X Box Live

My son's bday is tomorrow. He will be 10. He is CRUSHED because I will not allow him to have XBox Live. I looked it up, checked it out and it seems like kids who have it spend inordinate amounts of time on it. Also .. there seems to be this probability that he'll get to hear people using some prime language. Don't get me wrong.. I have some choice words myself but some of the stuff his friends have come up with have made MY toes curl!

But now I'm kind of re-thinking my decision. He swears that most of his friends have it and it's not that bad and I'm being over-protective...

So.. does anyone have this for their kids or know anything about it? Is it appropriate for his age or are my instincts right about making him wait a few years?

Thanks for your input!

Re: X Box Live

Mu husband has it and NEVER uses it, and my son (7 years old) has used it a few times over the past 6 months. I don't know much about it, but he only uses it when I'm in the room so I know there has been no foul language flying past his delicate ears (LOL.) He has only played against people he knows so far. I think I might be more inclined to pull the plug if he was playing against strangers.

I know that probably wasn't very helpful. I wish I had more info.

Re: X Box Live

DH plays it and the language is HORRIBLE! I mean, he plays after 10pm and plays gruesome games, so I am not sure if that's the nature of the game. Is there a specific game he wants to play with friends?

Re: X Box Live

My DS has it, he is 14. I have allowed him to play online for the past two years. For the most part he plays with his friends only. BUT, I have heard some really bad language on there. Grown men cursing out kids…It gets crazy.

Re: X Box Live

my ds has it. he is 12. he has had it a while. He doesn't live on it. He still rather go out. I think when a new game comes out that is when he spends alot of time then it dies down.

Re: X Box Live

I opted not to get it for him this year. I just didn't feel like I knew enough about it, ya know? We wound up getting him a new mountain bike and he's IN LOVE with it. XBox live.. forgotten (for now)!