Ivor Callely - Working with you

Video games

Our children are usually the nearest and best technology experts we have around us. They can access the latest products and services using technology to hand. Most of the time such technology is educational, social or entertaining and is to be welcomed. But do we know what are children are watching (on television, internet or video games) or to whom are they communicating and what personal information they may share? Some of the material easily available to children isn’t suitable for their age, can be offensive and on occasion can even be dangerous. According to research the gaming industry’s focus has shifted from teenagers to adults, as an increasing number of adults have become online-gaming enthusiasts. The average age of a video gamer has jumped from 18 to 29 years. So not all video games are toys suitable for children.
However the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings are designed to provide information about video and computer game content, so you can make informed purchase decisions. ESRB ratings have two parts: rating symbols suggest the appropriate age for the game, and descriptions of content indicate elements in a game that may have triggered a particular rating and/or may be of interest or concern. These ratings are very helpful and cover from Early Childhood (EC) and Everyone (E) to Mature (M) and Adults only (AO).

Other tips:
• Watch the games with them
• Talk to them about the games
• Check the ratings and reviews of the games
• Monitor games their friends bring with them
• Put the consoles/computer where you access them
• Control when the games are played. You set the boundaries.
• Use a family setting if the console has one.
• Take care of unofficial game modifications downloaded from the internet (or Mods) as these can have violence or adult material added to the games.
• Ensure care is taken with networked games about not disclosing private information or details. Remind your children that the internet has a digital fingerprints – so make they know to play fair and safe.

(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/354861/video_game_industry.htm)