The video games technique

The video games technique

Even young children seem to have embraced new technology – but while video and computer games can educate and amuse them, they can also tap into any aggressive tendencies your child may have, as Supernanny Jo Frost found when she visited the Tafoya family.

Appropriate video and computer games can be great fun, giving your child a sense of control, releasing tension, and teaching them computer skills that will be invaluable in adulthood. But in a 2005 study, only 21% of kids reported that their parents set rules about which video games they could play and 17% said their parents checked warning labels or ratings on video games. Federal Trade Commission figures show that 69% of unaccompanied 13-16 year-olds are able to purchase M-rated video games from retailers.

The key to ensuring your child benefits from video games instead of learning negative behaviors is to lay some ground rules – do this with Supernanny’s video games technique…

Step 1: Limit time spent on games

Don’t let your child play them for hours on end, especially if it means he’s socially isolated or not taking the physical exercise he needs during that time (for this reason it’s best not to let your child have a computer or games console in his bedroom). Insist that homework or chores are completed before he starts playing them.

Step 2: Know the ratings

Just like with movies, video and computer games are rated. Take the ratings seriously and don’t just go on the age – a sensitive older child might not cope well with a game rated 10+. Make sure your child knows he isn’t allowed to borrow or buy games rated for mature audiences…

• EC (Early Childhood) Content may be suitable for ages 3+ and should contain no material that parents would find inappropriate.
• E (Everyone) Content may be suitable for ages 6+ and may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language.
• E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) Content may be suitable for ages 10+ and may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language, and/or minimal suggestive themes.
• T (Teen) Content may be suitable for ages 13+ and may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language.
• M (Mature) Content may be suitable for ages 17+ and may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and/or strong language.
• AO (Adults Only) Content should only be played by ages 18+ and may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.

Step 3: Join in

Play the games with your child – watching his reactions is the best way to gauge just what sort of impact they’re having on him – and talk to him about what’s going on in the games so you can judge whether he might be taking them too seriously.

Step 4: Get other parents on the same page as you

If your child is playing unsuitable games at a friend’s house it’s vital that you speak to the other child’s parents and ask them to intervene – they may not know it’s going on. Similarly, if your child is buying games from a  local retailer ask them what safeguards they have in place to prevent young children from buying T or M-rated games. Do you belong to a local video/DVD library that rents out games? Ask if it’s possible for a block to be placed on your membership card so your child can’t borrow games over a certain rating.

 

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