I have two questions - one for gamers on what console to buy for a 9yo boy.
I was thinking a 360 with kineckt. reason being I can chip it and get free gmaes (and I dont want to spend a lot), he likes halo, and he can play with his sister using the kineckt thing. I am very conscious of not letting him see inappropriate content though.

Second is for other parents. I have held out for this long. He is a PITA when it comes to minecraft - always trying to get my phone. plays flash games on the computer, even loves educational games. Really not keen for him to get but it's almost as though I am making it worse by not letting him have one. He still does lots of outdoor stuff. His birthday is next week and it sounds terrible but he doesn't really want for anything or want anything else, and anything else I get him probably won't get used.
Do any of you regret buying your kids consoles? Do you ban use during the week? DO they settle down using it or is it a constant battle?

Forget the games and the screen time. Teach him skills that will last.

I wouldn't assume you can easily chip a 360. From what I've read you need a specific model (older ones) and then you need to keep it offline or MS will detect it and disable. For the hassle and money involved I would just go the route of 2nd hand & import games. There are various aussie price comparison sites where you can find heaps of games for under $5, $10 or $20 depending on how much you want to spend.

In general order of kid friendliness
wii
xbox
playstation.

Wii has the most kiddy games and the most physical stuff. No networking I believe (a plus at that age). Depending on attitude might find it lame.
Xbox kinect has some good fun physical games. Plus minecraft I believe?
Never tried the PS camera system.

Keep him away from any live chat in games - too much swearing. I was shocked last time I played online at a/ 10 year olds playing GTA5 (pretending they were 12) and b/15 year olds swearing at 10 year olds with no thought to their age, calling them little c@nts etc.

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kiteboy dave said..

I wouldn't assume you can easily chip a 360. From what I've read you need a specific model (older ones) and then you need to keep it offline or MS will detect it and disable. For the hassle and money involved I would just go the route of 2nd hand & import games. There are various aussie price comparison sites where you can find heaps of games for under $5, $10 or $20 depending on how much you want to spend.

In general order of kid friendliness
wii
xbox
playstation.

Wii has the most kiddy games and the most physical stuff. No networking I believe (a plus at that age). Depending on attitude might find it lame.
Xbox kinect has some good fun physical games. Plus minecraft I believe?
Never tried the PS camera system.

Keep him away from any live chat in games - too much swearing. I was shocked last time I played online at a/ 10 year olds playing GTA5 (pretending they were 12) and b/15 year olds swearing at 10 year olds with no thought to their age, calling them little c@nts etc.

good tip. thanks

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ikw777 said..

Forget the games and the screen time. Teach him skills that will last.

thanks IKW. will check out some

I wouldn't get a wii. They might be kid friendly but i cant imagine a kid thinking there is any real wow factor compares to PS4 or xbox. Best bet is to take him past a shop with demos and see what one he goes to first.

I sort of regret buying my ps3. Far too easy to get sucked in, kill hours and become lazy. I sold it to my mate whos now experiencing the same thing lol

If you can't chip it, he can do work around the house to raise enough money for new games. You'll get away with paying less than minimum wage too :)

I reckon if you teach him to schedule in his screen time, and have designated time (maybe an hour a day) around his homework, chores, outside stuff then its ok to have a console.

I am currently enjoying my 6th year of being T.V-less, but I think when the rugrats arrive I might look at getting a flat screen that is kept locked away in a wall cabinet like you do with a dart board. Will teach the kids that they need to decide which couple of programmes they want to watch, the rest of the time it stays turned off and out of sight.


I bet its going to be more of a battle than I imagine though!

I have two boys, 7 and 8 and think you are on the right track. I would second an X-box, forget a Wii at that age. Can't comment on the chipping aspect though....definitely agree with Kitboy in ensuring chat features are restricted.

You can't avoid kids and computers/screens/games these days. You are better off accepting it and putting rules and restrictions to balance physical activities/ homework etc. My boys spend a lot of time on the x-box, but then they also spend a lot of time outside on bikes and skateboards, play club sport and are drilled military style on homework.

