Age for online gaming?

We buy my son computer games for his laptop and recently he started pushing to use the online gaming features of these games. He is 12. My opinion is that he is too young as we will be unable to monitor him. Any thoughts or similar experience?

 

Well, what games are they? If the interaction is limited (not chat features, no voice features, etc.) you are probably safe as long as he is properly educated. If, however, you are talking something like Ragnerok, WOW, the Battlefield series, I'd have him and his laptop parked in front of you when he plays.

 

The language in WoW type games is stuff you probably don't want your 12 year old exposed to, but most of it he'll hear from other sources anyways. I will say it's the best way to up your words per minute typing!

 

I help administer several online gaming servers. mostly FPS (CS, DOD, BF, COD4, TF2). We are a site dedicated to adult gaming. We automatically kick anyone under 18, simply because of the language and how disgusting most of us can be.

On the flip side there are gaming communities out there that are focused on keeping the humor clean. In BF2 you can set a server to kick for certain keywords (foul language, racism, etc..)

It's probably okay if he plays with you supervising exactly where he is playing and who he is playing with. It will take a little research on your part, but I know there are "clans" out there that keep things clean. That is of course if you don't mind the violence that is associate with games like that.

 

MonsterRain makes a very good point - some of the best BF2 & 2142 action I have been in are on "Christian" servers and clans.

 

Hah kaos if you have ever played BF2 or 2142 on any "OnA" servers, you know what I mean. The BF2 server name is RRHOA (I won't go into what each letter stands for)

 

Many thanks for the input.