How can I convince my parents that playing online is ok?

[Zoomii]

So, I'm 17, just to start out. Ever since I was a little kid, around 9 or 10, my parents have tried to burn into my mind that talking to people online that I don't know in real life is bad. They think that if I do something as simple as enter into a voice chat on a game and say "Hi" that I'll be kidnapped or something. Like I said, I'm 17 and I'm not really worried about that because I know that isn't really the case. I know there is nothing wrong with talking to people and having online friends, but my parents think EVERYONE online is a murderer or predator. It's also funny because if I'm playing with someone I don't know but they're a friend of a real life friend, they think it's ok because my friend knows them, even though there's nothing stopping THEM from being a murderer or something. They kind of contradict themselves as to who I can and can't talk to online. Anyway, what can I do to convince them that playing games with others is ok?

Edit: I have talked to people online when playing games. I typically just act like I'm ONLY playing with my real life friend, who is usually there, but they are always like "Who are you playing with?" If I get a text they are like "Who was that?" It's like they always have to be in my business about anything regarding computer communication. Maybe it's because they are a bit older than most parents of teens my age. My parents were born in the 60's and constantly tell me about how life was before computers existed. Maybe they worry because they aren't tech savvy?

Edit 2: Yes, I realize bad stuff happens through the Internet. But I'm also 17 and have enough common sense not to give out all of my personal information to someone.

[crgzero]

I'd like to say let them sit in on a game session so they can hear voice chat and get an idea of what it's about.

Unfortunately, that's likely to get you grounded for life.

Get them into gaming would be the best route IMHO. That way when they get into voice with some ass hats they'll be so focussed on winning they won't care what people are saying.

Try an MMO like WoW where you can more or less steer them into a guild/clan/alliance that's not full of ass hats and will likely be sugar coated so they think all gaming is like that. At least until they get into a raid.

[AdahnGorion]

Nobody on a game forum can help you with this. This is your battle and it is something that should be resolved in your family. Personally teens at your age in my region, don't get pushed around, they are old enough to make decision themselves (I did not live at home, when I was your age ie)

Take responsibility for your choices and actions. Be sure to put up valid arguments about your point of views. If you can't do this and want to live at home, I reckon you have to abide the rules presented to you.

[GetToTheTop]

Tell them you're more likely to run into untrustworthy people by going for a bloody walk.

[crgzero]

Originally posted by Todd Howard:

Tell them you're more likely to run into untrustworthy people by going for a bloody walk.

This is actually true to a certain extent.

Someone you meet IRL can actually kidnap you, someone you meet online can't reach through the screen and kidnap you.

[Azza ☠]

Ever heard the saying don't talk with strangers?

Try it's paranoid logic out. Don't go to school, stranger danger! Don't go to events, stranger danger! Avoid everyone!

Oh wait, we have lock down and isolation at the moment. Well that was a fail. However, you get the point? Avoiding dangers is stupid and illogical. Sure there's the idea of avoiding picking up a gun and playing with it, but that's just because the gun has only one design to kill. You don't go avoiding a car or other things, because of some danger, etc. Rather you inform yourself of those dangers and minimise the risks involved.

Perhaps you need some security software, such as Kaspersky Internet Security. That's more than just an anti-virus, it's a firewall, anti-phishing, safe-banking, application control, etc.

Inform yourself of online safety. Mention that to your parents and compromise a more logical solution. They will then consider it more safe online and you get more freedom online.

Just like if you where learning to drive a car, there's seat belts and airbags, etc. It's not as scary once everyone knows the safety aspect of the dangers involved.

One other thing parents love is suggesting a balance. Do a sports or hobby, learn an instrument, etc. Then suggest if you can game for a bit, but don't consume all your time into just gaming. It might not be the safety aspect they are actually worried about, but rather the addiction towards nothing else but gaming taking up your life.

[agu]

Befriend a real life murderer a show them they're not THAT bad

[moon]

17 & your parents are like this o0

[Blargo]

Originally posted by crgzero:

Originally posted by Todd Howard:

Tell them you're more likely to run into untrustworthy people by going for a bloody walk.

This is actually true to a certain extent.

Someone you meet IRL can actually kidnap you, someone you meet online can't reach through the screen and kidnap you.

^This.
I've never understood the whole mindset some parents have where everyone on the internet is a child molester or something.

The people on the internet are the same people in real life, so if it's not safe to meet people online, why would it be any safer to meet them in person where they could actually physically harm you?
Not that most people would, because most people aren't child predators.

[AdahnGorion]

Originally posted by Dxpress:

Originally posted by crgzero:

This is actually true to a certain extent.

Someone you meet IRL can actually kidnap you, someone you meet online can't reach through the screen and kidnap you.

