What You Should Know to protect your children from video games?

Computer and video games are a favorite pastime among people of all ages, especially kids. But many of the video games of today are quite different from classics like "Pac-Man" and "Asteroid."

What You Should Know to protect your children from video games?

Computer and video games are a favorite pastime among people of all ages, especially kids. But many of the video games of today are quite different from classics like "Pac-Man" and "Asteroid." The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), which assigns computer game content ratings, offers the following tips for parents to help them choose the games they consider appropriate for his or her families, as well as to be prepared for the realities of playing games online.

  • Check the ESRB ratings for every game before purchase it for your child. The rating symbol on the front of the package indicates age appropriateness, and content descriptors on the rear provide additional information about game content which will be of interest or concern.

 

  • discuss with other parents and older children about their own experiences with video games.

  • Monitor your child's video game play, even as you'd with TV, movies and therefore the Internet.

  • Why not, let your children create their video game, and at the same time learn block programming or visual programming using the SCRATCH tool.

  • Exercise caution with online-enabled games. Some games let users play online with other players and may contain live chat features or other user-generated content that will not be reflected within the ESRB rating. Many of those games carry the warning: "Game Experience May Change During Online Play." Newer game consoles offer the possibility to disable the online game play feature as part of parental control settings.

  • remember that the majority PC games are often altered by downloading "mods" on the web, which are created by other players and may change or alter the content in a game which will be inconsistent with the rating assigned.

 

  • Learn about and use parental controls. Newer computer game console and handheld hardware devices let parents limit the content their children can access. By activating parental controls, you can make sure that your kids play only games that carry ratings you deem appropriate.

  • Think about developing your child's personality and abilities that need more care. Nobody understands a child better than his parents. Consider his character when choosing computer and video games.

  • Play computer and video games together with your children. This is not only an honest thanks to have a good time together, but also to get to understand which games your child finds interesting and exciting, and why.

  • Read more than the ratings. Game reviews, trailers and "demos" that allow you sample games are available online and in game enthusiast magazines and may provide additional detail about game content.

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