Games like minecraft and the roadbloks flash site are actually pretty creative and IMO good for kids development. Any of the lego games are also pretty good. They are also regulars on all the FPS games like Halo.....

GTA4 was accidentally bought by my wife (no clue) as a reward and unbeknownst to me. She trundled it out at a friend's place when we were having dinner, we were all in the dining room. Friends wife went in to check in the kids later to a scene of her 7yo punching the crap out of a nun in a hospital, with my kids cheering him on and to go get the baseball bat he had dropped..... Good times!

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Paradox said..

I have two boys, 7 and 8 and think you are on the right track. I would second an X-box, forget a Wii at that age. Can't comment on the chipping aspect though....definitely agree with Kitboy in ensuring chat features are restricted.

You can't avoid kids and computers/screens/games these days. You are better off accepting it and putting rules and restrictions to balance physical activities/ homework etc. My boys spend a lot of time on the x-box, but then they also spend a lot of time outside on bikes and skateboards, play club sport and are drilled military style on homework.

Games like minecraft and the roadbloks flash site are actually pretty creative and IMO good for kids development. Any of the lego games are also pretty good. They are also regulars on all the FPS games like Halo.....

GTA4 was accidentally bought by my wife (no clue) as a reward and unbeknownst to me. She trundled it out at a friend's place when we were having dinner, we were all in the dining room. Friends wife went in to check in the kids later to a scene of her 7yo punching the crap out of a nun in a hospital, with my kids cheering him on and to go get the baseball bat he had dropped..... Good times!

LOL!!!

yep, definitely Xbox.
My son also opted for Xbox when he was 9/10, even though he played lots of Wii at my brother's place beforehand.
He also loves minecraft.

You definitely have to enforce some rules and limits how much they can play, otherwise they'll just sit on games the whole day. However if he already plays any games, i prefer xbox as he's at least physically active.

Also if you really wanna impress him, then setup minecraft on two separate computers at home, and run minecraft server on one, and play with him minecraft network mode. He'll think you are really cool. My boy and me built these huge castles and things...

i hate games though... and all bloody digital devices. SIgh.

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LOL!!!

Almost as funny as when she bought "Ted" for the boys to watch cause it had a cute bear on the cover.....

As an anecdote to the GTA saga, my wife noticed a large activity log in the rumpus room on our CCTV system from 2am one night just after the "premiere". Checked it out and found our 8yo had got up, found the contraband game and proceeded to play until 6am, shut it down and went to bed until mum got up 10mins later....then emerged fresh and innocent. B)]

I need to travel less...

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Paradox said..

LOL!!!

Almost as funny as when she bought "Ted" for the boys to watch cause it had a cute bear on the cover.....

As an anecdote to the GTA saga, my wife noticed a large activity log in the rumpus room on our CCTV system from 2am one night just after the "premiere". Checked it out and found our 8yo had got up, found the contraband game and proceeded to play until 6am, shut it down and went to bed until mum got up 10mins later....then emerged fresh and innocent. B)]

I need to travel less...

what an enterprising young lad !

If you can stretch it, try for the xbox one.

The 360 is fairly old technology now...and having grown up through the console age, kids know fairly quick what the latest and greatest is.

Plus the one is more of a home entertainment pack than just exclusively a console.

Car racing games are a fun non-violent game as well. And Forza 5 looks pretty good

And very fair warnings about online chat. It just isn't good for young kids. They'll learn some colourful sayings.

My kids saved up for a PS4. A bit of research (and an honest sales assistant) says that all the games for the PS4 are not suitable for kids. It really is an adult console. In the end they got the 3.
I don't regret them having one. As someone mentioned above, they do enough camping, boating footy etc as well. My eldest boy though will play it all day if you let him. But there are no arguments when it's time to turn it off. My youngest gets bored of it in an hour or so.
I'm going to go with the consensus to not get a Wiii. They were a novelty when new, but IMO, not a good console.

We've had a Wii and just bought my 10 year old a PS3. We said basically games can only be with in your age limit and ratings. Thats why we went the PS3 as ATM the games for PS4, we were told suit a little older.

