I remember Coleco and Atari from when I was a kid.
The age of video games was just beginning, with clunky joysticks and graphics that are childish compared to what is available to children today. The options for video games have expanded exponentially. Children are often far more savvy than their parents regarding what is available. Many parents complain to me as we discuss limiting TV and video game time, “He/she wants to spend hours upstairs playing the Xbox.” Parents have the right and responsibility to set clear guidelines regarding what is acceptable for their children’s’ game time. This is not hard to do with just a little background and common sense.
To start, video games are not all bad. There are some products which may improve hand-eye coordination and develop problem solving skills. Items like the Wii which get kids up and moving can definitely have benefits. However, keep in mind that tennis or bowling on the Wii is not going to expend as many calories as actually getting out and participating in the sport. Also, many people are playing the Wii in the living room or rec room with some snacks readily available on the coffee table. This is usually not the case for kids who are out on the tennis court. They are focused on the game. It’s okay to use video games to blow off steam on a rainy day. However, I would not recommend routinely substituting Wii sports for the actual thing.
Additionally, many video games place the child in the role of a main character that shoots or fights toward winning a particular goal. These violent video games have been shown to increase kids’ aggressive behavior. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has developed a rating system to provide parents with information about the content of video games. There are two parts to this system.
Rating symbols are present on the front of the video game box and suggest age appropriateness of the game. There are seven different rating symbols:
1) Early Childhood – for 3 years and above; no material parents would find inappropriate.
2) Everyone – for 6 years and above with minimal cartoon and fantasy or mild violence and mild language.
3) Everyone 10+ – for 10 years and above with more cartoon and fantasy, mild violence, mild language and some suggestive themes.
4) Teen – for 13 years and above with violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, gambling and strong language.
5) Mature – for 17 years and above with intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and strong language.
6) Adults only – for 18 years and above with intense violence, graphic sexual content and nudity.
7) Rating Pending – this is only present when the game is advertised prior to release and a rating has not yet been assigned by the ESRB.
The content descriptors, which give parents additional information to clarify the rating, are present on the back of the box and detail elements of a game that may be of interest or concern. For example, a game may specifically be listed to contain “comic mischief” or “animated blood.” Keep in mind that the ESRB ratings are designed to give parents guidance on the content of a game. Simply because the ESRB rates a game appropriate for 10 year-olds, it does not mean you as a parent must accept that it is appropriate for your 10 year-old. Keep the video game console in a common area of the house. If you notice images that are concerning, watch how your child reacts, discuss the content with him or her, and ultimately decide for yourself whether the game is appropriate for your child.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than two hours per day of screen time for children. That includes video games, computer games, television and movies. Make a daily time limit clear to your children and model this behavior by turning off the television or computer yourself. Take the kids out to play, walk or even grocery shop. And plan a dinner to make together. Make sure you and your children are living life, not just watching it on the screen.
