I play World of Warcraft. Not only do I play WoW, I’m an officer in my guild called Gamers Trust. Frankly, at the end of a stressful day, it’s fun to virtually suit up and kill some monsters. This is a screenshot of us at the end of a big raid we’d been working on for months.
The gaming environment can be pretty stressful though if you’re a parent. People online interacting in real time leaves a big window open for abuse. <GT> exists to create a safe place for kids and a drama-free zone for adults to play. There is a strict code of conduct, members have to apply to join, and everyone is known by their real names, not just character names. Often in these games, objectives can only be achieved by working together, and in that sense <GT> promotes teamwork and leadership skills.
<GT> members often become friends in real life, too. In fact, I met my husband through the guild, and we have enjoyed almost 4 wonderfully nerdy years together.
The Entertainment Software Rating Board performs a similar function, in that they’re the ones who slap that sticker on each game letting you know if, by their standards, it’s appropriate for your 9 year old to play. However, this rarely takes into account an online environment where people are…well…people. You can’t stop others from hiding behind their online anonymity and behaving like idiots, but you can put your kid in a group (or join one yourself) that doesn’t put up with that junk.
If you know of any other groups of gamers who strive to do what <GT> does, let me know. I’d love to see what is working for them. Together we can create a better gaming environment for everyone.
Latest posts by Becky Brett Caldwell (see all)
- Your Guide for Gaming Parents and Their Kids - January 31, 2013
