Brain Teaches His Son an Important Lesson in Online Gaming

I grew up playing video games. My son Chase has too. But the big difference between his gaming and what I played as a child, is that he can play online. The internet changed the gaming world too, allowing you to team up with friends and strangers from around the block, or around the world. But just like in the real world, kids can also gang up on you and destroy things you worked hard to create.

I found out that Chase and some of his friends from school had gotten together online. They all played a certain game together in which you can create your own world, and build and create within the environment. Some sort of disagreement took place within the group, and one of them threatened to destroy what Chase had built. He didn't like that, so Chase went into THAT kids world and destroyed some of his things. Obviously feelings were hurt, and I got a phone call.

I told Chase that what he did online was no different than picking on a kid at school. It's not right. I've always preached to him that I never want to hear about him picking on other kids. Bullying is huge problem in schools today and I WILL NOT have him being any part of it. I told him I understood how easy it can be when you're in a group of friends and one person says, 'hey lets do this', and what peer pressure can be like. But I told him that the rules that apply in real life, must also apply online. Chase called his friend and apologized for his actions. He was then grounded from online gaming for awhile.

Sometimes kids can forget that when they grab the controller, and put on a mic, that there is still another person on the other end. You aren't playing the 'computer'. Your opponent has feelings too.