Mrs M
yoda76IS PLAYSTATION EVIL?
February 14th 2008 02:17
I ask this of you all because my 4 year old (nearly 5) has really taken to it in the last month or so. So much so that if I left him alone, he would play it from the moment he woke up to the moment he went to sleep.
He never used to like it this much. He would play it for a while and then put it away. He couldn’t really play the games but it didn’t faze him that he wasn’t very good. I didn’t even really need to set a timer on him to make sure he turned it off and let someone else use the television. He was just never really taken with it.
But now, as soon as he wakes up he comes and asks me if he can play playstation. He wakes up at 6.30am. The only useful thing playstation has done for me is to motivate Alex to get into his school uniform and have his breakfast before he can turn it on. He’s lightening quick in the morning.
But in this last month his behaviour has been appalling. Ever since he has realized he can actually play these games (Micro machines and Crash Bandicoot) and “win” he absolutely hates losing; he screams, cries, yells at people and throws the controller. There’s no enjoyment in just playing the game regardless of the result, the way there was before.
And he absolutely carries on when I tell him it’s time to turn it off.
I’ve never seen him react this way to anything. Whenever he has tried his hand at something I was always so impressed with him because he never got angry or upset if he couldn’t do something. He would just re-focus and try again until he got it.
But playstation has brought out behaviour in him that I don’t like….apart from getting into his uniform and eating his breakfast.
So my question is, has playstation simply brought out behaviour in my son that was already there or has it caused this aggressive behaviour?
He never used to like it this much. He would play it for a while and then put it away. He couldn’t really play the games but it didn’t faze him that he wasn’t very good. I didn’t even really need to set a timer on him to make sure he turned it off and let someone else use the television. He was just never really taken with it.
But now, as soon as he wakes up he comes and asks me if he can play playstation. He wakes up at 6.30am. The only useful thing playstation has done for me is to motivate Alex to get into his school uniform and have his breakfast before he can turn it on. He’s lightening quick in the morning.
But in this last month his behaviour has been appalling. Ever since he has realized he can actually play these games (Micro machines and Crash Bandicoot) and “win” he absolutely hates losing; he screams, cries, yells at people and throws the controller. There’s no enjoyment in just playing the game regardless of the result, the way there was before.
And he absolutely carries on when I tell him it’s time to turn it off.
I’ve never seen him react this way to anything. Whenever he has tried his hand at something I was always so impressed with him because he never got angry or upset if he couldn’t do something. He would just re-focus and try again until he got it.
But playstation has brought out behaviour in him that I don’t like….apart from getting into his uniform and eating his breakfast.
So my question is, has playstation simply brought out behaviour in my son that was already there or has it caused this aggressive behaviour?
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Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
Happy Valentine's Day, by the way Mrs M.
Comment by Aimzster
Reality TV
The Jeepney Stop
First Time Mum
Comment by Damo
So get an X-box.
Actually I have a better idea.
Use the playstation to emotionally blackmail your kids.
Take it of them if they are bad and give back when they are good.
If you get a crappy Christmas present take for a week.
It works for me.
Comment by AmyHuang
Project Job Search
Travel Debate
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Love Adventures
I keep saying when we have kids (which will be a long time away but never hurt to plan) it's not allowed to have all these games and stuff.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
What's the answer oh wise one?
Hi Aimzster,
I never really got into them myself. Pong was kind of fun when I was 6.
Mr M loves a good game. He hadn't played in a long time and I bought him a game, Gods of War...I think....anyway, he started playing one night and he was there for about 2 hours and again the next night and the night after that.
Then he went into forced detox because we went away for our holiday and I don't think he has played since we've been back.
But I know what you mean about people losing their grip on reality. I've got family that were like that.
Hi Damo,
If you get a crappy Christmas present take for a week.
X-box, playstation....same, same!!
Hi Amy,
Like I told Aimzster, I'm not into the games myself so if not for Mr M we wouldn't have a playstation. We bought it primarily for him, it's just a bonus for the kids.
Maybe it's also a boy thing because my daughter isn't really excited by it either.
Thanks for the visit everyone.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
Wait until she catches wind of Barbie games for PS2. Then we'll see
I grew up with computer games. I also read a lot and watched a ton of movies - any of these can be seen as anti-social... why the stigma for games? It's not like our boy is shooting people up or executing demons in these games... he's racing toy cars and jumping wooden boxes. Hardly the stuff that mass murderers are made of.
I think it's a personality thing rather than the 'evil' games console.
And yes, it was 'God of War', and yes I'm addicted.
And I haven't even opened the Scarface game you bought me
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
This very thing happened to my son when he was your son's age. We finally had to put the playstation into "the naughty corner" when it "caused"my son to become angry or tearful. There were days were (if I let him} would spend all day gaming.
My son had to earn "gaming points". For instance... every day he started with zero points... he played outside for thirty minutes he earned 5 minutes of time... he created art.....he earned 5 minutes of time. He could not ever "earn" any more than one hour of time.
I also monitored the types of games that he played... the less violent the better. (He got in trouble in school for fighting with or without violent game...he was always getting in fights for the honor of his friends...etc.... he was never a bully however!)
Here is a great article Link to article
Good luck friend!
Mis
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Thanks for the link to the article. Very informative, thank you.
And I love your approach with the rewards points. Really a very good idea. I love it.
Mr M and I are in agreement that Alex shouldn't play violent games. Even though Mr M plays Gods of War and Scarface, he is an adult and he would never ever show Alex these games. And he certainly agrees that we need to limit Alex's time on the playstation.
