When I signed up my kids for Xbox LIVE last month, we selected "Family" as the Gamer Zone. Today I found out that the service matches trash-talking players from other zones, such as Underground, in online games. What's with that? If a Family Zone player can still be matched with abusive, profane players from the Underground Zone, what does it really mean to be in the Family Zone (or the Underground for that matter - I can't imagine they want to be player-matched with children)? I feel like Microsoft has pulled a fast one on parents, with the whole "zone" scam being used to convince them it's OK to get a 360 instead of a Wii.

Here's something else: I went into the 360 console's parental settings to put some tougher parameters on the console and on the LIVE accounts. Guess what? You can't parentally manage a LIVE account unless it is a "Child" account. But wait, there's more. There is no way to change an existing LIVE account over to a "Child" account. Not from the console, nor from the internet, nor directly on the phone with Microsoft. You have to go back and create a brand-new "Child" account. Which, by the way, requires TWO existing passport accounts. This is a software company, right? You'd think they'd have a clue how to let customers change services with the flick of a keyboard. Strike two for Bill & company when it comes to helping parents manage their kids' gaming.

Gamerzone is just like Reputation. It really means nothing.

There's a reason it says "Game Experience May Change During Online Play" right under, every single game rating. A tip though, don't let your kid play uno.

I too think the zones are ********. I recently experienced the same crap you did playing w/ my 6 yo.

A tip though, don't let your kid play uno.

Hi I'm Chris Hansen...so what brings you to Uno Tonight?????????

The zones are design to match you up with like minded people, but it all depends on the population. If you have a game that does not have a lot of people playing they will try to match you up with those that are available. Otherwise you may huge gaps in the wait time between people playing.

If you want to have Xbox live perform like a Wii only allow him/her to play with their friends.

If you are going to allow your children to play LIVE, at least take away the mic.
Or leave it on and watch your kids grow up too fast!

I set up my kids' LIVE accounts as "child" accounts so I could restrict their use of the microphone to "friends only." But check this out - they can't play any EA games online... EA doesn't allow anybody with a "under 13" account to play online multiplayer. I guess EA also doesn't want any more of my money...

And even though my older son will be turning 13 soon, there's apparently no way to change his account settings to "13 and over." I guess MS figures all children play video games with Peter Pan in Nevernever Land and don't ever age.

The EA approach is ludicrous. I'm sure there were lawyers involved in that brilliant decision. A better approach would be to make it default that way but allow parental override to cut the voice or only enable friends on the voice.

The LIVE service is fantastic for kids when they are matched with other kids their own age and demeanor. Too bad MS doesn't take parental control seriously enough to make it effective and workable so the kids can have fun safely.

If you are going to allow your children to play LIVE, at least take away the mic.
Or leave it on and watch your kids grow up too fast!
I agree 100%. Take the mic away and set the voice output to headset only. This way they get to play online without having to interact with people. If the OP thinks that there is any way to get kids to play on XBL without having swearing and trash talking, you are dead wrong. I don't care what type of game it is, there are bad people playing it, sorry......