sounds like the guy above).

Now as a 40 something, he works doing project design and managing teams of engineers. He doesn't have a degree but he is very valuable to companies for his practical knowlege and his ability to figure out systems from the inside out.

He credits his screentime on that old computer from his elementary and middle school years for giving him the foundational skills to be so successful, even though he does not have any advanced degrees.

Yep... I'm in the same boat. I got an Associates of Applied Science in Computer Information Technology while in the USAF but beyond that my education are focused computer classes, certifications, and just plain experience. I get cold call job offers several time a week from companies that want me to come work for them. It all started with an interest in "How it works". The Redstone mechanic in Minecraft is very beneficial in the regard of kids wanting to do something and using a fixed set of tools in a system to accomplish that. Connecting light sensors to drawbridges so they'll retract at night to keep the zombies out. Making a minecart system that will automatically pick up and drop off things they have mined. Heck, I've even seen a chicken farm that collects eggs and deposits them into a box for easy pickup.

There isn't a doubt in my mind that my son will surpass me in my computer knowledge. As his father it is my job to encourage him to do so.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the scratch.mit.edu

Any more fun coding games.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the scratch.mit.edu

Any more fun coding games.

Python is a fantastic starting language for kids and there are plenty of good books to get them started.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ADX21Z6/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=14M6K4D1VQM1GF7TQB6G&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I realized that the boys/men who played video games all day were pathetic - ultimately it helped me weed out the kind of man I wanted to marry.

A little condescending aren't we?

I grew up in the Atari, Intellivision, and Nintendo and early PC gaming era. Playing games encouraged my interest in computers which has carried over to my professional life. I remember buying a Sound Blaster sound card for my parent's computer so I could have decent sound for my games. I saved my money, bought it, and installed it all on my own. When I was old enough I joined the USAF and spent 9 years in the service doing computer work. Now I do computer work for a govt contractor and make a very nice living to provide for my family. There is not a doubt in my mind that the interest in computers came from that first Atari 2600 that my grandparents bought for me and the Commodore VIC 20 that I'd spend a whole afternoon typing in code just to see a `O' fly around the screen. Interest in games if handled properly can be guided to become an interest in how computers work. My 9 year old LOVES Minecraft so much that we've decorated his room with that theme. However, I've guided his interest into creating his own games using SCRATCH, a programming language created by MIT to teach kids to understand programming logic. Kids that don't have that exposure to how computers work are going to be at a disadvantage to kids who do. It is up to parents to guide an interest in video games into something constructive rather than outright denying it.

http://scratch.mit.edu/

No, it's not condescending. I would imagine you are the exception and not the rule. For every 100 guys who sat and played video games through their college and young adult years, maybe there are one or two who wound up getting creatively/intelligently involved with computers like you have.

And, of course, the situation we have today is much much worse because a child has to be motivated (or have deeply motivated parents) to take "screen time" to the next level (ie, coding or developing). Everything revolves around screens, communication, leisure time, etc., and our kids are going to be challenged to get their noses out of their devices and have real relationships and interests. Obviously your kid sounds like he is going to be an exception, too. I guess you get a pass.

[Anonymous]

I completely disagree that he is the exception.

What you are describing are stoners, not gamers.

My son can talk to friends on headset, I'm other kids and great his friend as he arrives for a "play date".

I wish 1/2 my staff could conference call with this much efficiency.

I believe moderation is key. My son gets good grade, plays travel sport and just hangs out and plays manhunt with neighborhood kids too.

This is the norm now, knowing how to use a computer, ipad, on line communities and they are needed to be valuable employees.

No doubt my 12 year old will surpass my technical abilities soon. I am in management and technical skills are hard to find.

[Anonymous]

IM and greet

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's absolutely fine to forbid it. Find fun alternatives that don't involve a screen. And in general: to all you parents limiting screen time for children as much as humanly possible...you have my deep respect. Children do not need technology. They need to play with real people, go outside, run, explore, be healthy etc. Screens are anything BUT healthy so stay away from them as long as you possibly can.

Yes because god forbid you should prepare them for the world they actually live in, which involves interaction with tech on almost every level.

I don't get you people with the either/or attitude. Are you kids delayed in some way? Because the kids I know are able to play outside AND enjoy video games. They explore the woods AND have a favorite TV show...

The screens are unhealthy argument is DUMB and OTT. How many kids have watched TV since it was invented? How many have played video games and used computers? Look, civilization marches on.

[Anonymous]

Hmmmmm... if I am the "exception" let me provide a list of organizations and companies full of these exceptional people.

NASA
Defense Contractors
Intelligence Community
Microsoft
Apple
Google
Oracle
and... the people who set up this website so that you can demonstrate just how out of touch with the modern world you are.

I hear Lancaster, PA is very nice at this time of year if you don't mind not having air conditioning.

[Anonymous]

Ugh...Kids do not NEED TO LEARN coding, computer language and how technology works. If you choose to go that route with your kids - fine. But don't transfer your opinion on all other kids. Not everyone wants to be an IT guy when they grow up -.-