Parents, don' blame the game

There is an article in last Sunday New Paper that headlines Parents, don’t blame the game – try playing it instead. This is about the influence of online games on youths today and the recent suicide pact by a group of youth. There are countless reports of people getting hooked to online games, becoming reclusive and does nothing else but playing the games. People can get hooked on this, affecting not only their faculties but their lives.
Playing online games as a recreation is harmless yet stimulating and enjoyable at times. I believe most of us play online or video games at one time or another. I do play online bridge at Yahoo Games from time to time although sometime it can be frustrating rather than stimulating.
Hard-cores do not go for parlour games like bridge, chess or even pinball. They now go for Massively Multi-player Online Role Playing Games.
Now back to the New Paper article. The author suggests that parent instead of discouraging children from such games should get involved and to point lessons in life to the children in these games. To quote the author:
“Best case scenario is that you’ll bond as a family as you go questing together. The worst case scenario? Your interest in the game will make it so uncool that your child will quit if for good. Problem solved”
I totally disagree with such logic. In role playing it is the other role played character you are going against, not whoever is playing it. I say the worst case scenario will be you and your children form a suicide pact.