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Are the youths wasting away thier childhood playing MMOs?
metalhead980
Member Posts: 2,658
This post is directed at the older gamers, the ones in the 21- 40+ age range.
I know im not the only one thats noticed this. The young kids playing mmos hardcore.
They get home at 3 and play MMOs until its time to goto bed.
Hell some actually lie to thier parents and stay up way passed to raid or do other mmo activity.
I hear these kids go on and on how thier grades are getting worse, how they never had a GF/BF before.
They don't go out and chill or play a sport.
When I was younger I didnt really pay attention to the kids playing these games, now that im a father it kind of scares me a bit to think these kids are missing out on life like this.
I don't know what type of person I would be if I missed out on my entire childhood like alot of these kids.
The parties, the sex, the sports and bonding with my friends. Just imagine if you thought back on your childhood when ur 30 and all you could remember was a raid or a certain character you played 24/7.
Its freaking sad, really.
What do you guys think? I know we all played videogames when we were younger but we also made time for other things, we didn't have MMOs that required commitments like second jobs then.
Do you think these games are damaging these children in anyway? I think about this as a parent.
My children are all either into dancing or sports and are only allowed to play Wii on the weekends.
But some of these kids don't have parents to guide them, makes me think these games are hurting these kids.
Anyway, thanks for reading. Just something i was wondering about, Let me know what you guys think.
PLaying: EvE, Ryzom
Waiting For: Earthrise, Perpetuum
Comments
Yep, and before that it was TV. In the 60's, it was 'common' for the entire family to watch tv from 5-11pm. They had TV dinners, we have hotpockets
The kids staying home on Friday-Saturday nights to play MMOs are the same kids that would have stayed home to play with their pet rock/G.I. Joe Collection 40 years ago.
The kids who play MMOs 40+ hours a week aren't the ones who would be going to parties anyway.
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Since I fall into your age group of "older gamers"....
No. You're quite mistaken here.
Most youths play way more console games than MMOs. The popular MMOs require monthy fees which youths usually don't have access to steady income. Parents would rather buy their kids a WII system or a Xbox360 with a couple cartridges because they "feel" that their kids are safer from child porn predators over the "regular" internet.
While its not completely crazy (they would have less traditional contact with those types of nasties) they'd still be exposed to some small part.
Adults usually play MMOs more. Those "hardcore" kids you are talking about is a small majority of today's youth and what they actually play. I think you are pretty wrong with this one.
Maybe its different in some place other than the US (Korea perhaps), but this is how it is over here, by and large.
"TO MICHAEL!"
I didn't start gaming online until I was about 12 years old, but I had been playing console games before that. I don't think it is a waste of youth. Youth is supposed to be easy going. My fondest memories in my teenage youth were about gaming. And for good reason. My choices were play games, play sports, or hang out with friends and use drugs. I enjoyed sports, but didn't have access to the number of people that I had access to over the Internet. It is important for youth to maintain grades, but I say let them have fun. In my opinion, friends monitored over the Internet are less dangerous than friends monitored in real-life. I will go as far as to say that parents who want to keep a close eye on their children are better equipped to do so by using computer software than by allowing their children to walk out of the house and go to who-knows-where. If a child doesn't complete his/her homework and /or chores then it is the parents responsibility to discipline; that responsibility is independent of whether or not the child plays video games. As far as I am concerned, the virtual world is far more forgiving than the real world, and in being so it is more enjoyable. Reflecting on my own past, I have no regrets for being a virgin in my 20s, and having the freedom that living without the resposibilities of fatherhood endears.
I think the above poster is right. MMO's are not the addiction of the future generation. They play Wii's, Playstations and other games. My Lil brother infact rather spent 180euros on the Guitar hero set where you get the drums and all nice stuff.
MMO's are basically for adults who have been brainwashed in their job to believe into ideals that run the MMO culture. Gear race, guild ranks, raid-spots, grinding for anything, achievements that dont have any real meaning other than a Title or a marking on your book.
Kids have not fallen into this yet, but the sad thing is that - they will.
So, what should we do with adults who are addicted to their MMO's?
