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Tips For Setting Video Game Guidelines For Your Children

by Lily_Morgan

Setting guidelines for video games can be difficult. Most kids
would play for hours - at least until the bathroom or the
refrigerator calls them away. So how do you determine what is
fair and safe for your child?

Time Limits

Your child may prefer to spend every waking moment plugged into
a video game console, but healthy kids need a balanced schedule.
Homework, chores, outdoor play, and family time need to take
precedence over video games. Video games are a reward for
completing tasks. Set a time limit for each day�s maximum gaming
time.

A good guideline for children aged 5-10 is 30-60 minutes a day,
with a few extra minutes allowed on weekends. Up to two hours per
day is appropriate for teens and pre-teens, as long as homework
and chores are completed.

An egg timer is a good tool for tracking game time. The timer
begins once play starts. When the bell sounds, the child must
save and exit the game immediately. Parents may be tempted to
allow the child to finish the current game or level when the
alarm sounds, but some children are crafty. They take advantage
of this lenience to extend playing time.

Monitoring Video Game Content

A standardized rating system tags each video game to levels of
appropriateness for different age ranges. This rating system is a
general guideline only. Just because a game is rated �E� for
everyone does not mean the game is free of offensive language,
actions and themes.

Each family must decide what is unacceptable. Discuss and draft
these family guidelines with your children. Spell out clear
consequences for violating guidelines. These guidelines apply to
the child whether the game is played at home or at a friend�s
house, as well as when other children bring games into your
home.

If you are unsure of a video game, rent the game and play it
when the child is not present to preview the content. Most
salespersons at gaming stores are very knowledgeable of many of
the games they sell. They can usually tell you if a particular
game violates your family�s guidelines. You can also check the
annual Video Game Report Card produced by the National Institute
on Media and the Family. The Entertainment Software Rating Board
website contains in-depth information about the video game rating
system as well.

One of the best ways to monitor your child�s video game habits
is to play with them. Plug in an extra controller once a week and
spend a few minutes appreciating your child�s video game skills.
This can be a period of bonding even into the troublesome teenage
years.

Video games do have some redeeming qualities. They are
entertaining for your child, encourage fantasy play, build
imagination, increase eye/hand coordination, teach strategy, and
can be educational. They also teach younger children to share,
lose, and win gracefully. Time spent with a video game controller
also strengthens the small muscles in a child�s hands, resulting
in better handwriting and small motor control.

Video games are a popular pastime for children, but they require
parental supervision the same as other areas of your child�s
life. Become involved, get informed, set limits, and reap the
benefits of your child�s love of video gaming.

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