Being a gamer isn't always easy. For starters there's the general stigma about gamers that the public has, about us being nerdy, antisocial shut-ins, which is thankfully disappearing  as time goes by. Then there's the ever rising price of games and consoles. Sure they're justified (Usually.) with the budgets that are required to make them, but just tell that to my wallet. But the problem I want to talk about is my least favourite thing about being a gamer... Being young. 

Now, having been around gaming communities on the net for awhile now, a lot of people constantly complain about kids. They're annoying to talk to, they aren't any good at games, they're to stupid to have any real conversations with. These are things that are always being thrown around whenever I see children being discussed on forums or in online matches. The problem with that is the same as with any stereotype, most of the time, it's not true.  

For every loud, offensive 10-year-old that's on Xbox Live, there are just as many kids the same age who want them to shut up. For every child that fails to understand the goals of the game, there are just as many who feel embarrassed by them. And I guarantee you that there are more children who know more about current affairs and other tings going on in the world then I do.  So why is it that that kids are looked upon so poorly in the gaming community? Once again, it's the same as with any stereotype, the loudest group get more attention. It's why ignorant people think about "Gangstaz" when they think of black people or aggressive extremists when they thing of religion people. No one cares about the well behaved kid who topped the leader boards, they're too busy watching some 8-year-old freak out over MW2 on YouTube. The angry, racist, sexist, immature children might not even outnumber the polite ones, but they're louder and more memorable. 

Now that's where people get their ideas about kids from, but why do they always get brought up? Why are people on the internet so quick to talk trash about children? Well the kids themselves are partially to blame, sometimes even the nice ones. They reach a certain age at which they believe they have matured mentally so much, that they can do no wrong. They think they have outgrown their childish behavior and think they must seperate themselves as far away as possible from "those dumb kids". Of course, they wouldn't  have to do this if they weren't pressured by people constantly reminding them how much they suck on Xbox Live, or by having their opinions invalidated on forums because of their age.  

This is were the awful cycle begins anew. 
 
The old punching bag becomes the new bully and before you know it, you have a whole new generation of kids who can't wait to be older so they won't be mocked by people they've never meet for things they've never done.  I'd like to believe that if you're reading this you don't kids with the disdain most other groups on the internet do, I'd like to believe that Giant Bomb is free from such arrogant beliefs. But if you are reading this and thinking about all the times you've been angry at children for the things they do, the things that even adults still do... What the hell is wrong with you? They're kids for gods sake!