Video Games: An Opportunity to Connect With Your Kids

By: Monica Vila
Co-founder of TheOnlineMom.com

Ratings_boxI’ve always found video games to be an incredible connecter of parents and children. And when it comes to kids’ entertainment choices, video games are sure to be near the top of the list. However, when a new and popular game title is released, some parents may be unsure if it is appropriate for their child to play. But rest assured, even if you don’t know a lot about video games, a simple way to determine a games’ appropriateness is to check the rating. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is responsible for those familiar and trusted video game rating icons, and they are great for quickly accessing information about a game’s age appropriateness.

In fact, the ESRB is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month. For two decades this organization has been helping educate parents about the content of console video games and mobile apps.  In celebration of their anniversary, here are a few of my favorite tips:

Check for Age Appropriate Ratings – E (Everyone), E10+ (Everyone 10+), T (Teen) & More

esrb-symbols225Shopping for the perfect video game is made infinitely easier by tapping into the ratings and content descriptors published on the game package itself or pulling up the ratings information for a game using the ESRB mobile app.  On the front of every game box, ESRB provides easy-to-understand ratings that range from EC (Early Childhood) to AO (Adults Only for ages 18+) prominently displayed on the front of the box.

Review the Content Descriptors – The “Why” of Ratings

Turn the box over, and you’ll find content descriptors indicating content that may have triggered a particular rating or may be of interest or concern.  This can include Language, Cartoon Violence, Suggestive Themes, and more. This added detail helps parents make informed decisions on what’s right for their child based on their own personal family values and their child’s maturity.  For example, some games are assigned a T (Teen) rating with content descriptors for Violence and Language, while another might earn the same rating with content descriptors for Suggestive Themes and Crude Humor.

Understand Interactive Elements – Shares Info, Shares Location, Users Interact

Like many other aspect of our life – games, too, have become increasingly mobile.  Many mobile and other digitally delivered games allow or encourage players to interact and share information, and while these features add a whole new and exciting dimension to game play, they can also be used to collect or share personal information about the user.  For this reason, ESRB now includes Interactive Elements as part of the rating information for mobile games and apps.  There are three interactive element descriptors:

  • esrb-shares200Shares Info, which indicates that personal information provided by the user (e.g., e-mail address, phone number, credit card info, etc.) is shared with third parties;
  • Shares Location, which includes the ability to display the user’s location to other users of the app;
  • Users Interact, which indicates possible exposure to unfiltered/uncensored user-generated content Including user-to-user communications and media sharing via social media and networks.

Rating Summaries – A More Detailed Description of Game Content

For parents who would like to know even more about the content of a game, ESRB created rating summaries.  Rating summaries are a supplementary source of information that give you a detailed yet brief description of exactly the kind of content you would want to know about when choosing a game for your child. Most packaged video games have a rating summary, which can be accessed via ESRB.org and ESRB’s mobile app.

Follow ESRB’s Motto – Ok to Play

While ESRB ratings are a great starting point for any game purchase, the magic happens when you pick-up a controller to play with your child. Sure – you might learn a few new dance moves or maybe even discover how to use the elusive “X” button.  However, chances are, you’ll find that playing together is a great connector – an opportunity to push the pause button on life and just have some fun.  So remember parents: it’s ok to play!

Monica Vila is founder of The Online Mom Network – a community devoted to promoting a healthy understanding and appreciation for the positive role technology can play in a child’s life. She’s constantly chatting on Facebook or on Twitter @TheOnlineMom where you are more than welcome to join the conversation.

Comments:

  1. I have always admired the quality graphics in video games. I hope that in the future I will be able to create the same videos. Now I’m learning how to work with them. And thanks to canva alternative the process of creating videos has become much easier for me. I have found many useful tools. My videos have become much brighter and better.

  2. Children love video games. But I think that outdoor games and football are more beneficial for a child. Sometimes I like to run with friends in airsoft or other games. And thanks to Blaster Hero I learned about cool gaming pistols. It turns out they have a huge selection and you can pick up any weapon to your taste.