We had said no to any shooting games and yes my wife be known to me bought him Avatar, well they both said it works because your only shooting animals. Well my boy i noticed was getting a lot more excited and the other night i found he had somehow turned the game and was now killing people. The level of violence is nothing but i would defiantly not let them play the older games.

Especially as really the Law states not suitable for age limits for a reason. Its kind of the same as FB and social media. So many of my friends are having issues with their underage kids getting into trouble on them. As i said why "They are breaking the law if underage" So what are you teaching your kids if you let them lie and break the law. (sorry my pet gripe)

I now have a very good tool to threaten my son into doing his home work. DO it or you lose the game. Works a treat

But on weekends i think i will have to set a limit as he just ripped out 5 hours on Sunday, not bad considering we were out most of the day

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Dawn Patrol said..

If you can stretch it, try for the xbox one.

The 360 is fairly old technology now...and having grown up through the console age, kids know fairly quick what the latest and greatest is.

Plus the one is more of a home entertainment pack than just exclusively a console.

Car racing games are a fun non-violent game as well. And Forza 5 looks pretty good

And very fair warnings about online chat. It just isn't good for young kids. They'll learn some colourful sayings.

know what you are saying, but I think even he would rather an older platform with unlimited games. and $600 is out of the question, especially when you have to pay full price for every game from then on.
I bought my daughter a nintendo DS with 360 games on on mem card a few years ago. there are games she still hasn't played. I have done a bit of research and so long as I get an xbox 360 built before sept 2011 I can get a x key mod done for $160and have all the games on HDD. Dude will throw in almost 700 games (pretty much every game ever made for it) so long as I have enough HDD space (5 TB I think).
still, I am undecided....I do like the model idea.

I'd get him a football...

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Revhead said..

I'd get him a football...

he's got everything. and he kicks the footy often

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jbshack said..
Especially as really the Law states not suitable for age limits for a reason. Its kind of the same as FB and social media. So many of my friends are having issues with their underage kids getting into trouble on them. As i said why "They are breaking the law if underage" So what are you teaching your kids if you let them lie and break the law. (sorry my pet gripe)

+1 Was sick of hearing who cares they'll learn it anyway. My thoughts they're only young once

We were fairly strict on useage from day one and same as TV when he was young, but giving more rope as he got older, it's all a balancing act same time remembering it's not 1950 anymore

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firiebob said..

jbshack said..
Especially as really the Law states not suitable for age limits for a reason. Its kind of the same as FB and social media. So many of my friends are having issues with their underage kids getting into trouble on them. As i said why "They are breaking the law if underage" So what are you teaching your kids if you let them lie and break the law. (sorry my pet gripe)

+1 Was sick of hearing who cares they'll learn it anyway. My thoughts they're only young once

We were fairly strict on useage from day one and same as TV when he was young, but giving more rope as he got older, it's all a balancing act same time remembering it's not 1950 anymore

Its not that hard. I have a mate who has a daughter getting bullied on her phone all night. I said "but my daughter's phone goes on charge in the kitchen every night". He says, "but she needs it for an alarm clock?" I said by her an alarm clock for $20 from Big W

Also with PS3 there are a lot of games second hand for around $20.

get a super nintendo with mario, simple but fun

My 8 year old and 11 year old tell me what consoles they want. Im told PS4 is good but they will have till wait till chrissy. Ask which they would prefer if they could have 1.

second question
surfboard, bike, skateboard, and an imagination. My kids 7 and 11 use an i pad occaionally, subway surfer etc, but we try and keep it to a minimum. not much TV, limited PC, minimal I pad.
Its not easy but the 11 year old recentley told me he was glad he didnt have an i pod touch, as he was aware that some of his mates were "addcted" to it, we had a battle and nearly gave in on the I pod touch a couple of years ago.

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kat75 said..

My 8 year old and 11 year old tell me what consoles they want.

Pardon?
Your kids dictate what they want?

You are the parent, you supply what they need
There is a big difference between need and want - and kids are getting too used to automatically being handed the latest bling.

