Choosing Age-Appropriate Video Games for your Child

According to some polls, upwards of 40 percent of Americans purchase video games to give as gifts during the Christmas holiday season. Clearly, these items are hot commodities.

But not all video games are appropriate for children, which is why a rating system, similar to movie and television program ratings, is utilized by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). This system lets parents know which games contain adult content and which games are appropriate for little ones.

Today's video games are more advanced than ever. The graphics are mind blowing and the characters are lifelike. Games take players from the baseball diamond to a World War II battlefield to outer space. They also take players into dark alleys and high-speed chases. Some games are overly violent. Others are overly sexual. In short, it's more important than ever for parents to monitor their kids' games for adult content, especially when you take into consideration that, unlike in previous decades, today's video games are widely played by adults as well as children.

The ESBR, which applies and enforces these ratings, is a starting point. Its rating system is comprised of six rating symbols:

EC - Early Childhood
E - Everyone
E10+ - Everyone 10 and older
T - Teen
M - Mature
AO - Adults Only

The rating system is pretty self-explanatory and should be used as a guideline when making a purchase for your child. Of course, children mature at their own pace. What is appropriate for one 11-year-old may not be
appropriate for another. For that reason, it's a good idea to preview the game yourself whenever possible. Many gaming stores and even some department stores make it possible to preview various games prior to purchasing. If that isn't an option, utilize a secondary and often-helpful resource: the expertise of store staff.

Often, those who work in stores that sell video games acquire their jobs because they have a passion for gaming themselves. There's a good chance they've played the game firsthand and are familiar with its content. Naturally, you run the risk that their values differ from yours. So, instead of asking, "Is this game appropriate for an eight-year-old?", it may be better to ask specific questions. "Does this game contain any obscene language, violence or sexually explicit graphics?" is one obvious question that comes to mind.

It's important to know that the games do not necessarily receive their ratings based solely upon the game play. For example, many games utilize popular music by well known bands. Sometimes a game receives a Teen or Mature rating based upon the lyrics of a song as opposed to the actual graphics or thematic design.

Also, keep in mind that while video games provide plenty of entertainment, they may or may not also provide your children with educational opportunities. Some games help teach a foreign language or aid the development of problem-solving skills, while others provide nothing but entertainment. As a parent, it's up to you to determine which types of games you want your children to have access to.

Video games are a very popular choice for holiday gift giving. But how do you choose an appropriate game for your child's age without being an expert yourself? Learn how the rating systems work and what other ways you can wisely choose games to purchase for your child.

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