Introduction
I started gaming when I was in third grade. My parents let me “save” up and get a PS2 so I could play the same Spiderman game my cousin had on his XBox. To say the least, I was not disappointed at all, and after they said yes to the idea I was overjoyed. Just like when my family got a dog, there are responsibilities my parents expected me to uphold when I got my first gaming console. I could only play for certain times and not all games were deemed appropriate until I got older. They laid some really good foundations when it came to online games such as Pirates of the Caribbean Online and Wizard 101. The ground rules they laid out for me and my brother proved to have a very healthy impact on our gaming experiences and I’ll note a lot of them in this article.
So should you get your kid a gaming PC? Getting your kid a gaming PC is a great option. Parental controls are more elaborate, more games exist for all ages, and they come with tons of other benefits which will be mentioned in this article.
The decision to get a gaming PC over the other common platforms is worth looking into! I’m guessing you’re reading this article either because you’ve used one in the past or your child has nudged you to look into it. Both are great reasons because there’s a lot of benefits to going this route over the other one and my goal is to help you decide by the end of this article. The best way to approach this article is to determine if the pros outweigh the cons.
If you’re curious about if gaming PCs are good for general use, including schoolwork, check out my article here.
Pros of Getting a Your Child a Gaming PC
It will pay for itself for many years.
PC’s will never be outdated and can stand the test of time while consoles rarely last more than 5 years. Individual parts can be swapped out if they start to fall behind (which usually takes well over a few years and is easy to replace). Games also come out on sale more often than on consoles and not every game is going to cost you $59.99.
You don’t have to pay for online multiplayer.
This right here will save you an easy $200 since Xbox live and PSN cost $50 a year since you have to pay for their online content. With a PC, the only thing you have to pay for is your internet. Going along with that, your child can also play internet-based games such as Cartoon Network Games, Wizard 101, and a bunch more that consoles don’t support.
It won’t get outdated.
Sony and Microsoft are already getting ready to phase out the PS4s and Xbox Ones with their newer models such as the PS5. That means that companies will quickly stop making games for PS4 and you’ll have to upgrade if you want the newest games. Don’t listen to Sony and Microsoft when they say they will continue to make PS4 games for current players. They said that about PS3s but you’ll eventually realize the inevitable upgrade you have to make if you want the newest games on console platforms.
Your gaming PC can function the same way as a console, but better.
You can hook up your PC to your TV the same way you would with an Xbox. Xbox 360 controllers, headsets, and everything else can be rigged up. Just because it’s a computer doesn’t mean you have to game with a keyboard and mouse. You can even set it up wirelessly somewhere other than the living room but still use it as if it was sitting right next to you!
You choose your price.
PCs can fit the budget of anyone, no matter how cheap or expensive you want it to get. I recommend figuring out what games your kid would enjoy the most and determine what kind of PC he/she would need for that demand. You could easily build a PC of better quality than a console for the same price but if your kid is more interested in games like Minecraft and internet-based games, then your price point could easily be under $200.
I linked below to my gaming PC which is more for modern and upcoming games. If you’re looking to run games like the new Battlefront, Destiny, COD, and related games, expect to build a $500+ PC.
You can always upgrade your parts in the future if you want to run more demanding games.
Cons of Getting Your Child a Gaming PC
Graphics are way more realistic for modern games.
That can also be a pro, but extra details on a soldier’s face, graphic blood splatter effects, and explosions will look way more realistic on a PC because they’re more powerful. Console’s leave small details out or make blood splatters less detailed because it’s not as important to gameplay. You can turn these settings off, but just keep this small detail in the back of your mind as you consider options.
Online interaction takes place way more than on a console.
This can be a con if you don’t like your kid interacting with other, random gamers. It’s easier for interactions to take place since most computers can come with a built-in mic and communicating via keyboard text is something anyone can do.
You only have the option to either ban online content or give them full access to online features by letting them play. I haven’t found a lot on being able to restrict in-game communication unless you mute the headset mic. Adult cames like Call of Duty won’t have flexible parental controls. It might be worth talking to your child about that and what you expect from them.
Not all new games release to PC until a year after, and sometimes not at all.
Red Dead Redemption is a good example. It released for the PS4 and Xbox One but won’t come out on PC for a while. Some games are so exclusive like Days Gone or Anthem (a game similar to Halo) that they won’t even release on the PC at all. This can be a little disappointing if your kid wants to play these with his friends, but also remember PCs have tons and tons of unique games you would never be able to play on a PC.
