How to Monitor Teen Video Games

Parents should monitor their children's use of video games, since recent studies have shown that that playing such games can seriously cut into time that should be reserved for reading, doing homework, socializing with peers and playing outdoors. In addition, some video games may have content, such as sex, violence and language, that may be inappropriate for their teens.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Keep an Eye on How Your Teen Spends His Free Time

1. Monitor the time your teen spends on video games. Several studies have shown that frequent use of video games may reduce the time spent on developing interpersonal relationships and studying for school. At the very least, insist that your teen complete homework assignments and finish chores around the house before the playing of video games is allowed.
2. Review the rating system for video games and determine which rating is the most appropriate for your teen. The current rating system consists of EC (early childhood), E (everyone), E10+ (everyone over the age of 10), T (teens over the age of 13), M (mature, or over the age of 17) and AO (adults over the age of 18 only). Further information accompanies each rating code to determine whether the rating is due to violence, gore or sex.
3. Focus on which types of video games your teen enjoys the most, especially if they contain graphic violence or gore. Many adolescent gamers admit that they enjoy playing violent video games because it helps them to relieve stress and anger. You may want to explore the reasons for these feelings by discussing the problem with your teen.
4. Keep the video game systems in the living room or family room and not in your teen's bedroom. This will help you to monitor the amount of time your teen spends playing video games by keeping her activity in plain sight.
5. Play the video games with your teen. This gives you a chance to find out the content of the game firsthand and to discuss some of the more objectionable content.
6. Look for video games that encourage a group to play at the same time, as opposed to games that only allow one player at a time. This will help to foster teamwork and help your teen to interact with others more often.

Tips & Warnings

• According to a recent study from a medical research team in Boston, two-thirds of all male adolescent gamers regularly play video games that have been rated "mature" due to excessive violence and gore.