Thanks for the advice Mis
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
There can be only one...
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Mis
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Really, its to be expected. Everyone I know, no matter their age, is ambivalent until they find a game that meshes.....Then its all screaming and controller throwing. Kman still does it and he's 26!
Remember, its better he takes it out on playstation than people....Id say he's found an outlet for temper, and thats great. Dont forget, all these games improve hand eye co ordination and cognitive skills, right down to problem solving and conflict resolution.
Remember to tell him though, after a few hours of playing, you are no where near as sharp - eyes dazzled by the glare and fingers cramping, reaction time and problem solving skills decrease. YOU HAVE TO TAKE A BREAK TO BE AT YOUR BEST!! Its a common thing to get stuck on a puzzle for hours - switch off and come back the next day and solve it instantly.
I ENVY him Crash Bandicoot....Man, I miss that little guy!
Give it a play Mrs M, Tekken is great for all ages!
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
My ex and I actually split up over playstation once. They seem to get tunnel vision when they are on the damn thing... only one thing in sight and that`s the screen. Take it away... OH MY WORD!
I hope you find a solution for your little man. If movies cause people to go out and commit heinous crimes I don`t see what the difference is to playstation... even music changes our emotions... it all must play a part to a degree.
Good to see you back again
Ash
Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
And there's another timeless discussion, Ash. I don't think films and games influence people unless they are already unstable. Art imitates life as much as life imitates art.
I have watched plenty of ultra-violent films in my time, and played some gory games (yes, even the ones where you shoot people) - I'm sure that even Mrs M can vouch for the fact that I'm not about to go postal on anyone.
I believe it comes down to self-control, and at the moment our 4-year-old has none. It's up to us to help him with that, not stifle his enjoyment of his latest new toy.
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
I agree with what you are saying to a certain extent. I can also watch a violent movie/ play a violent game and not be influenced by it, however we are both stable(ish
I suppose it boils down to the individual - in a world where youth are having less and less positive influences in their lives and these sorts of games are on the increase I wonder about the message being sent out - yes it is ok to react violently when something doesn`t go your way.
Your sons case is obviously different as he has got great parents, by other comments it seems a normal reaction.
It must be very exciting watching a young person grow and learn.
Ash
Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
He just started Kindy this year, and the growth (as wth his sister when she started) has been remarkable and rapid.
It's pretty exciting - now we just have to get him to stop the tantrums and we'll be all good!
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
This one is and shouldn't be underrated, there is just too much evidence to the contrary. The advice is to limit this activity to once a week to 1-2 hours and no more, like a treat. Not daily, not more...not a good idea.
Please have a look this link first.
It clearly shows us that this is not a game at all... but I know, playstations are a lot less violent and tame compared to that other stuff... well just like TV, it has also been suggested (and currently being researched) that a combination of both - for two hours or more per day - will cost about 5-8 IQ points in just a year or two of consistent play.
I don't think education games count.
There is another angle, that of lower activity levels. Click here for latest research into the growing rate of obesity in kids. A pure evil if ever there was one, especially when you add up the additives in a packet of Chezels and a coke *gag* whilst sitting sendentry for hours on end ... till dinner, when the modern Mum has probably ordered out for a 7-meats, Extra cheese pizza?
Not to mention not play-acting out, developing imagination and coping skills, during natural games outside.
However, I think the Playstation 'singstar' is a genius for building confidence in youngsters who host kareoke-style, sing-alongs with their friends, on sleepoevers.
Such a good question.. and one that caring parents need to acquaint themselves with - getting the real answers.
Good Luck navigating the maze of opinions on this one, but to profer my view, I have restricted my girls to three hours of game play on a Sunday afternoon, MAXIMUM, because anymore and their behaviour towards each other became savage and eventually their grades started to go down as well ... and for me, the proof of the pudding is in the eating ... no matter what the x-spurts* say.
Lilla ...
* x - unknown quantity
spurt - drip under pressure
Comment by Lachy
Playstation turns your sweet little boy into satan spawn, and you're wondering if that makes it a bad thing?
Hmmm... think this requires some indepth study - send me the playstation and I'll let you know in a few months....
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Do you think the playstation keeps him warm at night?
Hi Lilla,
Thanks for those links, I'll definitely read them.
Though I have come to the conclusion that Alex has a competitive streak and doesn't like losing. I was watching play with some older kids last week and they were running relays. Alex was losing one race by about 10 metres and he just stopped, crossed his arms and stomped off in a huff when he realised there was no way he could win.
So that's the next item on the agenda of raising Alex that we need to attend to.
Hi Lachy,
Alright smart arse. Has your X Box had a positve affect on you?
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Lachy
Not sure without a thorough comparative study.
Of course I need a playstation to make that comparison...
However, initial circumstantial evidence suggests a significant improvement in multiple armed and unarmed virtual dismemberment techniques, as well as the development of various darkly arcane powers.
You gotta love that.
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
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What constitutes bad manners?
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And he absolutely carries on when I tell him it’s time to turn it off.
LOL-sounds like a typical little kid to me!
This would be right about the time my Mum would make me finish my tantrum in my room!
Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
Yep - but he's still too loud. Even with the door closed.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Yeah he is a typical kid but lord almighty!
He really is a darling and I wouldn't change him because he makes me laugh so much.
We ended up canning the playstation for a few weeks and now he is better. There are even times when he turns it off without me asking.
But it did confirm one thing - there is no place for 2nd for my Alex, he needs to win!
Love & stuff
Mrs M