Speaking for American children only - Over half of all children in America drop out before graduating high school. That doesn't mean they don't get their G.E.D. or go to trade schools to start earning a living. It just means they drop out. Add to that nearly 20% of all high schools have dropped athletic programs in some form and another 13% has dropped entire athletic departments from their schools. Going even further, 40% of all elementary school students have no art, music, or physical education classes at school. While it would be great to see them active out in the real world, the real world is shutting them out by cutting programs that were once a given. The latest trend across the nation is removing playground equipment from schools because of lawsuits. Then ask yourself, why would kids turn to MMORPGs for their entertainment.
Fear not fanbois, we are not trolls, let's take off your tin foil hat and learn what VAPORWARE is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaporware
"Vaporware is a term used to describe a software or hardware product that is announced by a developer well in advance of release, but which then fails to emerge after having well exceeded the period of development time that was initially claimed or would normally be expected for the development cycle of a similar product."
The world economy is in shambles and I would much rather see sports programs cut from the curriculum than those that kids actually learn from. Schools are in place for learning, if your child is overweight get out and do something with them don’t blame the school systems.
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You wouldn't understand
I don't think the problem is MMOs, it's parent's that allow their children to play them excessively.
If any kid really did get home at 3 & then play MMOs until it was time to go to bed, it's not a big surprise that their grades might be suffering & if their parents allowed this it would be almost entirely their fault for not being interested enough in their child's development.
I don't think that this really just concerns MMOs though, as you could apply it to a lot of things. Provided that it was kept in moderation I think a lot of parents might be happy for their kids to be indoors at night rather than getting into trouble on the streets just for the sake of having something to do. MMOs needn't preclude joining in other outside activities either & learning to manage their social time effectively rather than just giving in to peer pressure from whatever direction is a useful skill to learn.
I wish MMOs had been around when I was a kid, the most 'High Tech' thing we had was 'Pong' & being brought up in the country was boring as hell.
If you can't "Have your cake & eat it too", then how can "The proof of the pudding be in the eating"?
Take the Hecatomb? TCG What Is Your Doom? quiz.
God.. let the kids have their fun.
What you mention, playing 6 hours or more, is an issue for everyone, not only kids.
Actually alot of you bring up good points.
One poster said the majority of youths dont play MMOs, well that's true but i'm specifically targeting youths that play MMOs. So to bring up the fact that they are a minority isnt really the point. Hell mmo players in general are the minority.
someone brought up the point of todays youth not graduating, well while this true do we know that kids playing mmos are more inclined to finish school over other kids? I can't really say we dont have that kind of data atm.
Now here me out, im talking specifically of MMOs here not consoles or children watching TV. MMOs by design keep a person playing for years. they normally require a large amount of time and a schedule. Basically children playing these games are putting massive amounts of time into these games to the point of MMOs replacing real life activities, activities that are healthy for a growing young person. These games are replacing these particular kids life experiences with a videogame alternate reality.
Now I ask you again do you think the youths that are playing these mmos are replacing thier childhoods with online MMOs? yes? no? dont give me comparisons of what other children do Im talking about the little mmo gamers. I personally feel mmos are harming the kids playing these games. I also understand its the parents job to monitor thier own children.
Someone also brought up the fact that parents would rather have thier kids sit infront of a videogame then go outside and find trouble. Personally I think thats bad parenting. As a parent it's my job to raise my children and teach them how to encounter bad elements outside the house. Not just shelter them and stunt thier growth.
PLaying: EvE, Ryzom
Waiting For: Earthrise, Perpetuum
apologies for being a brit but what are hot pockets ?
its a microwavable pastry with different types of popular food combos in them. like broccoli and cheese, pizza, steak and cheese. basically a easily prepared snack food.
PLaying: EvE, Ryzom
Waiting For: Earthrise, Perpetuum
I know of a family here where i live that the mother is hooked on MMO's and now claims disabilty even though there is nothing wrong with her.. she married a guy she met off a game ie SWG
The kid is hooked on games like you would not belive. He will not speak to you what so ever .. i mentioned WOW and he started talking to me!! Shock horror he knew how to talk..
