Predators and Gaming Consoles

 

 There’s an article in USA Today regarding predators and gaming consoles. Although this problem is not news to us gaming parents, it is definitely something all parents should worry about.

Parents who don’t game, or are not aware of the communication abilities of their children’s consoles, are going to get a rude awakening if they are not parent-protecting their child’s account. Predators are alive and well on XBL (Xbox Live), and it is our job to control our minor child’s gaming activity.

Luckily, there are easy communication restrictions available on any child’s Xbox Live account.

FIND THEM AND USE THEM.

• Block incoming messages
• Don’t approve new friends until you’ve played, or previewed them first
• Keep your kids out of camera-enabled games such as UNO
• Beware of fileshare photos on games like Halo 3 (Rated ‘M’ means ‘Mature,’ NOT ‘Minor’)
• Password protect your child’s account, so he or she cannot change the settings
• Be in the room, or within earshot, while your child plays with others
• Most importantly, talk to your children about predators online. Giving them the tools to deal with inappropriate people online will make them feel empowered, and will likely make them less of a target

IF you or your child runs into a gamer who is inappropriate online:

• Report them. Select their gamertag, go to ‘file a complaint,’ and select the appropriate options.
• Afterwards, go to the feedback option and leave negative feedback and select ‘avoid player.’
• If your child receives an inappropriate photo, DO NOT DELETE. Save the message/photo with the sender’s Gamertag and contact XBL, or your local authorities. Sending pornographic pictures to a minor is a CRIME and XBL will work with authorities to prosecute the offender.

Overall, the more we report these sickos, the faster they’ll be kicked off of ‘Live,’ and the quicker the rest of us can go back to using the console for what it’s meant for – having fun.

Stay safe and happy gaming!

- Mommy DX

 

Another reason to love Bungie and Halo 3

 

Something incredibly cute and profound happened this morning and I just had to share…

A little background first…I’m a SAHM, but i’m a WORKING SAHM; meaning, I stay at home with my child, AND I work a full-time job from home. Usually, while i’m earning a paycheck, my 8 yr. old son, Knucklehead, spends his time playing on one of our two Xbox’s with what I like to call his ’summertime Xbox buddies.’

Now, these regular gamer-buddies range in age from 8 to 12 yrs. old. Yes, they are the young kids that so many of us adult gamers complain about. Not because they are vulgar or rude, but because they are loud – and happy – and ask lots of innocent questions during matchmaking – and are blissfully unaware of how their yappiness grinds the nerves of us…mature gamers.

Now, these little ones don’t always make the most ideal teammates on H3, but when a room full of 8-12 yr. olds get into a room together for a little forging – it becomes quite magical.

For example, this morning, i’m upstairs programming away, and suddenly I hear my son say, ‘We’ll put our merchandise over here…’; ‘wait, wait – let’s put the parking lot here…,’  ‘Ok – i’ll work the cash register…,’ ‘what would you like? Ok! Thank you for shopping with us!’

Now, I thought for sure he was playing H3, but his dialogue thoroughly confused me, so i went downstairs to have a look at what he was doing. Sure enough, there he was, controller in hand and headset on head, forging with his little buddies. Only this time, they weren’t seeing how many times they could stick one another with a grenade, counting how many different ways a mongoose can fly up a man-cannon, or chasing each other around on ‘Snowbound.’

No, this time, they were playing in a supermarket that they, (or someone else), had forged out of shipping crates. There was a parking lot and a store front; aisles for products, and a customer service counter; there were even displays for weapons and vehicles. Each child had assigned himself a job: a customer, a cashier, a stock boy, even a merchandiser who’d make displays. 

I sat there for a while – watching and listening to their clever banter, and I realized how much they, (and I), were learning from this experience. They were cooperating, performing job-related tasks, and architecturally designing their own store. They were being kind, asking if anyone needed help, and assisting each other with their purchases.

And i’m left sitting there, totally amazed, not only at how well these children were playing with one another, but wondering why I ever worried about how much time they were spending on a video game in the first place. Watching these young children build something together in this virtual sandbox…cooperating, learning, experimenting, playing…it was very inspiring to see. 

I almost feel bad…no, I DO feel bad, for those parents who listen to the politicians, and parental groups…to those who say that video games are bad for our children. Their kids may never know what it’s like to play in Bungie’s world. They may never know what it’s like to create, to learn, and to role-play online with friends. This technology is truly the wave of our future, and I can only hope that as the gaming industry, and Bungie, grows – that they spend more time reaching out to parents who DON’T game, so that their children will get to make their own virtual supermarkets one day too. <3

- Mommy DX

Club Penguin

Summer is here, and if parents are looking for a chilly place for their children to play this summer, then hop on over to Disney’s coolest MMO, ‘Club Penguin.’

