Vista - Parental help on World of Warcraft...

My 14 yr old son is wanting me to allow him play this game, there is a Free 15 day trial (as he put it). My concern is not that much on the Sex or Gore fact but I do have my hesitations about him being totally consume by it since two years ago he had that problem with RuneScape or something like that.

I guess what I would like to know is just how adult is this game? Are there predators like in the chat rooms and what have you? or is this just a clean open world fun game.

Sorry if I seem like an idiotic parent, my kids pretty much run their computer unatended but I can't help to feel worry on the "Getting Consumed" part of it.

If someone here is playing it, can you give me the crash course on it?

simply put, its just a game, i cant give you any tips on how to control the usage, apart from disconnecting the internet when he is told to get off, because its an online only game, but he will kick up a fuss, theres virtually no sex involved, unless you get random people talking about it. its a good way to socialise but if you take that away then the consequences will be brought back to you.
heres a video, its mainly audio but heres what can happen when you take WOW away from your child. decide for yourself
YouTube - Mom tells kid no more World of Warcraft

I just reicently quit the game after three years -- So I have a pretty good idea of what you're asking.
The game itself is addictive as smoking, if you let it get that far. Once you reach the max level the game becomes more of a chore than a game, which is why I ultimately quit.. but for a really long time I really enjoyed 'having' to log on every day to raid to play the game.
Just playing the game ( leveling 1-80 ) isn't addictive or anything to be worried about -- but once you get 80 it's almost as if the game really begins and the time-sink kicks in. If you use the Parental Controls feature in the Account Management section of Worldofwarcraft.com than you can automaticly shut off access to the game whenever YOU choose, rather than the child playing. Of course, a firm hand in moderating works too.

I personally wouldn't reccommend paying for this drug, ut if your child wants to, and you don't mind paying / can control playtime, there's really no problem with it.

Not everyone that plays get addiceted, but in MOST people it becomes a habbit. Most of my friends play every day for 4 hours+, and some play 10 hours +, again, it can be good in moderation, but most things in the game take time. Most in-game chanelges take anywhere from an hour to 6, sometimes longer.

I hope this doesn't come off as a disgruntled ex-WoW player, and it actually makes sense rather than me repeating myself. I just wanted to get all that out of me when I saw the thread.
Sorry for the spelling

edit -- and to respond to another point: the game is generally safe from freaks and predators. Generally.. Occasionally there will be someone to watch out for -- but that's not really a problem for guys, it's the girls that get harassed.
Most people that play the game are 17+, and any people younger get harassed on occasion for being inmature. The online community is rutheless to younger players and I wouldn't reccomend using the WoW forums.
I strongly would let your child use a mic to talk to the other players, unless he has a really mature voice. I know many people who would boot anyone sounding under the age of 17 out of a group or raid right away.

Ehh. Looking back on this it doesn't sound like a nice game at all -- and it can be.. It just depends on the kid, I guess.
I hope this helps.

My problem is not because he will pitch a fit, I know I have that covered but, as much on top of your kids you want to be, there is a little slack you have to cut them.

I know some of his buds play the game as well, hence, why he wants to play it. I imagine he'll play with them.

He'll pay for it if he wants to play and they go to bed at 9:00 PM so that's that.

Thanks for the heads up guys... much appreciated

Of course. I hope I didn't come off as too hateful on the game, it can be a lot of fun.

I hope he enjoys it =]

No, not at all, I was actually looking for the truth... thanks again