Video Games For Your Family

Computer and video games are a favorite pastime among people of all ages, especially children. But many video games today are very different from classics like "Pac-Man" and "Asteroid." The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) assigns ratings to video game content, offers the following tips for parents to help them choose the games they deem appropriate for their families, and be prepared for the realities of playing online games.

• Check the ESRB for every game you buy. The classification symbol on the front of the packet indicates the appropriate age and content descriptors on the back to provide additional information on game content that may be of interest or concern.

• Talk with other parents and children on their own experiences with video games.

• Monitor your child play video games, as you would with TV, movies and the Internet.

• Be careful with online-enabled games. Some games allow users to play online with other players, and may include live chat features or other content generated that may not be reflected in the ESRB ratings. Many of these games carry the warning: "The game experience may change during online play." The new game console allows you to disable the online game-play under the parental control settings.

• Remember that most PC games can be changed by downloading the "mod" on the Internet, which has been created and the other players may change or add content to the game, which may conflict with the rating assigned.

• Learn about and use parental control. Latest game console and portable hardware devices allow parents to limit the content their children can access. By activating parental controls, you can ensure your children play games that carry ratings you deem appropriate.

• Consider your child's unique personality and abilities. No one knows your child better than you do, believe that knowledge when choosing computer and video games.

• Playing computer and video games with your children. It is not only a great way to have fun together but also to get to know which games your child finds interesting and exciting, and why.

• More ratings. Game reviews, trailers and "demos" that allow you to sample games are available online and in magazines amateur games, and can provide additional details on the content of the game.