  3. Excellent blog here! Also your web site rather a lot up very fast!

    What web host are you using? Can I get your associate
    hyperlink on your host? I want my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  4. I am really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the
    layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize
    it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it
    is rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.

  5. I was extremely pleased to find this website. I want to to thank
    you for ones time for this fantastic read!! I definitely liked every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked
    to see new things on your website.

  6. Very good info. Lucky me I recently found your site by accident
    (stumbleupon). I’ve bookmarked it for later!

  7. I love what you guys are usually up too. This kind of clever work and coverage!
    Keep up the good works guys I’ve included you guys to my personal blogroll.

  8. I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog.
    It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me
    to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a
    developer to create your theme? Exceptional work!

  9. I every time spent my half an hour to read this blog’s articles daily along with
    a mug of coffee.

  10. You actually make it appear really easy along with your presentation but
    I in finding this matter to be actually one thing that I think I would by no means
    understand. It kind of feels too complex and extremely wide for me.
    I’m having a look forward on your next put up, I’ll try to get the grasp of
    it!

  11. Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite
    justification seemed to be on the net the easiest thing to be aware
    of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people consider worries that
    they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the
    top and also defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal.
    Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

  12. Fantastic items from you, man. I’ve remember your stuff prior to and you’re simply
    too excellent. I really like what you have acquired here,
    certainly like what you are saying and the way by which you assert it.
    You make it enjoyable and you continue to care for to stay
    it wise. I cant wait to learn much more from you. That is actually a terrific web site.

  13. I am really enjoying the theme/design of your weblog. Do you ever
    run into any internet browser compatibility issues?
    A small number of my blog readers have complained about my website
    not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari.
    Do you have any tips to help fix this issue?

  14. Hi, Neat post. There’s an issue together with your web site in web explorer, could test this?
    IE nonetheless is the marketplace leader and a good part of folks will omit your excellent writing because of this problem.

  15. Hey would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re utilizing?
    I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different web browsers and
    I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you recommend a good hosting provider at a fair
    price? Thanks a lot, I appreciate it!

  16. I blog quite often and I truly thank you for your content.
    This great article has truly peaked my interest. I will book
    mark your blog and keep checking for new details about
    once a week. I subscribed to your Feed as well.

  17. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt
    donate to this fantastic blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to
    my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates
    and will share this blog with my Facebook group. Chat soon!

  18. Awesome website you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any user discussion forums that cover the same topics talked about here?
    I’d really like to be a part of online community where I can get comments from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same
    interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know.
    Bless you!

  19. Hi there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re using?
    I’m going to start my own blog soon but I’m having a hard time choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs
    and I’m looking for something unique.
    P.S Sorry for getting off-topic but I had to ask!

  20. Hi to all, how is the whole thing, I think every one is getting more from this website, and
    your views are pleasant for new visitors.

  21. I’ve been surfing on-line more than 3 hours nowadays, yet I by no
    means found any fascinating article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me.
    Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made excellent content as
    you did, the internet shall be much more helpful than ever before.

  22. Howdy! This article could not be written any better! Looking through this article reminds me of
    my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this.
    I will send this article to him. Pretty sure
    he’s going to have a great read. Many thanks for sharing!

  23. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something that I
    think I would never understand. It seems too complex and very broad for me.
    I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the
    hang of it!

  24. My developer is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP.
    I have always disliked the idea because of the costs.
    But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on a variety of websites for about
    a year and am concerned about switching to
    another platform. I have heard very good things
    about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress content into it?
    Any help would be really appreciated!

  25. I think this is one of the most vital info for me. And i’m glad reading your article.
    But want to remark on few general things, The website style is wonderful, the articles is really excellent :
    D. Good job, cheers

  26. Greetings from California! I’m bored to death at work so I
    decided to check out your website on my iphone during lunch break.
    I love the information you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
    I’m amazed at how fast your blog loaded on my cell phone ..
    I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, wonderful blog!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *