Can anyone tell me how safe the site of "World of Warcraft" is? My 12yr old wants to play it, however it has gone very vertual since he use to play it with his uncle. I just don't know if it is a safe zone for a 12/13yr old young man to play. I don't want to limit him, as it is the only game he plays that connects him to his uncle who is to be deployed for the 3rd time in Sept. So, could you guys give me either a slap on the back of the head for being over protective, or tell me the downside. I'll be all eyes on this one, as I am on all the others. Thanks to all of you
|
Demexii
Posts:
16
From:
Hell
Registered:
10/27/06
|
|
(15 of 15)
Feb 16, 2008 5:07 PM
|
|
No, it doesn't. It just gets more heat because it has such a large userbase. Have you played this game? Have you played the other MMO games? Have you played Runescape, Maple Story, Guild Wars? Star Craft is a big problem in Korea with the number of people playing it. Everquest was said to have the same problem before WoW. People in Asia were killing each other over Lineage. This is an addiction to a video game more so than anything else. Internet addiction. Like I said it is a time managment problem. If someone is able to manage their time correctly it is fine. But this isn't something just specific to WoW. All MMO games have this same problem.
--
You win some, you lose some.
|
|
|
olav
Posts:
39
From:
Norway
Registered:
9/30/06
|
|
(14 of 15)
Feb 16, 2008 4:48 PM
|
|
I'm sorry, but Demexii you are wrong here. WoW stands out from any other known game. I Woostck have reached a sensible conclusion.
BtW - You have listet "Hell" as the place you live..
HELL is the name of a small railwaystation in Norway. (Visited by thousands of US tourists every year ! Taking pictures of the sign "Hell - Gods expedition" (gods - meaning luggage.......)
|
|
|
Demexii
Posts:
16
From:
Hell
Registered:
10/27/06
|
|
(13 of 15)
Feb 16, 2008 2:38 PM
|
|
World of Warcraft is not a bad game. The only thing to worry about is regulating online time. World of Warcraft (like most other internet games) rewards players for playing longer. And many times kids can fall victim to the need to want to be one of the best at the game and will continue to play even during times they shouldn't (such as bed/homework time). Even adults have problems with spending too much time on the game. I don't think this is a WoW problem as much as an MMORPG problem (you will get this out of everything, even Pirates and ToonDisney).
--
You win some, you lose some.
|
|
|
woodstock
Posts:
39
From:
gettysburg
Registered:
9/19/07
|
|
(12 of 15)
Feb 15, 2008 5:04 AM
|
|
I want to thank everyone who has been giving me thier suggestions to WoW! I have been reading everything, and considering it all. And to this I have come to this conclusion. I'm not letting my 12yr old go on WoW until he is at an age where he is on his own. And, he can make good, and mature decisions on his own. And, since he is bipolar, and is so influenced by everything he is surounder by. I have a greater responsibility to try and guide him to things that aren't so violent. And, let's face it everything in every facet of entertainment of our everyday life can be violent. Heck, I'm an alumi of NIU and look what is going on there! So, keeping him safe from WoW is almost feeling safe to me now! But, you guys are a great help!! Thank you to all of you!!
You know people you to say Woodstock, and the "Flower Child", generation was so bad! I'm thinking it was a really peaceful, loving time, compared to now. I was at the Democratic Convention in Chi., Town. But, even that seems tame now. Well, thank you again, and peace out!
|
|
|
Anne
Posts:
507
Registered:
6/26/06
|
|
(11 of 15)
Feb 12, 2008 7:16 AM
|
|
Olav, it's ok if it's something you're recommending and not a company you work for! If that's the case.... All best,
Anne
--
Anne Collier
ConnectSafely co-director
|
|
|
olav
Posts:
39
From:
Norway
Registered:
9/30/06
|
|
|
Ice Princess
Posts:
4
Registered:
1/26/08
|
|
(9 of 15)
Feb 12, 2008 1:56 AM
|
|
it all depends on the person playing. i spend no more than 2 hours playing (ive been play for 5 months). my average time spent playing each month is 1440 hours playing (compaired to my 4880 hours on school) WoW. my brother grounds me if i don't if i dont do my homework. honestly, 2 weeks without my computer is brutal (my friends live in England, the States, and Japan).
|
|
|
olav
Posts:
39
From:
Norway
Registered:
9/30/06
|
|
(8 of 15)
Feb 9, 2008 12:15 PM
|
|
Woodstock:
I have only tried out WoW a few times - and I am pretty sure I will not sit back and watch my son spend much time there.