He has been kicked out of 3 school's and is only 8 years old.. killed a little hamster because another child wanted to look at it..
MMO's need looking into..some people get too addicted.. its just most dont dare admit it
Something like this almost makes me want to derail my own thread.
Seeing as alot of MMOs have parental controls, these aren't being used so is it the fault of the parents that these children are playing MMOs the majority of the time instead of actually living life as a regular child would do? Is it the parents through lazyness and incompetence that keeps these kids playing the way they do?
both interesting topics, both are thread worthy imo.
PLaying: EvE, Ryzom
Waiting For: Earthrise, Perpetuum
its a microwavable pastry with different types of popular food combos in them. like broccoli and cheese, pizza, steak and cheese. basically a easily prepared snack food.
....or it's what a teenage boy that spends too much time in front of the computer and away from girls does while he's playing his female avatar.
its a microwavable pastry with different types of popular food combos in them. like broccoli and cheese, pizza, steak and cheese. basically a easily prepared snack food.
....or it's what a teenage boy that spends too much time in front of the computer and away from girls does while he's playing his female avatar.
hey im a grown man and Eat lean pockets(diet version of hot pockets)!!!!
And to be fair I know a ton of grownups that eat crap food at the computer lol.
PLaying: EvE, Ryzom
Waiting For: Earthrise, Perpetuum
This is really up to the parents and their method of parenting. Should kids be sitting in front of video games for hours? Probably not but then again, should adults!
I do think that Children or "young adults" need to be taught time management so that when they are out on their own they can make good decisions.
When I was younger we actually went outside and hung with our friends. This is not to say that we didn't have video games but we seemed to also do other things as well.
Then agian, I also recall coming home and watching a bit too much TV as well. But I also had a single parent household and my mother was too tired to really be monitoring us all the time. I suppose she could have been more strict and it would have been her right as well.
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Something like this almost makes me want to derail my own thread.
Seeing as alot of MMOs have parental controls, these aren't being used so is it the fault of the parents that these children are playing MMOs the majority of the time instead of actually living life as a regular child would do? Is it the parents through lazyness and incompetence that keeps these kids playing the way they do?
both interesting topics, both are thread worthy imo.
Easily has to come down the the parents first off.. they must control there child. But what does this child have to hold onto where both his parents wake up .. play MMO's and then sleep till the next day to repeat.
He get's to play MMO's because it will shut him up.. simple as..
It's a sad joke around here that people are honestly betting he will grow up to be a serial killer.. that's how sad the state of the matter..
MMO's are great fun i agree.. but i also understand how addictive they can be.. hence i dont have any active MMO's at the moment since EVE Online. Unless i can find a community fun game like SWG used to be.. my money is staying on the Xbox.
I will bet my house.. in 10-20 year's time.. the subject of people being addicted to MMO's will be on the front news..
Let me see here, I started playing UO when I was 13 I think. I graduated when I was 17 and I only played a little in college of UO. So let's see, did I waste 5 years of my life playing an MMO? No, I was captain of my ice hockey team in high school, I started varsity and played every minute of every game in soccer, and I was in 4 clubs in school. I finished top 5% in my class, and while I could I done much better and playing MMO's didn't help that cause, I also did not get burned out of studying too hard or worrying too much. I kept a nice balance in my life which transferred well to college. Just when I wasn't busy I played UO and another kid might of read a book, watched tv, went to sleep, focused more on school, or whatever... I played UO because I found it fun.
If you want to point fingers, point it at yourself. Not your personally but the older generation that still plays MMOs. I raided in WoW and I heard my guild leader's kids in the background screaming all the time and not getting any attention because the father raided 4 days a week. One time I heard his wife say "Did you pick her up from school?" and he said "Ugh! No... she'll get a way home, I am forming a raid right now." Yeah... like most things about kids, the blame needs to start with the parents, not video games.
You are onto something there, but don't forget the opposite side of the coin. Rarely would anyone go out of their way to stop someone from being addicted to work. Why? Because it doesn't suit their agenda, its just that most don't dare admit it.
If the state chooses to grant her disability then they must have good reason for doing so.
