Fun and games aren’t the only things going on here. They can be a social event, whether in a physical space or virtually. They can be a way for families to get together. The film they’re a constantly evolving art form. Moreover, research has shown that many games can be used in the classroom as learning tools, such as probability theory, economics, strategic thinking, and negotiation.
Playing together as a family is a great way to bring people closer together. Playing video games with your children is a great way for parents to learn about and observe their children’s interests and growth in gaming. A shared interest enhances conversations with family and friends.
Ratings can be very helpful. Keep an eye out for the ESRB’s videogame ratings at ESRB.org, which include both the age rating (like “E,” “T,” or “M”) as well as content descriptors (like “Suggestive Themes,” “Language,” or “Violence”). Remember that not all children can play video games that are rated for their age group. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to determining a child’s age.
Get a sneak peek at the upcoming game. ESRB’s Parent’s Guide to Videogames and Common Sense Media’s game reviews can help you determine if a game is appropriate for your child, even if you have already checked the game’s rating.
Adjust the security parameters. Families should go over the safety settings on all their handhelds and gaming consoles together. Pre-approving friend requests to play online, controlling the kinds of games that can be played, disabling Internet access, and limiting the amount of time a child can play are all examples of parental control options available on gaming devices.
Trash talk is a fact of life. Some of it may be ugly or abusive, but it’s not necessarily all bad. Like on the football field, there is trash talk in games and virtual worlds. In almost every game, you can communicate with other players online via text chat, voice, or Webcam video. Parents, keep an eye on your children’s videogame play but don’t be afraid of “aggressive” and “colorful” language. Your child should know how to respond if they are being harassed online. Players often have the option to report or block harassers.
A well-balanced diet is beneficial. Excessive gaming is not a good thing, and parents can set time limits on how long their children can play on certain gaming devices that are password-protected. Technology controls can be extremely beneficial for parenting gamers and other children who spend time online. However, incorporating gaming into the values you teach and model and maintaining open lines of communication are just as, if not more, effective strategies.
Don’t injure your body, please! Be aware of the effects gaming has on players – from sleep patterns to repetitive stress injuries to the risk of harming other people or their furniture with those fast-moving controllers in gamers’ hands. Be aware of the effects of gaming on players. Make sure you get enough sleep, eat, and rest (but don’t overdo it)!
More than just games are played on consoles. It is possible to use some videogame consoles to watch DVDs, stream video content, surf the Internet, and communicate. Become familiar with the capabilities of your gaming devices and the parental controls that come pre-installed. You should follow all of your family’s online-safety rules if you’re playing games online.