If they want to upgrade - make them earn it - so they learn to appreciate what they have.

We had similar attitudes from our boys
"All my friends have one - why cant you get me one" [the latest disposable toy / phone / 'puter / game thingo / I wotsit]
"Because your friends are lazy spoilt brats, and you know better."

You "want" to keep up with the Jones' , you earn it.
You "need" it - you got it.


stephen

however.........a big box of mecanno or lego technik stuff might get the fella inventing, and you can join in too.

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ikw777 said..

Forget the games and the screen time. Teach him skills that will last.

I used to make these and they are fun but if he wants to actually fly a modern fighter jet when he is finishes school make sure he gets on a Playstation early . ( or Xbox )
The majority of modern military systems from troop navigation, land vehicles all the way to nuclear subs are using gaming technology for user functionality for the reason that this is what the kids coming out of school already understand.
Gaming is now an important part of a kids education the building blocks to what can finish with a Surgeon completing heart surgery.
So though I agree making the old airfix model is a lot of fun , " teach him skills that will last " well he will be should you introduce him/ her to gaming.

I'm not sure if I agree entirely with you ggh (but that's only a matter of opinion), but I do agree that computer skills are a massive part of modern life, like it or not.
My 7 year old (yr 2) had to have a scientific calculator for school this year. I hasn't allowed to use a calculator until high school, and I'm sure there are some here who are about to cry they never had a calculator at all.

Edit to add the bit I don't agree with is the importance of gaming for a kid. It may be helpful, but I don't believe "important".

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sn said..

kat75 said..

My 8 year old and 11 year old tell me what consoles they want.

Pardon?
Your kids dictate what they want?

You are the parent, you supply what they need
There is a big difference between need and want - and kids are getting too used to automatically being handed the latest bling.

If they want to upgrade - make them earn it - so they learn to appreciate what they have.

We had similar attitudes from our boys
"All my friends have one - why cant you get me one" [the latest disposable toy / phone / 'puter / game thingo / I wotsit]
"Because your friends are lazy spoilt brats, and you know better."

You "want" to keep up with the Jones' , you earn it.
You "need" it - you got it.


stephen

however.........a big box of mecanno or lego technik stuff might get the fella inventing, and you can join in too.

Of course you ask them what they would like!!! What parent only supplies "what they need"?? What is this? 3rd world living on the poverty line?? If I hadn't expressed what I'd like then, for xmas, I'd have received even more unwanted knitted jumpers from Aunty Mildred!! Nothing to do with keeping up with anyone...everything to do with making a gift and it being something they will get use out of! The parent control comes in when what they ask for is something you don't believe they should have of you think is too extravagant.

Sheesh! If I didn't tell my wife what I want for birthday I'd have gotten a pair of socks instead of a brand spanking new carbon wave boom! Actually, scratch that...If I hadn't gone out and bought my own birthday present of a carbon boom I'd have gotten socks! : )

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kat75 said..

I asked my 9 and 11 year old My 8 year old and 11 year old tell me what consoles they want. Im told PS4 is good but they will have till wait till chrissy. Ask which they would prefer if they could have 1.

It was probably just a badly worded comment. Something that happens from time to time....

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Cambodge said..

Of course you ask them what they would like!!! What parent only supplies "what they need"?? : )

Hey, 'bodge - don't get me wrong.
Our boys never missed out on anything, its just that they had to put some effort in if they wanted "the latest", and both have done well because of it.

As for 'Chrissy presents, Sandwichmaker has only ever ONCE given me gunpowder for a Chrissy present,
Normally its "sensible stuff".
Still trying for the blooper, and bulk mk7ball ammo, but she put her foot down on those.


stephen

Here we go again, make a comment and it gets taken the wrong way. Simple fact, I dont use game consoles as I find them a waste of my life, if my kids want ti play its their preference. They all do the same stuff anyway, around the same price both xbox and playstation. Its no different to asking do you want a blue bike or a red one. And yes I give my kids choices, only robots get told what their every choice is.

And my kids dont get everything they ask for. I dont have issues giving a console to the kids at Christmas though.