Choosing Age-Appropriate Video Games for your Child

According to some polls, upwards of 40 percent ofpossible. Many gaming stores and even some
Americans purchase video games to give as giftsdepartment stores make it possible to preview
during the Christmas holiday season. Clearly, thesevarious games prior to purchasing. If that isn't an
items are hot commodities.But not all video gamesoption, utilize a secondary and often-helpful resource:
are appropriate for children, which is why a ratingthe expertise of store staff.Often, those who work
system, similar to movie and television programin stores that sell video games acquire their jobs
ratings, is utilized by the Entertainment Softwarebecause they have a passion for gaming themselves.
Rating Board (ESRB). This system lets parents knowThere's a good chance they've played the game
which games contain adult content and which gamesfirsthand and are familiar with its content. Naturally,
are appropriate for little ones.Today's video gamesyou run the risk that their values differ from yours.
are more advanced than ever. The graphics are mindSo, instead of asking, "Is this game appropriate for
blowing and the characters are lifelike. Games takean eight-year-old?", it may be better to ask specific
players from the baseball diamond to a World War IIquestions. "Does this game contain any obscene
battlefield to outer space. They also take players intolanguage, violence or sexually explicit graphics?" is one
dark alleys and high-speed chases. Some games areobvious question that comes to mind.It's important to
overly violent. Others are overly sexual. In short, it'sknow that the games do not necessarily receive their
more important than ever for parents to monitorratings based solely upon the game play. For
their kids' games for adult content, especially whenexample, many games utilize popular music by well
you take into consideration that, unlike in previousknown bands. Sometimes a game receives a Teen or
decades, today's video games are widely played byMature rating based upon the lyrics of a song as
adults as well as children.The ESBR, which applies andopposed to the actual graphics or thematic
enforces these ratings, is a starting point. Its ratingdesign.Also, keep in mind that while video games
system is comprised of six rating symbols:EC - Earlyprovide plenty of entertainment, they may or may
Childhoodnot also provide your children with educational
E - Everyoneopportunities. Some games help teach a foreign
E10+ - Everyone 10 and olderlanguage or aid the development of problem-solving
T - Teenskills, while others provide nothing but entertainment.
M - MatureAs a parent, it's up to you to determine which types
AO - Adults OnlyThe rating system is prettyof games you want your children to have access
self-explanatory and should be used as a guidelineto.Brought to you by Imaginary Greetings, a regular
when making a purchase for your child. Of course,contributor of valuable family oriented articles. To help
children mature at their own pace. What iscreate the perfect holiday tree, visit Santa's
appropriate for one 11-year-old may not beOrnament Shop for the best selection of personalized
appropriate for another. For that reason, it's a goodornaments.
idea to preview the game yourself whenever