WoW is a phenomenon. There are plenty of games that may look pretty much the same - but hang on here :
In the Netherlands there are three clinics for WoW addicted youth.
In China and even more - in Japan there are several hundred suicides every year as a result of WoW-depressions. They reach level 61 (I think) and then what - ???????
If you have spent every free moment of your time for three years to climb the WoW-ladder - and finally reach the top - then what ?
To be able to move faster and overcome obstacles you have to A: Earn the "passes" through hard work - or
B: Buy these online.
In Shanghai there is a "Factory". 160 teens are living there - solving WoW problems 14 hours a day. Whatever they solve can be bought online - and this is expensive !!
(BTW - these teenagers are not paid to work - The sheer ability to sit nonstop behind state-of-the-art computers - and getting free pizzas is enough.)
So - Is WoW dangerous ?
In terms of bogeymen,intruders,viruses etc - No it is not!
In terms of stealing your kids social life ? Most definetly !
|
|
|
Agent Brooks
Posts:
7
From:
Pacific North-West
Registered:
2/6/08
|
|
(7 of 15)
Feb 7, 2008 12:38 AM
|
Also, for fun mom and son gaming, try PuzzlePirates. Here one can safely engage in all sorts of skulduggery on the high seas from the comfort of your own home, FOR FREE!!! http://www.puzzlepirates.com/ The social aspect in the game is important. If one is to go "pillaging" they need to get onto a Pirate Crew, these crews will go sailing and raiding, exercising teamwork, while individually navigating the wild seas of problem solving inherent in such games. I like the game, my mom like the game, my little sister likes the game... Everyone likes the game!!! |
|
|
Anne
Posts:
507
Registered:
6/26/06
|
|
(6 of 15)
Jan 18, 2008 5:10 AM
|
Sounds like Eli's a lucky kid, Woodstock. Good luck pushing the Wii! 
Anne
--
Anne Collier
ConnectSafely co-director |
|
|
woodstock
Posts:
39
From:
gettysburg
Registered:
9/19/07
|
|
(5 of 15)
Jan 18, 2008 4:43 AM
|
|
Thank you both Izzy, and Anne! I read your articles Anne and they where both very mind opening. Kind of like mind blowing! I am from the 60's after all, and did go to Woodstock. And Izzy thanks for the Pirates on line game. I checked it out. I could get in to that one. We have seen all the movies. Heck we have have to buy them since I'm in a scooter chair, and we don't have a car. But, that looked really cool! But, Eli's aunt got him, of all things a Wii for Christmas! Yeah!!!! And, I would really like to see him play that more than sat and play on line games. It would get him off of his butt, and moving. But, can you believe he plays with his Nitendo, and the computer more than the Wii! I play with the Wii from my chair more than he does! So, I limit his time on the computer to two hours. Sometimes it goes to 2and a half. But, I thank any more than that is overboard. But, if I could just unglue that Nitendo DX out of his hand. But, I guess I should be happy he hasn't gone on any other virtual games, or put a Myspace on yet. I'm waiting for that day! Heck, I'm thinking of putting him in a metal box with a air supply, a tolit, all his games, TV, food, water, and home schooling him until his 18 and then he can go to college. That way I won't have to go through puverty with another child. Not a good idea! Oh well, just a thought! In all of this computer tech age it is a lot tougher to raise a child than it was with my first ones. Heck I just had to worry if they were drinking or doing weed. Wait that sounds like what I did. Oh yeah that why it was a lot easier with them. I could really tell with them, and we could relate a lot easier. I'm trying to do the same with this one wish me luck! That's why I stay in touch with all of you! I want to stay one step ahead of him! So, I can talk to him on his level. Not AT him on what I think is MY level. That always worked before. Thank you all for being there for me, and keep me in your prayers. His bipolar, and asperbers, and hitting puverty like a flash back from the my pass! Boy, am I in for it. I'm glad his not a girl. No PMS, Pack My Bags!
|
|
|
Maureen
Posts:
666
Registered:
6/13/07
|
|
(4 of 15)
Jan 17, 2008 7:46 PM
|
|
Welcome back Izzy, and thanks for weighing in. It's good to hear from someone who's tried it.
