XBox and your kids.

[suzster]

Not sure how many of your kids have Xbox but i read this disturbing article which could be the future problem of how predators are getting access to our children. Sick, these creeps will stop at nothing. Has anyone seen this? I attached an exceprt because the entire article was too long to post.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_451364.html

Protection from predators

By Chuck Biedka
Tribune-Review News Service
Sunday, May 7, 2006

In the realm of people who use the Internet to prey on children, there is a new tool: the Xbox 360.

Cyber predators wasted no time figuring out that the wildly popular game system can put them in contact with youngsters.

A feature on Microsoft Xbox 360 game systems allows voice communication for direct, real-time contact between players -- in addition to the instant messaging or chat rooms used by other games.

[barbszy]

This is a danger in any Internet game that allows for voice chat. My teenager uses "team speak" when playing some of those games. It's one of the reasons we won't install it on DH's computer (which is not in a public area of our home). My son is sitting right there and we can hear what he says.

We have made it clear that he will lose the privilege of playing the game if he crosses any lines, which include giving out too much personal info.

Thanks, Suzster, for posting the link to this article. It's definitely an important reminder for parents of gamers.

[ajrsmom]

I thank you, too, for posting this. My son isn't involved in playing group games like this yet but you can never be too careful, in my opinion.

As parents, we are always trying to stay on top of things for when he does reach an age when he will become involved in group games like this. This is so scary!

[suzster]

barbszy, I was just shocked because I had no idea that you could converse with other people playing the same game as you. WOW, has technology advanced since the first Mario Brothers, LOL. I think its a great idea that you have your son in a common area playing the game so that things cannot get out of hand without your knowledge. Its great that we have resources such as Cybertipline, they arent only good for the internet, now for Xbox as well.

[nickywyn]

wow. this is news to me too. since you're up on the latest perhaps you know something about this.

ds asked for an account with a company called gamefly. they rent video games online like netflix does for movies. it seems a lot better than buying them full price. but i don't know much about them, except what i found on their website.

they gave parental controls.

[nickywyn]

I really be interested to hear if someone had used this service and what they thought. here is their website address if that helps.

http://www.gamefly.com/easy/

[barbszy]

I haven't used a game rental service. Sometimes my kids buy used games instead of paying full price. They also rely on their friends for reviews.

[nickywyn]

might this get a better response on a busier thread? i've read some reviews but i'd like some feedback from parents.

[barbszy]

You might want to open up a thread in "Elementary Aged Kids."

I have looked around but haven't seen a similar topic. If you open up a new thread, it will appear in next week's "Questions of the Week Newsletter" and all FC subscribers will see your question!

[nickywyn]

Thanks!