| Many of the most popular video games may be a | | | | There are many excellent video games out there, so |
| bad choice for kids. When parents are deciding which | | | | why waste your hard-earned money on bad games |
| video game to buy for their children, make sure to | | | | for your kids. Strategy games, non-violent role playing |
| check the rating for the game. There are an | | | | video games, and sports games are all popular |
| incredible amount of choices for parents and kids to | | | | choices for children. Video games can have a very |
| choose from when it comes time to buy a game. | | | | positive effect on children's minds if used properly. |
| Unfortunately, many video games out there can be a | | | | Video games help kids work on their motor skills, |
| bad influence for kids who don't understand the | | | | decision-making skills, and concentration. Many games |
| images that they are seeing. | | | | are also very educational. |
| While video games can be an excellent outlet for | | | | One great tool to help you is the ESRB ratings, which |
| stress for kids and an excellent way to hone their | | | | are an industry-standard requirement on all video |
| motor skills, there is a real risk that children can get | | | | games. They are very similar to movie ratings and |
| completely addicted to violent games or even the | | | | easy to learn how to spot and read. EC for Early |
| most mundane strategy game. There have been | | | | Childhood or E for Everyone are games that contain |
| many cases around the world of kids who are | | | | no offensive, violent, or sexual content and are |
| unwilling to leave their room for days, who go | | | | generally the best for kids. T for Teen might be a bit |
| without food and water in their quest to finish the | | | | more violent, have a heavier or darker plot, or |
| next stage of the game or defeat their enemy. | | | | contain some stronger language, but generally in a |
| When kids lose themselves in video games, that is | | | | way that isn't excessive and would be appropriate |
| when parents need to step in and help them modify | | | | for most teenagers. M for Mature games should be |
| their habits. Kids playing violent games for hours | | | | avoided unless you are aware of and familiar with the |
| during the day can often be negatively affected by | | | | game and deem it appropriate for your child, as |
| the images they see. The question is whether | | | | those are the games that are the "R rated" games |
| parents can help them understand the real | | | | of the gaming world and should be treated as such. |
| consequences of violence in the world. They need to | | | | Any game retail store has signs and brochures with |
| know the difference between the fake world of a | | | | more information, so feel free to ask the clerks for |
| video game and the real world. Unfortunately, video | | | | more information. It's becoming increasingly standard, |
| games are becoming even more realistic looking and | | | | and in some areas the law, that anyone purchasing |
| time consuming. | | | | an M-rated game must show an ID card to prove |
| Parents can also rent video games and try them out | | | | their age, much like many theaters do for R-rated |
| for themselves before buying them for their kids. | | | | movies. |
| This gives parents the chance to decide for | | | | If you take the time to discover what is out there in |
| themselves which games are bad for their kids. | | | | the gaming world, you will be able to help your kids |
| Parents can also play games with their kids. It can be | | | | by choosing the right video games for them. Don't |
| a great way to bond with kids and learn a little more | | | | miss out on this opportunity to mold your kids' future. |
| about their world. Children should be limited in the | | | | Video games are becoming an increasingly important |
| amount of time they can spend on video games. Kids | | | | part of the way kids grow up, and parents must |
| need to get out and enjoy the outside world instead | | | | take an active role in determining the way kids |
| of being locked away inside for hours on end. | | | | experience this type of entertainment. |