| According to some polls, upwards of 40 percent of | | | | possible. Many gaming stores and even some |
| Americans purchase video games to give as gifts | | | | department stores make it possible to preview |
| during the Christmas holiday season. Clearly, these | | | | various games prior to purchasing. If that isn't an |
| items are hot commodities.But not all video games | | | | option, utilize a secondary and often-helpful resource: |
| are appropriate for children, which is why a rating | | | | the expertise of store staff.Often, those who work |
| system, similar to movie and television program | | | | in stores that sell video games acquire their jobs |
| ratings, is utilized by the Entertainment Software | | | | because they have a passion for gaming themselves. |
| Rating Board (ESRB). This system lets parents know | | | | There's a good chance they've played the game |
| which games contain adult content and which games | | | | firsthand and are familiar with its content. Naturally, |
| are appropriate for little ones.Today's video games | | | | you run the risk that their values differ from yours. |
| are more advanced than ever. The graphics are mind | | | | So, instead of asking, "Is this game appropriate for |
| blowing and the characters are lifelike. Games take | | | | an eight-year-old?", it may be better to ask specific |
| players from the baseball diamond to a World War II | | | | questions. "Does this game contain any obscene |
| battlefield to outer space. They also take players into | | | | language, violence or sexually explicit graphics?" is one |
| dark alleys and high-speed chases. Some games are | | | | obvious question that comes to mind.It's important to |
| overly violent. Others are overly sexual. In short, it's | | | | know that the games do not necessarily receive their |
| more important than ever for parents to monitor | | | | ratings based solely upon the game play. For |
| their kids' games for adult content, especially when | | | | example, many games utilize popular music by well |
| you take into consideration that, unlike in previous | | | | known bands. Sometimes a game receives a Teen or |
| decades, today's video games are widely played by | | | | Mature rating based upon the lyrics of a song as |
| adults as well as children.The ESBR, which applies and | | | | opposed to the actual graphics or thematic |
| enforces these ratings, is a starting point. Its rating | | | | design.Also, keep in mind that while video games |
| system is comprised of six rating symbols:EC - Early | | | | provide plenty of entertainment, they may or may |
| Childhood | | | | not also provide your children with educational |
| E - Everyone | | | | opportunities. Some games help teach a foreign |
| E10+ - Everyone 10 and older | | | | language or aid the development of problem-solving |
| T - Teen | | | | skills, while others provide nothing but entertainment. |
| M - Mature | | | | As a parent, it's up to you to determine which types |
| AO - Adults OnlyThe rating system is pretty | | | | of games you want your children to have access |
| self-explanatory and should be used as a guideline | | | | to.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 is | | | | create the perfect holiday tree, visit Santa's |
| appropriate for one 11-year-old may not be | | | | Ornament Shop for the best selection of personalized |
| appropriate for another. For that reason, it's a good | | | | ornaments. |
| idea to preview the game yourself whenever | | | | |