This blog addresses the frequent concerns that parents bring up pertaining to the content of the video games their children are playing. As mentioned in a previous blog (Posted November 2010) written by Dr. Kathleen McElhaney, parenting in the digital age is challenging. While controversial, several studies have linked exposure to violence in TV shows and video games to elevated aggressive and non-controlled behavior, especially in children. Parental involvement and media education can help reduce the negative effects that video games with sophisticated content have on our children. Below is a list of things that parents are highly encouraged to do to reduce this risk.
• Check packaging for the content rating of the video game before your child plays. The content rating is set by The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). These ratings are based on a number of factors including level of violence, sexual themes, and controversial/stronger language found in a game. Ratings range from EC (Early childhood), which indicates content suitable for children as young as three years of age to ratings of AO (Adults only), which contains content suitable for those individuals ages 18 and up. Parents need to take these ratings seriously and avoid assuming that a younger child can “handle” what will be displayed on the screen. For detailed content rating descriptions visit www.esrb.org
• Set limits on how often and how long your child is allowed to play video games
• To ensure adequate monitoring of what your child is playing, do not install game equipment in child’s bedroom
• Supervise your child’s internet use as there are some video games available for playing on-line
• Monitor all media exposure including video games, television shows, movies, and Internet
• Be open with your child as to the rating of a video game he/she is interested in and use it as an opportunity to share your thoughts, feelings, and concerns about what he/she will observe if exposed to a particular game.
• You may not be able to control what kinds of video games your child is exposed to when he/she is at a friend’s house, but you can ask them about what they played and observed during a particular video game. This way, you can discuss how they feel and/or interpret what they saw.
• Good parenting entails sharing information you learn with other parents so that they too stay informed on the pros and cons of certain video games.
I encourage parents to look more closely at the types of games their children are playing and set appropriate limitations and restrictions for accessing particular games. Despite the growing technology in today’s world, our duty as good parents is to stay in control of and monitor our children’s exposure to what they see on the screens!
Maria Kanakos, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Posted 4-19-11