Club Penguin is an icey virtual world which includes a whole host of fun activities for kids. Children choose and name their very own penguin, and can join the hundreds of other kids online to play games, earn coins, adopt pets, chat, shop, dance, and even customize their own igloo. 

Everyone can play the limited membership for free, which includes a multitude of games as well as the ability to chat and play with others. There is limited access to servers with free membership, so depending on the time of day, there may be some rooms that are full. However, there are three levels of paid membership that allows for full customization of characters and igloos, as well as greater access to servers.

As with all online Disney applications, Club Penguin is a safe place for kids to play. The site is live moderated, and parents choose the chatting restrictions on each account. 

Overall, Club Penguin is a ton of fun, and is a great way for children to familiarize themselves with online play. And with everything there is to do on this site, kids will be largely entertained this Summer for a very small price.

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Spring Break Savers, Part III

 

By: Mommy DX

Choosing video games that are age-appropriate for children is not always easy. If your child is an avid gamer, you may have your game-choosing criteria all figured out, but what do you do if you have to make game choices for other people’s children?

Usually, Spring Break means a house full of friends and classmates, both ranging in age and maturity. And if you have forgotten to ask the parents what games are acceptable for their kids to play, then you are often left to make the choice alone.

Of course, the no-brainer is to stick with titles that are ESRB rated ‘E’ for Everyone. However, the majority of these games are single-players, which means children will have to share a console, and that almost always ends up something breaking, or someone getting hurt.

Incidentally, a great way to avoid the next Wrestlemania being held in your living room, is to let the children play in the Xbox Live Arcade. (XBLA) There are so many great, multiplayer games to choose from, that are not only fun, but challenging and youth-friendly. Most games will cost a few Microsoft Points, or about $5.00, (Microsoft Point Converter), which can be purchased right from the Xbox 360 console, or with a pre-paid card from the local game store. Some of the titles that are sure to be kid-favorites are Bomberman Live, Feeding Frenzy, Boogie Bunnies, and one of XBLA’s newest releases, Mr. Driller Online. However, there are many more titles from which one may choose.

Additionally, one of XBLA’s greatest features are the game demos. Parents can easily preview most game content, and children can play a sample of each title before buying, which is great if you want to make sure the game will hold your child’s interest. And if you’re very fortunate,  the demos might actually keep the kiddies entertained a while for free.

Overall, XBLA is a huge resource of family-friendly entertainment, and the next time you have a houseful, spread out the controllers, select the Xbox Live Arcade, and enjoy a little fun gaming between friends.

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Spring Break Savers

“Let the wild rumpus start!” – Where the Wild Things Are

Ahhh – hear that? It’s the gleeful cheers of giddy children being released for Spring Break!! In my household, not only does Spring Break signify more time spent outside, but it also means our game consoles and PC’s are going to get a hefty workout.

For parents who game, choosing game titles and/or websites for their children may be a no-brainer. But for the majority of parents who don’t game, a trip to the local game store, or searching the web for kid-friendly sites can be a major source of frustration.

So, for the next few days, i’ll be listing Spring Break saving video and online games that are child-friendly and virtually worry-free.

Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean Online - Some people may save the best for last, but I had to share this gem with you first! Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean Online game is an amazing, FREE, multiplayer game for the PC. Note: If the game is made by Disney, then it is probably kid-friendly. The Pirates of the Caribbean Online game is no exception and it actually won Gameindustry.com’s 2007 Online Game of the Year.

In this game, players have the chance to create their own pirates, go on various adventures, and dig for buried treasure. There are also mini-games throughout the island that include finding members for a virtual crew, scavaging for goodies, or repairing a boat for a sail across the virtual sea.

Players have the option to roam the island alone, or can ask others to join their online crew. Now, if the thought of your child playing online with others makes you wary, please note that communication between live players is not required, and may not even be noticed by younger children. That being said, if you have a tween that can type, they will be able to chat with other players. So, as with all online chat features, parents may want to be in the room while their older child chats online with others.

Incidentally, this game requires registration, and there is an option for paid membership. However, the game can be played just fine for free, and creating an account is completely worth the effort. Overall, Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean Game Online is loads of fun, and the best part is that it will keep your Spring Break’er nicely entertained and out of trouble.

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