PCs are hard to transport, and it’s not something your child can take to their friend’s house.
Playing videogames with friends was one of the most fun things you could do on a lazy Friday night after school. Often times my friends would bring over different consoles and we would play on a variety of platforms. It was also nice to be able to take my PS2 to my aunt’s house during school breaks. I’ve had my PC for a couple months and I can honestly say it’s not feasible to transport it whenever you feel like. It’s fragile, quite heavy, and the only way to transport it is in the original box it came with. This also brings me to my next point…
Your PC will be stationary and need to be placed where it can’t get bumped around.
Be mindful of where you decide to place your computer in your house. Also be sure to put it in a place where it won’t overheat and has space to breathe, especially on hot days. Your computer won’t naturally fry itself if you fail to do so, but you’re helping your power supply’s longevity by considering this factor.
You can’t return games or sell them back to Gamestop once you’re done playing.
This also goes along with not being able to rent them from Gamefly. Almost all the games you buy will have to be purchased through your online Steam account. One thing I miss about console gaming is how I was able to buy a new game, play it, and sell it once I beat it a month later, essentially saving $30 in the process. You can’t do that in any way with Steam and buying games online, unfortunately. However, popular games go on insanely good sales on Steam all the time.
If you’ve decided not to, then check out my 5 minute article on The Best Game Console For Kids. Its in-depth and will answer every questions you have.
Should I get a gaming PC if I don’t Game?
I wrote a great article on how gaming PCs are good for general use. Check it out to see if this is right for you!
Other Benefits of Having a Gaming PC
They have more functions than a console would
Don’t forget you’re also buying yourself a computer which you can be used for a ton of other functions. Your child could use it for his/her homework or use it if they’re interested in computer programming, game design, and other digital arts.
You can teach your kid responsibility on the Internet and with other gamers
It takes a lot of trust to let your kids play online games and surf the web, sometimes when you’re not always there. Establishing a healthy understanding of your rules and expectations can be easily implemented into gaming PC usage.
PCs can always be upgraded or repaired
As your child grows older, he/she will likely move on to more complex and demanding games. With that usually comes an increase in gaming graphics, and more tasks the computer has to work with. Every part of your build can be swapped out for something better if you deem it necessary. Broken parts are way easier to fix and often times can be solved just by ordering a new part. Broken consoles and the Red Ring of Death (Xbox specific) can rarely be fixed by specialists.
You can play internet-based games
There’s definitely a larger variety of games a computer can play. As mentioned before, Wizard 101, Cartoon Network Games Online, and a lot of other learning games exist for younger ages. You won’t find these kinds of games on a console. Most of these ones are free and can be played on any browser.
Windows 10 has more parental settings than a console
Check out this Youtube link to a really helpful video I found on how to maximize parental controls on Windows 10. It goes through the most helpful settings and explains everything you need to know about it.
*Steam also has parental controls that prohibit the child from playing or downloading violent games even when they’re not using the internet.*
Final Tips for Parents
- Don’t allow them to use voice chat in online games until you feel they are responsible enough.
- It ultimately comes down to trusting your kid to not use foul language or engage with toxic players.
- Don’t autosave payment info. Have your child ask permission to buy games and take a look at them before you say yes.
- Know which build is best for you.
Conclusion
Getting your kid a gaming PC is a great option and for many, I see it as a better investment than a console. There are a couple of extra steps along the way to create the ideal PC set up but it is well worth it. The best way to integrate your child into the world of PC gaming is to start them out with single player games or playing with only people they know. If implement these tips in a healthy manner when you get your kid a gaming PC, it can be extremely fulfilling and more worthwhile than a console.
If you’re stumbling across then welcome! I did some research and noticed that there wasn’t a lot of insight into the topic I’m writing about today. But at the same time, there’s also some noteworthy information worth researching before making the decision or not to buy your kid a gaming PC. This article is best for parents with kids aging up to 15 years old and my aim is to provide all the relevant information!
If you’re curious as to what a modern gaming PC set up should look like, I wrote an article on My First Gaming PC Setup. In it, I talk about everything I learned during the process, do some myth-busting, and different price points you can expect to get a good setup. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or reach out at entertainmentden.ns@gmail.com and I’ll do my best to respond. Thank for reading!