Study shows that parents avoid playing video games with their kids

by Scott Jon Siegel { Nov 13th 2007 at 4:30AM }

So here's a logical reaction: Parents who don't approve of their children's video game habits, instead of playing with them, simply voice their resentment of games and then look the other way. Makes sense, right? Right?

The results of a poll released by the Associated Press and AOL Games show that 43% of parents never join or even watch their children playing video games. The AP's coverage is peppered with the oh-so-normal parental sound-bytes in response to gaming, calling it a waste of time, and claiming that the violence and obsession are unhealthy for young kids.

What we don't get is if the parents are so concerned over what their kids are playing, then why aren't they paying closer attention? It seems that John Davison's latest venture couldn't come soon enough.

Full disclosure: AOL owns Weblogs, Inc., which in turn owns Joystiq. Joystiq, in turn, pwns.

[Thanks, Jan]

Tags: children, parents, studies, study

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

ThornedVenom @ Nov 13th 2007 4:39AM

That's the dumbest question ever: it's always easier to blame something or someone else than to take responsibility and to change our habits.

Dan @ Nov 13th 2007 8:21AM

Absolutely, I mean, the results speak for themselves:
"We don't approve of gaming, so we simply stop raising our children and leave them to do it themselves."

ALH @ Nov 13th 2007 5:15AM

Sounds about right, but i cant help but wonder why the parents buy consoles for little timmy when they dont approve of little timmy playing videogames. Is pester power really that strong? whatever happened to being happy with what you were given?

I wasnt allowed a console until i was 8 or so, incidentally, though there was significantly less big a deal about what we played before GTA- even if 16 bit consoles had blood and spine ripping, it was very much recognisable as a game.

I think a lot of us used to gaming find it hard to look in from the outside. My non-gaming parents will ask if the games im playing are movies- my mother found it hard to believe i was controlling the action when i was playing shadow of the colossus one night. Oldskool 16 bit or low poly 3d stuff they understand- the graphics are quite clearly computerised, this is a game. But with special effects in movies and graphics in-game how they are now, i really think a lot of less techhy parents probably see games as much more horribly realistic and potentially brutal than any of us posting here do.

as much as i moan about my dissatisfaction with my own wii, if nintendo can bring gaming to ignorant parents and educate them about what theyre buying for their precious spawn perhaps more will pay attention to whats asked of on their xmas list.

Poisoned Al @ Nov 13th 2007 5:22AM

Since the birth of civilization, anything young people like that old people don't get must be bad for you. Today it's video games. Before it was rock music. Before that, movies. Hell, William Shakespeare was thought of as a menace in his day and so was poetry in a number of early civilizations too.

It's simply becuase one, it's easier to denounce something then learn something new, and two, older people love to complain about everything.

What's sad is that we'll all be exactly the same when some new thing comes along.

"Zero-G football! BAH! what's wrong with playing wholesome video games huh?"

Sidepocket @ Nov 13th 2007 5:37AM

Calling it a waste of time, and claiming that the violence and obsession are unhealthy for young kids.

So is Football, Cigarettes, Porno Movies, ect. I rather have my kids playing video games than to get into that crap. Football maybe, but no getting drunk and half naked with paint all over you.

Oh and Posion, we do have that. Its called the "Emo Subculture". XD

mr mobius @ Nov 13th 2007 6:05AM

Next month Joystiq:

PETA and RSPCA proclaim Galaxy is wrong.
by Scott Jon Siegel Dec 9th 2007 4:30PM 12 Comments
Filed under: Culture

The RSPCA and PETA have today jointly announced that they encourage parents to not allow their kids to purchase Super Mario Galaxy because of the unneccessary violence portrayed towards innocent creatures. The designers of this game include small animal-like creatures called 'Goombas' which are designed for the pure aim of the lead character 'Mario' - clearly the moustache makes him evil - to hit and abuse, eventually leading to the creatures being killed and Mario gaining money to spent on his ho in anither galaxy. This violence needs to be cut down, especially at Christmas when quite a few young kids get both Galaxy and a dog.

Remember kids, a dog is for life, not just for spin attacks.

Video of this violence after the break.

Psaakyrn @ Nov 13th 2007 6:14AM

Has anyone tried asking parents whether their lack of playing with kids could be due to jealousy or fear of humiliation?

James @ Nov 13th 2007 7:22AM

I was running about on the ol' Metroid Prime 3 and my dearest mother saw what was going on and asked if she could have a go, since "well that Wii Sports was quite fun". Took her a bit to get into it but she's loving it now. It is the first time (barring Wii Sports) that we've ever played a game together though.

My pops just thinks they're a waste of time. And he's right.

Jake @ Nov 13th 2007 7:50AM

There is a bit of irony here if you look hard. That 43% of parents totally disapproves of games and won't play them with their kids. They think they are bad for their kids. Yet, they won't take a little time out of their busy days to try to experience something with their kid that is on their kid's level.

I mean, how can having an experience with your child be a waste of time?

generic @ Nov 13th 2007 8:00AM

Ugly kids.

Scaught @ Nov 13th 2007 7:58AM

I have been playing videogames since I was 4. Maybe even sooner. I remember playing the Atari 2600 on a 12" Black and white TV.

I am now 29. I am the parent of a 4 month old. I actually am excited at the thought that I will get to play videogames with her (my wife, an avid gamer, is excited as well).

I can't imagine not even being curious over your child's interests. But that is how it goes for most parents. I remember my mom always saying how videogames were a waste of time and were rotting my brain. She never stopped me from playing them of course, she just complained about them. Of course now I have a masters degree and a great job in the biotech industry. I am not saying that videogames are the reason for my successes in life. I am just pointing out that my brain never rotted.

Right now, the most interaction my daughter has had with videogames is holding onto a Wii controller. Though the way she has been swining her arms lately, I may let her have a crack at tennis in Wii sports.

WizarDru @ Nov 13th 2007 8:18AM

Before people get all worked up, let's take a good look at that poll, shall we? It was a PHONE POLL, for starters, which immediately calls into question its veracity, since I know many people who will refuse to take such a poll on principle (they don't like being bothered over the phone).

We have no breakdown of the demographics of the poll, but one thing is clear: a lot of the parents who don't play video games are OLDER. The article points out that the older participants tend not to play video games AT ALL. Is it really surprising that father born in 1952 isn't really into playing a video game? Seriously, is this news to anyone?

Notice that the father in his thirties DOES play with his kids and DOES know what they're playing. I have two kids and I'm looking forward to some Galaxy tonight...and I know of friends who have been playing different games with their kids, as well.

Never mind the rather large margin of error on the poll, which calls the results into question, in my mind.

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Nov 13th 2007 11:30AM

My father was born in 55. He's getting UT3 for Christmas.

clichedgeek @ Nov 13th 2007 8:22AM

My father, who says he would love to be able to play gmaes on consoles (he has tried but he doesnt he is good enough, he likes play casual games online however), will sit down, if he has some free time and watch my brother play games(I dont live at home any more). He has his personal favourites that he prefers to watch, he loves ratchet and clank.

My Mother, like to play games. She will ask can she join in, if it is a game that she likes.

While in Ireland, we dont have any (that I have noticed) public out cry by parents about video game ratings -manhunt 2 banning was even really talked about - both of my parents like to know what he is playing. And they will question him about what the games is about and doing there parental duty.

When I was still at home and MGS2 came out, he was just under the rating of the game and my parents were not sure if they wanted him playing it. As soon as I showed them you could turn down the level of blood it made my mother happier and he was allowed play it. There has been cases where they have said no and he will/has respected it.

Isnt it amazing parents can actually make a decission about theit kids themself with the need for help from the state, they just need to get involved and that is what is lacking.

there is mostly a point there some where.

sheppy2.0 @ Nov 13th 2007 8:41AM

Oh goody, do I get to throw my story in here? Essentially, I was a small child, eagerly awaiting Mortal Monday. For those out of the know, Mortal Kombat ushered a drastic change in how games were sold since this was the first time ever that games had preorders taken at most retailers and a release date was known to the actual public and advertised. Anywho... my mother had caught a news program on the evils of Mortal Kombat and was dead set against this game. I told her that was the game I played at the local Pizza Hut everytime we went (A slight lie, it was Samurai Showdown.... I loves Neo Geo) and so she agreed to go with me to a local arcade and see this game that's sooo controversial. After watching me and several others perform evils acts, she said she didn't understand the fuss and I was allowed to buy it.

fawazr @ Nov 13th 2007 9:52AM

Hmmm... this kind of counters the recent ESA study that concluded that 47% of all all adults play video games and that the average age of gamers is 37. The earlier study also said that 80% of all parents monitored their children's gaming. Now why would AOL (Time Warner) contradict earlier studies by implying that video games are primarily an unchecked children's activity? Wouldn't have anything with video games stealing adult audiences away from movies, music, and television, would it? Or is it the fact that so many young adults purchase cable solely for broadband these days, and not to watch ads on cable?

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Nov 13th 2007 11:32AM

Count me in the group that has cable for internet only.

gonk @ Nov 13th 2007 12:21PM

i have cable for internet/tv, but i always change the channel during commercials :)

Game Artist @ Nov 13th 2007 11:48AM

I think the real story here is that the majority of parents today (57%) DO watch or play video games with their kids. I think that's good news, and its only going to go up. People who really grew up on games are only now getting to their mid 30's, And that was the Atari generation.

stik_man @ Nov 13th 2007 11:58AM

Of course they don't play games with there kids. Have you ever head little Timmy tring to tank some epic dragon while you debuff the mob? He can't hold agro for shit!

Street fighter? after you kick little Timmy's ass for the 5 millionth round cause he can't do shit but jump straight up and mash the jab button you won't want to play with him anymore!

So yah give little Timmy 10 years or so to hone his skills then maybe mom and dad will want to play with him.

monsterzro @ Nov 13th 2007 12:03PM

I regularly play the Wii and the Ps2 with my 8 year old daughter, and we have Elite Beat Agent duals on the DS.

I've exposed her to gaming since showing her Elmo's Number Adventure on the N64. The systems are in the living room, and she has to ask before she plays.