Lily Morgan asked:


Setting guidelines for video games can be difficult. Most kids would play for hours - at least until the bathroom or the refrigerator calls them away. So how do you determine what is fair and safe for your child?

Time Limits

Your child may prefer to spend every waking moment plugged into a video game console, but healthy kids need a balanced schedule. Homework, chores, outdoor play, and family time need to take precedence over video games. Video games are a reward for completing tasks. Set a time limit for each day’s maximum gaming time.

A good guideline for children aged 5-10 is 30-60 minutes a day, with a few extra minutes allowed on weekends. Up to two hours per day is appropriate for teens and pre-teens, as long as homework and chores are completed.

An egg timer is a good tool for tracking game time. The timer begins once play starts. When the bell sounds, the child must save and exit the game immediately. Parents may be tempted to allow the child to finish the current game or level when the alarm sounds, but some children are crafty. They take advantage of this lenience to extend playing time.

Monitoring Video Game Content

A standardized rating system tags each video game to levels of appropriateness for different age ranges. This rating system is a general guideline only. Just because a game is rated “E” for everyone does not mean the game is free of offensive language, actions and themes.

Each family must decide what is unacceptable. Discuss and draft these family guidelines with your children. Spell out clear consequences for violating guidelines. These guidelines apply to the child whether the game is played at home or at a friend’s house, as well as when other children bring games into your home.

If you are unsure of a video game, rent the game and play it when the child is not present to preview the content. Most salespersons at gaming stores are very knowledgeable of many of the games they sell. They can usually tell you if a particular game violates your family’s guidelines. You can also check the annual Video Game Report Card produced by the National Institute on Media and the Family. The Entertainment Software Rating Board website contains in-depth information about the video game rating system as well.

One of the best ways to monitor your child’s video game habits is to play with them. Plug in an extra controller once a week and spend a few minutes appreciating your child’s video game skills. This can be a period of bonding even into the troublesome teenage years.

Video games do have some redeeming qualities. They are entertaining for your child, encourage fantasy play, build imagination, increase eye/hand coordination, teach strategy, and can be educational. They also teach younger children to share, lose, and win gracefully. Time spent with a video game controller also strengthens the small muscles in a child’s hands, resulting in better handwriting and small motor control.

Video games are a popular pastime for children, but they require parental supervision the same as other areas of your child’s life. Become involved, get informed, set limits, and reap the benefits of your child’s love of video gaming.

Xbox 360 Game Cheats

Timothy Rudon asked:


Gaming has taken root and there are no signs of the popularity abating. Children as well as adults are all hooked to computer and video gaming in a big way. And, the internet has added a dash of excitement into gaming as players can now not just play online but compete online.

The gaming world realizes that if they are to sustain a multi-billion dollar business they must care not just for the gamers but their parents too. The Entertainment Software Rating Board or ESRB has issued video gaming tips as a guide for parents. The ESRB is the one that tests video games and rates them so that parents can select suitable games for children of different age groups.

1. Parents must check the ratings and examine the rating symbol on the front of the package as well as read the content descriptor at the back when buying a game. The ESRB site http://www.esrb.org has in depth information about games rated by them.

2. Never depend on advertisements, always talk to parents and older children to get an holistic view of the game you intend to buy.

3. Be a friend to your child and play the games with him or her. There is nothing like a hands on experience.

4. Beware of online gaming as very often the game has unrated components. Online gaming also has features like chats and exchange of ideas and information. Parents must teach their kids especially very young ones about the dangers lurking on the internet.

5. Learn all about downloadable mods that alter the content of games. Mods can change the appropriateness of the game for young players so parents must be vigilant.

6. Always invest in video game consoles and handhelds that have parental controls. This will enable you to limit the gaming content your children can access. Using parental controls will ensure that the children only play games that are appropriate to them.

7. Know your child’s nature and buy games that will nurture the child’s holistic growth. Games are known to have many benefits, us them to your advantage.

8. Know the games your kids play by reading their reviews online and joining gaming blogs and forum. Read game reviews and watch game trailers and demos.

9. Make time to interact with your children. Play games with them and teach them that gaming is not harmful if played right. Win their confidence so that they are open with you and share their fears and joys.

10. Take the kids to game expos and exhibitions. Learn all about the gaming world. Keep one step ahead at all times and your kids will be able to play games without any problems.

The World Wide Web is a great information highway that has information about all games new and old. Make use of the knowledge to monitor your children’s gaming world.

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