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Life has a funny way of introducing you to new perspectives, doesn’t it?
The other day I came across a hoard of video games that my boys had collected over the years; they had been tucked away in my oldest son’s closet – gathering dust. So I gathered up the dusty pile, refusing to consider the small fortune spent to purchase them, and I began to ponder their fate.
Reminded of their existence, my youngest son rifled through them nostalgically, reminiscing smile on his face. After a few minutes, he walked away without as much as a word. That’s when it hit me; I couldn’t just throw them out. I would trade them in – a meager attempt at a return on my investment.
So the next day I walked into the local GameStop, a store that lures both boys and men with fantasies of grandeur whether it be football, war or wizardry. I was treading foreign ground as I approached the register with my gaming loot. That’s when I met a gentleman named Midnight – at least that’s what it read on his name tag; I’m guessing it was some kind of call sign. And I’m guessing he wasn’t “much” younger than me.
“Do your sons know you’re trading in their games?” Midnight asked.
“No. But since I no longer keep a gaming system in my house, the point is mute. Their dad keeps that stuff; to keep it at my house would be redundant. Everything in moderation.” I smiled irreverently.
Midnight looked at me like I had just admitted to keeping my kids locked in a skinny closet without food or water.
“So what do they do at your house?” he asked.
It was in that breath that Midnight and I began our debate. Call me an old dog, but something tells me I’m not in Kansas anymore, especially after talking to a guy who believes that today’s gaming systems are enhancing kids’ ability to communicate and build relationships.
”I’ve made “friends” from all over the world – including England,” he grinned.
“Yah, but the question is: Could you crash on England’s couch if you needed?” I scoffed cheekily.
“Absolutely!”
“But how well do you really know these people; you just know what they choose to tell you.” I said, my cheeks warming.
“And how well do you really know some of the people you see everyday?” he rebutted.
I could see this was going nowhere. Midnight and I each took our corners after several minutes of debate. And while it was great to see things from another perspective, I couldn’t help but feel as though my feet were ever-more rooted in my resolve in that these gaming systems that kids are plugged into for endless hours at a time is luring them away from the real world, from their ability to effectively communicate with the people around them, their parents – never mind some bloke in England.
Perhaps I am just an old dog set in her ways, but I can’t help but wonder what will become of the fate of our children if we allow them to become too plugged into technology, letting them spend too much time fantasy-role-playing, to the point where they don’t have the chance to realize their own potential – the real-life fate of their own character.
Midnight, you wanted to know what my kids do when they are at my house. They come home exhausted from school and football practice; they do their homework; they sit down to dinner with their family and they talk about their day. They hang out with friends – kids who live down the street – and they will sometimes drag out the video camera and create war films in the backyard.
In essence, they are plugged into a life that doesn’t include staring at a television or computer monitor for hours at a time, left to talk to strangers from across the pond. Unlike the many “lives” acquired in video games, my boys only have one life – one glorious shot at making it count, and as their mother, I’m bound and determined to see that they do just that.
That – along with a $20 Game Stop gift card (trade-in-value) – will get my boys into the big city, where moderation is the key!
Comments
ve3tro.com/5262/kids-too-plugged-in-whos-really-online/
Don't agree with you, Mrs. Reilly.
You're right, you are an old dog. An ignorant one.
gaming is an art form and should be treated as such.
gaming is not just some stupid thing.
it does wonders for you.
you get a sense of accomplishment when you beat everything in it.
you have a goal to work to, beating all 100% of it.
you can be competitive online
you get a story in the single player
and you get to relax and talk with your friends in co-op.
adults are too quick in judgment to realize this.
I have 80 some odd friends on xbox live. around 74 of them, I know in real life. Its a way to communicate with people I wouldnt normally see everyday. while I have fun.
Natalie, I'd love to contact you to discuss this further. Seems my rebuttal to your statements have made quite the news! Let's clear the air a little and see if we can have a nice conversation over email.
Contact me at dillon @ ve3tro.com
I hope you contact me soon.
Too much of any one thing is not good. And the time some people spend playing these games - separating themselves from the real world - is worrisome. It impacts their life, their family, their friendships, their bank account,their education, their future and the list goes one. Believe me, I've seen this kind of thing up close and personal, and it can be damaging when used in excess.
I'm not saying that gaming is some "stupid thing" - far from it. I'm just saying that - like everything else - it should be practiced in moderation. Imagine if you put that kind of energy into your family, your career, your education - there'd be no limit to what you could actually achieve in this life - possibly beating all of your goals at 100%!
I'm just saying ...
Wow. I don't even know where to start. Is this the same stance you took when the telephone was invented? Gaming online is a platform to develop and foster relationships with others. I too know many of the people I game with, and in fact, I have let one of them ( who I had never met in person before) crash on my couch for the weekend he was in my neck of the world. Fears of new technology are always present in an older generation, but instead of trying to demonize something you are unfamiliar with, maybe try to embrace it and spend some quality time with your boys doing something that they enjoy. Who knows, maybe you will enjoy it too! I suggest a couple of songs in rock band might hasten your acceptance of the future of entertainment.
Again ... I'm talking moderation here. You do know what moderation is, right? I have, in fact, played Rock Band with my boys at their dad's house. It was a lot of fun. I've played the Wii, it was also a lot of fun. I just can't understand spending more time on the gaming systems - with virtual strangers and even friends next door - then with those around you, your family included.
I'll say it again - too much of any one thing is not good. Be it alcohol, food or gaming. I don't see the point of having all of those games at my house when my boys have them all - and I do mean all - at their dad's house. There is a time and a place to discover life on your own terms and with your own imagination.
That's all I'm saying ...
NJ, what works at your house is perfect for you. Obviously some of the readers live their lives on the couch. I'm not impressed by how many KILLS they have on Call of Duty, but maybe their friends are impressed.
What will the couch potato generation do when the power goes out?
I'll agree games like Rockband or Singstar or games on the Wii are fun to play but not every minute of every hour of every day.
Stay Strong NJ !
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