Elwenil, I can understand that concern. I don't know your kid, so I wouldn't be able to judge him, and I won't try. However, I feel that my time spent on the Internet, both in games and in forums, has really improved who I am as a person. Before we all jump to the 'internet isn't a substitute for real life' card, I know that online experiences aren't the real deal. There is no substitute for actual, face to face relationships. Period. However, where have you seen a place where 13-16 year olds can be respected as peers by 20-40 year old individuals. I have yet to encounter such a place.

Also, I live in a very sheltered community, uppermiddle class at the least, and I feel like were it not for the internet, I would end up like the rest of my classmates, who seem obvlious to the rest of the actual world and what goes on in it. Poverty is something they see on TV, the same for any crime more serious than petty theft. Essentially, we live in a bubble. Not only because of my time here (while it does carry some importance) I have experienced and learned about what the world outside my area is like. The internet opens you up to so many more perspectives than you can ordinarily reach as a 16 year old. Speaking with people across the country, in various walks of life, it can definately improve one's mindset.

On another note, the ability to lead others that are much older than you is an experience that cannot be replicated, for what I know, outside of videogames. From my experience, most adults find it degrading to take orders from someone who has less knowledge/experiences than themselves. Again, this is just from what I know of. When I picked up the Battlefield 2 Demo, I was 13. I was also incredibly bossy. I had no real sense of what an overly bossy individual comes across to their co-workers/friends like. I played the demo, formed a clan, and began recruiting. *Trying not to be vain, please don't take this as self praise* My talent as a SL attracted a decent sized number of teammates, and I felt like I was on top of the world. Then half of KTA broke off. Recruiting dropped. And the funny thing was, I couldn't figure out why. Then one of my old members told me, in fairly rude terms, that they were all sick of being ordered around by a bossy little prick. So I had to work on that. I still am. Not one to attribute all of my character development to games, yes maturity comes with age, and I would have most likely become less bossy through my regular experiences. But becuase I led my clan, I learned to be a better leader, not simply to keep my leadership supressed.

As a final note, it really does depend on the individual in question. My dad didn't bring me into gaming, I discovered it myself. I don't think my dad had a massive impact on the fact that I have become a gamer. I also was working on 3D modeling and animation at the time, and I took gaming fairly seriously. I cared about leading, so I made an effort to fix it. Some people may take only the negatives away from gaming. If your son takes up gaming, watch to make sure it isn't a negative experience. I am concious of the fact that I could have ended up a very different person were it not for my online experiences.

This is all coming from the view of a 16 year old, so take it as you will. Just my thoughts on the matter.