Video Game Safety Tips for Parents

Source: Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)

(35 ratings)

Video games used to be so simple, but nowadays there's so much more you have to know about - online video games, RPGs (role playing games), MMOGs (massively multiplayer online games), parental controls, mods, and all the new game consoles and handheld devices. Where to begin??!! With over a thousand new video game titles hitting stores shelves each year, it's not easy for a parent to figure out which video games are right for their kids. As with any decision a parent must make, information is key, and the following tips will help prepare you to make informed choices.

Check the Ratings.

The ESRB video game ratings and content descriptors can be found on virtually every computer and video game sold, and they provide useful and reliable information to help you make educated decisions about the games you choose for your children. Rating symbols on the front of the package suggest what age the game is best suited for, and content descriptors on the back provide additional detail about what's in the game.

Go beyond the ratings.

ESRB offers a supplementary source of information about game content called "rating summaries," which provide a brief, objective explanation of the context and relevant content that factored into a game's rating. Rating summaries are available when searching for games on the ESRB website, via the ESRB rating search widget, as well as right from the video game store by logging onto ESRB's mobile website at m.esrb.org. They're also available through the ESRB's free ParenTools newsletter, which provides subscribers with a bimonthly list of recently rated titles complete with rating summaries and customized to their selected preference of rating categories and game platforms.

Learn about and use parental controls.

All of the new video game consoles (Xbox 360, Wii, PLAYSTATION3) as well as many handheld devices like the PSP offer parents the ability to limit what type of content their children can access by activating built-in parental control features. By activating these controls you can ensure that your kids only play games that carry ratings you deem appropriate for them.

Monitor your child's video game play, and play with them.

Just as with TV, movies, and the Internet, it is always a good idea to be aware of and involved in your children's video games. Play games with your kids, and talk with them about the ones they like using this Family Discussion Guide. This is a good way to have fun together as well as get to know which games your child finds to be interesting and exciting, and why.

Exercise caution with online-enabled games.

Some games let users play with strangers over an Internet connection, and MMOGs (massively multiplayer online games) enable online gaming on a vast scale. It's important to realize that many of these games contain user-generated content that may not be part of the rating, such as character models ("skins"), settings ("maps"), live chat, customized weapons and more. If you are concerned about your child's exposure to user-generated content of this type, note that all online-enabled games carry a warning on the package next to the rating symbol that reads "Online Interactions Not Rated By The ESRB."

Be aware of mods.

Some games offer players the ability to modify content that may be inconsistent with the ESRB rating. Players can post their "mod" (short for modification) on the Internet making it available for other players to freely download, or players can access mods using a special cheat device (e.g., Gameshark, Action Replay Max). As with online-enabled games, player-created or modified content cannot be considered in ESRB ratings, so it's important for parents to be aware that some mods can alter a game in ways they deem inappropriate.

Consult reviews and experts.

Additional information about the games your kids want can be found on numerous websites and in game enthusiast magazines, many of which provide extensive reviews and details about game content. Some may even offer screenshots (pictures from the gameplay), interactive demos and trailers, all of which can give you a good sense of a game's content. The Parent Resources section of the ESRB website offers links to some of those websites including a few that recommend family-friendly and children's video games. Another good source of information can be employees at your local video game store. They are often gamers themselves, and are likely to be familiar with the games your child is pulling off the shelves, so don't be afraid to ask them for their recommendations or any other questions that you may have.

Look for retailers who support the ESRB ratings.

Many local and national video game retailers support the ESRB ratings through education programs and enforcing their voluntary store policy not to sell or rent M (Mature)-rated games to children under 17 without permission from their parent. You should feel free to check with you local retailers about their support of the ESRB ratings.

Check out these other video game related articles on tweenparent.com:

Video Game Ratings for Parents

The Irony of The Sims and My Tween

Does Your Tween Need Help Managing Screen Time?

With Proper Limits, Video Games Can Offer Benefits

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a non-profit, self-regulatory body established in 1994 by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). ESRB assigns computer and video game content ratings, enforces industry-adopted advertising guidelines and helps ensure responsible online privacy practices for the interactive entertainment software industry.