Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Tips for Parents of Gamers

Play with your kids; look beyond ESRB ratings

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 1, 2009 4:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – Video games can present a real challenge to parents—banning them from the household is too harsh, but allowing children to play without restrictions can lead to unhealthy consequences. Ars Technica compiles seven pointers:

  1. Remember that it’s like any other parenting challenge. The easiest way to discern gaming’s positive and negative aspects is to maintain an open dialogue with your child.
  2. Play games with your children. This allows you to see for yourself what your kid is actually up to when he/she powers up the console.

  1. Look beyond ratings. Consider two games: Halo 3 and Wolverine. Both have the same rating—Mature—but Halo is firmly in the Star Wars school of de-gored action while Wolverine is an anatomically faithful, non-stop decapitation fest.
  2. Set limits. Like any other pastime, gaming can detract from homework, chores, and socialization.
  3. Be wary of online play. The danger on services like Xbox Live is not online predators, but the culture of anti-social behavior and hate speech indulged in by other kids.
Click the link for the full list.

A screenshot from Bungie's Halo 3.
A screenshot from Bungie's "Halo 3."   (AP Photo/Bungie)
In this video image released by Activision, a scene is shown from the video game, X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
In this video image released by Activision, a scene is shown from the video game, "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."   (AP Photo/Activision)
Microsoft provided this photo of an XBOX 360 console with HD DVD player and hard drive.
Microsoft provided this photo of an XBOX 360 console with HD DVD player and hard drive.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
unfathomedchaos
Jul 2, 2009 3:48 AM CDT
Wonder if your parents have ever reconsidered there choice.
northeast
Jul 2, 2009 1:05 AM CDT
#6: Don't let your kids play Call of Duty on Xbox Live. They whine and cry and sing songs the whole time and make your team lose. Damn n00bs...

More Newser Stories

Kids Have Been Short on Sleep for 100 Years

To Curb Obesity, Give Babies Finger Food

Why French Parents Are Better

Methadone Stashed in Medicine Bottle Kills Boy, 6

Nurturing Moms Help Kids' Brains Grow


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne