New toys bring new safety measures
Filed under: customers, cyber safety, lifestyle, trends
Santa brought a Nintendo Wii* for the crew for Christmas and with some help from my 11 year old we were able to set it up in 10 minutes tops. I learnt a couple of very valuable lessons shortly there after:
- One - I am not as young or as fit as I used to be, and shoulders should be stretched and warmed up before picking up a Wii remote when looking to impersonate Boris Becker.
- Two - when selecting an appropriate television to connect the console to ensure there is adequate room to swing the hand remote or alternatively move the Christmas tree.
You have probably pictured what happened by now. I narrowly avoided dislocating my shoulder as I backhanded the Christmas tree, lights and all along the couch and into the TV set for a winner! I was then ordered to sit down and give someone else a turn.
I took the time to read the instructions and learnt how to connect the Wii console to the internet which reminded me of an item in the newspaper recently. Neil Gaughan, Australian Federal Police high-tech crime operations national manager provided advice to users of gaming consoles that have the capability to connect online. This advice helps ensure these gamers are aware of some of the risks that may exist if the product is not used appropriately.
I have done some online research and found four handy hints to ensure users can get plenty of fun from these great technologies and also limit risks of bad experiences. These include:
- Keep your private information private – do not give out personal details online
- Don’t ignore new technologies – kids and teens will use them, if not at home then at their friends’ houses, so reinforce positive behaviour and values in the online world just as you do the ‘real’ world
- Let your children know they can talk to you about what they are doing online without worrying that you will over-react and get rid of the game console
- Keep online friendships online – never let your children go to meetings without parental supervision
If you can think of any other tips let me know. Remember cyber-safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Relevant link: Think you know
*Trade mark of Nintendo Co. Ltd
I have a couple of friends purchase some large perspex to put in front of those expensive screens. they lesson the wallet impact when playing WII
Funny, I did the same thing with my Wii,. Instead of hitting the christmas lights , I managed a cracking backhand that connected with a Christmas star and a couple of other tree decorations. It took some cleaning up
Which reminds me… I have to fix the light fitting I bent going for that backhand volley last night…
Yes i know of a TCW executive that snuck in to play the wii at midnight that they had bought for their boys and let go of the controller smash into the brand new larger than life plasma tv – oh dear
Make sure your kids get plenty of time away from the Wii and/or computer. Like playing outside in the sun and fresh air. Addiction to online games has become a source of major concern for some of us.
The day after Santa brought us a Wii, my 11 year old son put a controller into our 42″ plasma while trying to perfect his curve on Wii bowling….
Don’t play the Wii standing up with kids whose arm swing is around waist level – I think I would have preferred to have wrecked the xmas tree!
don’t forget to put the wii strap correctly on the wrist
i’ve read lots (and lots) of wii controller crashing expensive tv incidents.
and use rechargable batteries for the motes, make things cheaper =)
wii does supply wrist straps to help avoid these mishaps… making sure everyone in the house (including the adults who “won’t let the remote go”) is wearing them does help. This won’t help much when swinging the tennis racket etc but will help lessen the impact when the remote is let go of.
using the wrist strap is a good idea that I learnt the hard way. A hole in the wall that I now have to fix playing yet again tennis. Also the lolly jar took a beating going for a massive forehand. still the best fun in ages I have had with the kids
To learn few secret tricks that will help you beat the ankle biters, you might want to Google “wii cheats” or visit a site like http://www.wii-cheats.com/
Warming up the muscles and joints before playing is a very good idea. wii shoulders and elbows are becoming more common than “texter’s thumb”. (been there…)
It sounds like you all have got carried away in the heat of competition – I’m glad to hear I’m not alone in trying to retain the family trophy!
Thanks for the advice around protecting the telly, Christmas tree and other lounge room furniture. I have already made some changes and the kids have not been allowed to take the Wii with them on holidays.
bring back totem tennis!