Buy Appropriate Video Games
There is no doubt about it. Some video games contain violent content. Many people, in fact, have decried the increasing violence portrayed in video games made for children. They argue that children will act out the visions they see in video games and become increasingly hostile in their everyday lives. While that may occur, violence in general is not necessarily dangerous for children. For years now, children have been exposed to violence through books like the original Grimm's fairy tales and play like cops and robbers or cowboys and Indians. Violence, unfortunately, is a part of life, and many researchers have argued that some level of fantasy violence can actually help children cope with the violence they see in the real world.
Whatever view you take, it is important that you know your child and how they will react to the nature of the content of a particular game in order to select the most appropriate video games for them. Some children do have a difficult time separating reality and fantasy and will be prone to act out the violent images they see in video games. If your child fits into this category, it is important that you be aware of the content of the video games you buy. Fortunately, the government has developed a ratings system to help parents make more informed choices when buying video games for their children.
Each year, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) assigns video games for platforms like Playstation and Xbox as well as home computers a rating. Ranging from "EC" for early childhood to "AO" for adults only, ESRB ratings provide parents with some idea as to the nature of a game's content.
Games rated for early childhood are suitable for children three years and older, games rated "T" are suitable for those 13 years or older, and games rated "M" are suitable for those 17 years and older. Games rated "T" may have violence, minimal blood and infrequent use of profanity, while games rated "M" for mature may contain intense violence, sexual content and blood and gore.
The ESRB is responsible for assigning over 1,000 of these ratings every year. According to the organization, parents agree with their ratings 83% of the time. By observing the ESRB ratings, you can ensure that your child receives the messages that you want them to.
Of course, the best way to make certain that the video games you buy your child are appropriate is to play the games with them. That way, you can see for yourself how your child interacts with the game and answer any questions that might come up. In all likelihood, your child will play video games at other friends' homes, so it is important to engage them in some discussion of the content of any of the video games that they play.
Whatever the nature of their content, many children love video games and crave the opportunity to play them. They often don't care about the violence in video games. As a parent, you do and it is important that you know the content of any games you plan to purchase as well as how your child will react with them before giving them to your child.
There is no doubt about it. Some video games contain violent content. Many people, in fact, have decried the increasing violence portrayed in video games made for children. They argue that children will act out the visions they see in video games and become increasingly hostile in their everyday lives. While that may occur, violence in general is not necessarily dangerous for children. For years now, children have been exposed to violence through books like the original Grimm's fairy tales and play like cops and robbers or cowboys and Indians. Violence, unfortunately, is a part of life, and many researchers have argued that some level of fantasy violence can actually help children cope with the violence they see in the real world.
Whatever view you take, it is important that you know your child and how they will react to the nature of the content of a particular game in order to select the most appropriate video games for them. Some children do have a difficult time separating reality and fantasy and will be prone to act out the violent images they see in video games. If your child fits into this category, it is important that you be aware of the content of the video games you buy. Fortunately, the government has developed a ratings system to help parents make more informed choices when buying video games for their children.
Each year, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) assigns video games for platforms like Playstation and Xbox as well as home computers a rating. Ranging from "EC" for early childhood to "AO" for adults only, ESRB ratings provide parents with some idea as to the nature of a game's content.
Games rated for early childhood are suitable for children three years and older, games rated "T" are suitable for those 13 years or older, and games rated "M" are suitable for those 17 years and older. Games rated "T" may have violence, minimal blood and infrequent use of profanity, while games rated "M" for mature may contain intense violence, sexual content and blood and gore.
The ESRB is responsible for assigning over 1,000 of these ratings every year. According to the organization, parents agree with their ratings 83% of the time. By observing the ESRB ratings, you can ensure that your child receives the messages that you want them to.
Of course, the best way to make certain that the video games you buy your child are appropriate is to play the games with them. That way, you can see for yourself how your child interacts with the game and answer any questions that might come up. In all likelihood, your child will play video games at other friends' homes, so it is important to engage them in some discussion of the content of any of the video games that they play.
Whatever the nature of their content, many children love video games and crave the opportunity to play them. They often don't care about the violence in video games. As a parent, you do and it is important that you know the content of any games you plan to purchase as well as how your child will react with them before giving them to your child.
