5th grader asked about nintendo

amother

OP ↓

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 7:56 am

And I am clueless

Is this internet free? Can he access websites on it or just games we buy for him? Does it need a tv screen to connect to? Is this appropriate for a kid in a Lakewood yeshiva?

Also curious what the price is for a Nintendo. I see prices ranging from $199 to $350 and have no idea what the difference is.

And what sort of games do the kids like to play?

amother

Snow

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 8:04 am

In the midst of buying one

I understand that it connects to the Internet but doesn't have a browser.

You don't need a monitor/TV screen but it can connect to one.

amother

↑ OP

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 8:07 am

amother Snow wrote:

In the midst of buying one

I understand that it connects to the Internet but doesn't have a browser.

You don't need a monitor/TV screen but it can connect to one.

What’s the cost of a good one and the cost of games?

amother

Sunflower

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 8:39 am

I bought the Nintendo lite. It can only connect the Internet for buying games. I don't give ds password to buy games, I review and purchase myself.

amother

Oleander ↓

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 8:54 am

Nintendo switch we have- we only buy game cards not downloadable games and it is only connected to internet if games need to be updated. And then all WiFi details deleted until the next time.
Game cards cost more but it’s worth it for us.

amother

Topaz

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 9:05 am

I bought my son a switch 2 years ago. It came a few hours before Shabbos. He played a few hours. That whole Shabbos he would ask, can I have the switch? .....Can I have the switch? It's horrible how he became addicted so quickly. And he's obnoxious whenever he's on it and we try to take it away. And I know many people who's children are similar. Don't buy it. And yes we have parental controls.

amother

↑ Oleander

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 9:24 am

amother Oleander wrote:

Sorry should have added- we aren’t yeshivish nor from lakewood, but it was the internet bit I was informing about.

HonesttoGod

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 9:57 am

Yes it can have internet access but there are many options to keep it safe.
Including “levels” of the kids age that only allows certain things (such as no internet no chatting no downloads etc)
And there are also parental controls where the thing switches off after specific time. You can also set a bedtime and different times for different days. And get a ful report at the end of each day on who played what game for how long.

amother

Peach

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 10:35 am

We have nite do switch. Only buy the actually discs I never allow a download nor do I allow hooking up a few together so they can play against each other as I believe u need internet or WiFi for that. Bh ds loves it and doesn’t ask anymore for downloads. The discs aren’t cheap but he earns them!!

amother

Tangerine

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 11:08 am

We dont have a Nintendo and I dont plan on ever buying one. And I have kids fromagwan1-;!

They are so addictive and full of shtissim why would you want your child to be glued to a machine when they can be playing with friends or reading.

amother

Daisy

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 11:51 am

There are older consoles that you can get that do not have wifi capabilities and the games are still pretty good. Dh still has the DS that he had as a teen/young adult and the game cards and we let our kids ise it. No internet capabilities and not nearly as addictive as the newer devices with the better graphics etc.

amother

Whitesmoke

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 2:16 pm

Regarding internet, I got the wifi removed in Lakewood by TAG. They don't take responsibility if it malfunctions, breaks etc because of what they did.

Nintendo works well and cannot connect to anything and can only be used with actual discs.

As far as becoming addicted to it, that's a biggie. You definitely need to have strict guidelines for what days/times you allow and just give it to kids then. If there are no rules, good luck....

There is definitely a time and place for everything. In the summer my son had more free time and less friends so I just allowed to play with it much more. As soon as yeshivah started, I reestablished old rules. Always kept the switch in my closet and not by the kids.

giftedmom ↓

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 2:17 pm

amother Sunflower wrote:

I bought the Nintendo lite. It can only connect the Internet for buying games. I don't give ds password to buy games, I review and purchase myself.

If you don’t set parental controls your kids can message other players and see news articles and videos

↑ giftedmom

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 2:19 pm

amother Topaz wrote:

I bought my son a switch 2 years ago. It came a few hours before Shabbos. He played a few hours. That whole Shabbos he would ask, can I have the switch? .....Can I have the switch? It's horrible how he became addicted so quickly. And he's obnoxious whenever he's on it and we try to take it away. And I know many people whose children are similar. Don't buy it. And yes we have parental controls.

Same happened which is why I downloaded parental controls app and it’s set on 0time for every day. They get time as a treat. Either on Fridays after bath, or if I want to bribe them, or I’m sick etc. I treat it as screentime.

amother

Skyblue

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 3:21 pm

amother Topaz wrote:

That sounds normal for a new exciting toy, my son is like that when he gets a new puzzle

FWIW, I grew up with video games and Nintendo, I have no issue with screen time and am responsible with how much I spend on my phone/computer. DH who always wanted one but was never allowed any video games has a hardcore addiction to them now that causes major shalom bayis and safety issues

I’m not saying that’s always the case but saying don’t buy it isn’t always the right answer either