Keeping Tabs on Technology
Taming the Video Game Tiger
1. Limit game palying time. (Recommendation: no more than one hour per day.)
2. Check the age game rating on the box. Become familiar with the game before you buy it. (Some
T(een) and E(everyone) rated games have the level of violence and sex that you may not be comfortable with.)
3. Use other content sources and reviews to help you choose a game. (Games are often previewed on the web.)
4. Check KidSource for parent generated game reviews.
5. Rent a game to preview before buying.
6. Avoid the "first person shooter", killing machine games. M-rated games are not meant for children or teenagers.
7. Require that homework and chores be done before games playing. Playing games should be a rewards.
8. Do not put video game consoles or computers in children's bedrooms where they can shut the door and isolate themselves.
9. Play and enjoy the game with your child; check in as your child moves into deeper levels in the game. (With some games the level of violence goes up the deeper into the game the player gets.)
10. Talk about the content of the games. Ask your child what's going on in the game.
Video Game Ratings:
EC-Early Childhood - age 3+
KA-Kids to adults - 6+
E-Everyone
T-Teens - 13+
M-Mature - 17+
AO-Adult Only - 18+
RP-Rating Pending