Maureen
~
Maureen Kochan
ConnectSafely forum manager
|
|
|
izzy Neis
Posts:
10
From:
Chicago, IL
Registered:
10/23/06
|
|
(3 of 15)
Jan 17, 2008 4:49 PM
|
I can't really speak too thoroughly about WoW & your decisions for your young teen. I've played it, and as with most things, there's pros & there's con's to it introducing a younger player to an adult-based community. From someone who works in this market, I would PERSONALLY say-- It is NOT really appropriate for the U13 set. However, with parental permission, kids can basically do anything. So, the ball is in your court. I would suggest introducing your child to Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean Online. It's a bit more gateway from casual MMO/gaming into the harder MMO environments-- plus, it's safer & MADE for 10+. http://apps.pirates.go.com/pirates/v3/ WoW was not made for younger players, therefore you do not have the same kind of protection from live moderators & poignant admin policy appropriate for the younger demographic. Best of luck! Izzy Neis -- Edited by izzy Neis at 01/17/2008 5:16 PM |
|
|
Anne
Posts:
507
Registered:
6/26/06
|
|
(2 of 15)
Jan 17, 2008 5:37 AM
|
Woodstock, I'd like to hear from other community members on this too. You emailed us admins about it, and I hope you got my response. Just in case not, I'll post it here:
I haven't played WoW myself, so this is not from first-hand experience, but my own child has looked over the shoulder of a friend who's an avid player, and - for NetFamilyNews.org - I've interviewed a 14-year-old player whose mother, a librarian in the eastern US, has mixed feelings about it (I talked with her about it to get permission to speak with her son). I think the answer is - as usual - "it depends on the kid." The player I spoke with has a good head on his shoulders and a good mom, who doesn't overreact when homework gets slighted occasionally but keeps him on track and watches it pretty carefully. So he's just fine in the game, I think. The only real problem with WoW, and it's a significant issue for kids learning self-discipline, is the "leveling" phenomenon, something most multiplayer online role-playing games share - it's what makes them kind of "addictive." You want/need to spend more and more time to work your way up thru the levels, get more power, more virtual weapons, etc., etc. So the thing this one mom watches really carefully is amount of time spent and maintaining a sense of balance between virtual world/real world, schoolwork/playtime, indoors/outdoors, WoW friends/real-world friends. But she kind of likes that he has friends of various ages in WoW, that they're a diverse, interesting group of people, that it's a collaborative game (e.g., in the guilds players join), etc. So - at least when I spoke with them both a year ago - she was letting him play. I hope that answers your question somewhat. For more on World of Warcraft, search my blog, NetFamilyNews.org or use the search box at the top of this page on my server for lots of news items on WoW. It's a pretty interesting phenomenon, with a whole cottage industry in China revolving around young Chinese players getting paid by players in first-world countries to take the time to work the latter up through the levels (in a New York Times story I linked to from my blog a year or so ago). Of course, there's a real online-safety downside to multiplayer online games which are extremely rare but which parents need to be alert to - see this predation story I blogged about.
Anne
--
Anne Collier
ConnectSafely co-director |
|
|
woodstock
Posts:
39
From:
gettysburg
Registered:
9/19/07
|
|
(1 of 15)
Jan 17, 2008 4:30 AM
|
|
Can anyone tell me how safe the site of "World of Warcraft" is? My 12yr old wants to play it, however it has gone very vertual since he use to play it with his uncle. I just don't know if it is a safe zone for a 12/13yr old young man to play. I don't want to limit him, as it is the only game he plays that connects him to his uncle who is to be deployed for the 3rd time in Sept. So, could you guys give me either a slap on the back of the head for being over protective, or tell me the downside. I'll be all eyes on this one, as I am on all the others. Thanks to all of you
|
|
|
|
|
