We waited until kids were 11 and 9 to get a Wii -I was not a fan of the idea but it was not a big deal - they didn't play on it that much and it was great to have when families with other kids came for dinner etc. - kids had a ball with mario carts, guitar hero and other stuff. We got an X-Box when oldest was 13 - 11 year old girl has zero interest and has never gone near it. I actually like the X-Box live feature - DS plays games with his friends on weekends and it is like a party (and I can hear everything - which sort of keeps me in touch with what's going on....). We do not let him use it during the week - he's 16 now and that has not been a problem.

We don't have a gaming console but my kids, 6, 8 and 10 play computer games, mostly Minecraft, and apps on iPads.

I played a lot of video games and watched TV growing up as did my siblings. Did fine: Grew up to be a lawyer, doctor and investment banker.

Anonymous wrote:We do not and DH and I have always agreed we will not ever get one. Kids are 8 and 6. My brother is a huge gamer, and IMO contributes significantly to his lack of a social life. He stays up all night playing online games against other random people. He sleeps during the day. It is like an addiction. He failed out of college because he never went to class. He lives with my parents, has no job. He may be an extreme example, I hope he is.

Not "like" an addiction, an addiction. My brother, too. It's frightening to see, actually.

we don't have one, kids are almost 10 and 7. (we do have a nintendo ds that they get to play for an hour a day Sat and Sun.)

We do not and DH and I have always agreed we will not ever get one. Kids are 8 and 6. My brother is a huge gamer, and IMO contributes significantly to his lack of a social life. He stays up all night playing online games against other random people. He sleeps during the day. It is like an addiction. He failed out of college because he never went to class. He lives with my parents, has no job. He may be an extreme example, I hope he is.

We don't have a gaming console.
DH, DS and I belong to a top raiding guild for World of Warcraft so there's not time for console games.

9, 7 and 6 - we don't have one. Only get iPad, iPhones, etc on long car rides or special occasions (waiting room, long boring event of siblings')

9 year old DD and no, we don't have a gaming console. She gets occasional iPad games, no more than 2 hrs per week. She often goes weeks forgetting about them.

We bought a Wii last year for Xmas when eldest boy was 10. Regret it. Absolutely NO to a DS (Dumb Shit) - I hate how the kids take them everywhere. Do allow Minecraft and MineCraft YouTubes even though some are a bit profane.

Anonymous wrote:We dont have one kids are 7 and 8

Good for you.

We have a playstation 3 that's used mostly for streaming movies and sometimes Grand Turismo. Kids prefer the iMac/iPad/Macbook for their computer games, mostly Minecraft and it's gazillion updates and mods.

I hate video games and I wanted to be a video game free family. But about 3 years ago, my DH came home with a Wii without asking me. Our kids are ages 7 - 10. We really limit them using it. it is not in our main living room and I only let them play on a weekend when I am busy making dinner. At least they are moving around a little bit. I never plan to let them use an ipod or ipad. I think those are worse. I am trying my hardest to prevent video game/electronics addiction. We have tons of legos and board games and arts and crafts stuff.