^This.
I've never understood the whole mindset some parents have where everyone on the internet is a child molester or something.

The people on the internet are the same people in real life, so if it's not safe to meet people online, why would it be any safer to meet them in person where they could actually physically harm you?
Not that most people would, because most people aren't child predators.

Kidnapping? a 17 year old?... hmm. Are you suggest the OP is a child?

[Cyrix]

I've said time and time again that online friends have felt more like family to me, and have helped me through the roughest times in my life.

If it wasn't for some of my friends, I'd be dead, 100%.

[Doctor Go-Go]

Abduction? I could agree about the voice thing, I don't like giving people online my real voice, would be too easy for them to exploit or do something malicious with it. A degree an anonymity is wise overall.

It's a different world today, we took care of what we said and did. Young and naive people fall into traps of giving information they shouldn't because they believe a person is their friend simply because the person is nice, charming and has a friendly voice. The naive never consider the other person is conning them out of personal info. They look for soft easy targets, gullible.

Plus all of that ♥♥♥♥ is monitored and recorded. That's what they worry about.

Now you have at least 5 devices within your proximity that have global positioning with a camera and microphone. Multiply that by the amount of people in this world.. The ♥♥♥♥ is everyone, it's in your TV now. There is NO privacy. People took the bait and invited this into their lives, became dependent upon it so now they're worried.

It's easy to be setup to look like you did something you didn't do when it's taken out of context.

For security sake the best thing to do would be to make unlawful access to devices or malicious or unwarranted hacking punishable by death, no exceptions. Just consider it espionage and threat to international security and execute them.

Given the confines and protocol of covert and special operations, classified operations I wouldn't be surprised if they do kill these people once they trace em down and identify who they are for sure via covert monitoring and observation.

[Zoomii]

If I'm being honest, I don't know how my parents would react to me playing online. They have a lot of trust in me and they know I'm not dumb. A few months ago I was playing with an real life friend and my Dad freaked out because he didn't know who I was talking to. I told my parents that I was 16 (at the time) and that I can play with who I want to. My mom, who I'd say is WAY to overprotective of me said that I was right.

[Blargo]

Originally posted by Darkie:

Originally posted by Dxpress:

^This.
I've never understood the whole mindset some parents have where everyone on the internet is a child molester or something.

The people on the internet are the same people in real life, so if it's not safe to meet people online, why would it be any safer to meet them in person where they could actually physically harm you?
Not that most people would, because most people aren't child predators.

Kidnapping? a 17 year old?... hmm. Are you suggest the OP is a child?

What? I'm going off of the kidnapping example the OP used.

[Zoomii]

Originally posted by Doctor Go-Go:

Abduction? I could agree about the voice thing, I don't like giving people online my real voice, would be too easy for them to exploit or do something malicious with it. A degree an anonymity is wise overall.

It's a different world today, we took care of what we said and did. Young and naive people fall into traps of giving information they shouldn't because they believe a person is their friend simply because the person is nice, charming and has a friendly voice. The naive never consider the other person is conning them out of personal info. They look for soft easy targets, gullible.

Plus all of that ♥♥♥♥ is monitored and recorded. That's what they worry about.

Now you have at least 5 devices within your proximity that have global positioning with a camera and microphone. Multiply that by the amount of people in this world.. The ♥♥♥♥ is everyone, it's in your TV now. There is NO privacy. People took the bait and invited this into their lives, became dependent upon it so now they're worried.

It's easy to be setup to look like you did something you didn't do when it's taken out of context.

For security sake the best thing to do would be to make unlawful access to devices or malicious or unwarranted hacking punishable by death, no exceptions. Just consider it espionage and threat to international security and execute them.

Given the confines and protocol of covert and special operations, classified operations I wouldn't be surprised if they do kill these people once they trace em down and identify who they are for sure via covert monitoring and observation.

Are you ok bro?

[RebelMouth]

Originally posted by Zoomii:

So, I'm 17, just to start out. Ever since I was a little kid, around 9 or 10, my parents have tried to burn into my mind that talking to people online that I don't know in real life is bad. They think that if I do something as simple as enter into a voice chat on a game and say "Hi" that I'll be kidnapped or something. Like I said, I'm 17 and I'm not really worried about that because I know that isn't really the case. I know there is nothing wrong with talking to people and having online friends, but my parents think EVERYONE online is a murderer or predator. It's also funny because if I'm playing with someone I don't know but they're a friend of a real life friend, they think it's ok because my friend knows them, even though there's nothing stopping THEM from being a murderer or something. They kind of contradict themselves as to who I can and can't talk to online. Anyway, what can I do to convince them that playing games with others is ok?

Have you ever considered they were right?

They don't contradict themselves either, your logic is flawed.