Virtual families

With so many gamers young and old online, I decided to check it out for myself, to see the impact it is having on children.

The first was 'Virtual families'. This is a simple game where you, as the player, can 'pick up' your little people and 'make them do things'; work at the garden, clean up the house, cook, put away groceries. You can even 'encourage' them with a little pat on the back, these little praises will then 'train' your little people to repeat the work that you want them to do. Sometimes, they simply get distracted and want to do something else, sometimes they get sick and need medication.

What I find most interesting is that:
- This gives a false sense of control. "I can make anyone do anything I want them to do"
- Encouragement can become a 'nag' if it is simply praise to make the fellow do stuff.
- In the game, the more money one has the better, more rare collectables, more money etc.
- In reality, God does not 'make us' do stuff, He gives us choices and corrects us with love, He is also the Ultimate Encourager!