<-- 40+ here.
I recall my parents worried in the late 70s and early 80s that I did not go out and party enough with girls / friends, etc. That we stayed home and played board games, card games, built R/C planes/boats, read too much, etc.
Worrying about playing video games too much is just an exercise of finding a new target for an old complaint. Our kids don't play how we did.
I recall thinking how I could be doing the things my parents asked about. I could be spending all of my money on a lame car that constantly broke, I could be attending football games and drinking getting in trouble, etc like some I knew. I could be getting girls pregnent -- dropping out of school and getting a dead-end job. I could be doing lots of things that parents of the day had no idea even existed.
Yes, sex is a great memory, but paying for that abortion / getting married at 17. Getting arrested. Getting drunk / drugged / or raped are also eventful memories -- ones I could do without.
Would I have rather ran away and lived in Africa or whatever your equivalent of joining a circus is? Of course, but such is not reality. We all chose our lives with about as much chance as planning.
If you have a 30-year old living in your basement who has done Zip except raid since he was 9. I'd say kick him out and do him a favor. Otherwise, let him find his own way.
As much as we all try, you really can never compare someone else's life to your if-only-I-had-imaginings. It's just a new virtual exercise. There is no measure of truth to it.
I think the problem is parents need to put their kids to work more, get them out doing something completely random and pointless but have them working atleast a little bit to offset the time they were playing the mmo for.
I dunno bout most of the city kids where theres not much work around the household but man i grew up on a farm, and i still played ALOT of mmos on dialup... but my parents still made me work alot and i got a life skills from that i wouldnt have gained if i were just playing mmos instead.
You are onto something there, but don't forget the opposite side of the coin. Rarely would anyone go out of their way to stop someone from being addicted to work. Why? Because it doesn't suit their agenda, its just that most don't dare admit it.
If the state chooses to grant her disability then they must have good reason for doing so.
You would like to think so.
But i work for the NHS ( National Health Service) and i know fair well i could easily get signed off work with a few black lies.. Its just how it is here in England.. but anyway lets now go off the OP's subject
Something like this almost makes me want to derail my own thread.
Seeing as alot of MMOs have parental controls, these aren't being used so is it the fault of the parents that these children are playing MMOs the majority of the time instead of actually living life as a regular child would do? Is it the parents through lazyness and incompetence that keeps these kids playing the way they do?
both interesting topics, both are thread worthy imo.
Easily has to come down the the parents first off.. they must control there child. But what does this child have to hold onto where both his parents wake up .. play MMO's and then sleep till the next day to repeat.
He get's to play MMO's because it will shut him up.. simple as..
It's a sad joke around here that people are honestly betting he will grow up to be a serial killer.. that's how sad the state of the matter..
MMO's are great fun i agree.. but i also understand how addictive they can be.. hence i dont have any active MMO's at the moment since EVE Online. Unless i can find a community fun game like SWG used to be.. my money is staying on the Xbox.
I will bet my house.. in 10-20 year's time.. the subject of people being addicted to MMO's will be on the front news..
that's pretty sad, I don't think he will be a serial killer.
I would go as far as saying socially stunted....maybe.
I feel for the little guy. His parents are clearly addicted and personally I think its time athorities like child protective services get involved and actually consider video game addiction a serious issue. that situation is straight up neglect, with the parents putting piority toward getting Epics over the growth of thier child.
PLaying: EvE, Ryzom
Waiting For: Earthrise, Perpetuum
You are onto something there, but don't forget the opposite side of the coin. Rarely would anyone go out of their way to stop someone from being addicted to work. Why? Because it doesn't suit their agenda, its just that most don't dare admit it.
If the state chooses to grant her disability then they must have good reason for doing so.
You would like to think so.
But i work for the NHS ( National Health Service) and i know fair well i could easily get signed off work with a few black lies.. Its just how it is here in England.. but anyway lets now go off the OP's subject
Don't worry about it. I actually create these threads so they spawn interesting conversation. if a topic shifts naturally im fine with it. as long as its not a troll/flame fest.
PLaying: EvE, Ryzom
Waiting For: Earthrise, Perpetuum