Things You'll Need:
- Computer
- 5 minutes
- Ear Plugs...you'll need these after you tell your child you looked up "Zombie Bikini Chainsaw Volleyball" and it won't be under the Christmas tree this year, or ever.
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Step 1
Ask your children why they're interested in the game:
More than likely, your child knows if you would approve of the game or not. Although you may not find gaming the most interesting of topics, because of the mature content in many games it's essential that parents become involved in their children's gaming. -
Step 2
Check the Game's Rating:
Games, like movies, are rated based on their content. The ratings range from EC (Early Childhood) to AO (Adult Only) and are found in the lower left corner of every game’s box. On the back of the game’s box consumers can find an abbreviated explanation of possibly offensive material contained in the game. The analogy between games and movies is a good one for parents to keep in mind. If you wouldn’t think of buying your child a Rated R movie for Christmas, you should probably avoid games that are Rated M for Mature, because these games can have virtually identical content. M Rated games can contain graphic violence, sexual themes, nudity, drug and alcohol reference, and strong language. A complete listing of games and their ratings is available at www.esrb.org. Checking a video game’s rating should be an essential step for any parent before they begin filling their children’s Christmas wish lists. -
Step 3
Check the Game's Themes/Content on Gaming Websites:
Understanding the ratings system isn’t enough, as the rating alone doesn’t always give you a complete picture of a game’s themes and content. For instance, two games can receive the “Intense Violence” warning, but portray vastly different kinds of violence. The violence in the counter-terrorism Tom Clancy game Rainbow Six, is much different than the much publicized misogynistic and wanton violence of the Grand Theft Auto series. To understand the games that your children will be spending hours exploring parents should consider reading online game reviews. These reviews will provide a wealth of information including screen shots, videos and links to other information about the game. Gaming websites do vary in quality and focus, but www.gamespot.com and www.ign.com are generally regarded as two of the premier gaming news outlets.
