This article addresses many parents´ concerns over video games and their ratings. It includes interviews with industry experts and parents alike, to provide solid information to any parent who has ever wondered if their kids are playing too many, or too advanced, games.
Video Game Ratings - Should They Be Believed or Ignored?

US consumers spent over $10 billion last year for video game players and video games. Many of those games were intended for teenagers and even adults, but may have ended up in your 10-year-old’s hands. How closely should parents watch the video game ratings, or the games themselves for that matter? Experts are divided in their opinions, but unified in their guidelines, which will help every parent who has ever wondered if their kids are playing too many, or too advanced, games.

Video game ratings are assigned by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), a self-regulatory body established in 1994. The ESRB rating has two parts, the rating symbol which suggests an age group for the game, and the content descriptor which describes elements of the game that may concern consumers.

Dr. Kimberly Thompson, Director of the “KidsRisk Project” at the Harvard School of Public Health, feels the rating does not provide enough information for parents to make an informed decision. “Take the time to observe, as your child experiences video games,” says Thompson. “It’s up to parents to provide the context that is often missing in the games, like the real consequences of some of the choices made by game characters,” she adds.

We can also turn to the Internet for help. The ESRB website offers the ratings and descriptors on video games, along with a search engine for finding the right game for your child. There are also other web sites that offer extensive game reviews, from a parent’s perspective.

The National Institute on Media and the Family suggest parents rent the game before buying it, and then check in periodically as the child plays, since the violence often escalates in deeper levels. They suggest parents talk with their children about the content, explaining why they object to, or approve of, the game.

Video games can be great for kids, or terrible, depending on how they’re used. Dr. Kevin Schumacher is a psychologist at Prairie St. John’s Hospital in Fargo. He suggests video games can improve a child’s eye-hand coordination and also concentration, as they tune into the relevant parts of the game and tune out the distractions. “Some games are specifically designed to teach forms of reasoning, like cause and effect, means to an end, and other important cognitive concepts,” says Schumacher. He adds another benefit, “an 11 year old client of mine recently reminded me that video games may provide a break from daily stresses that adults may not see or understand.”

“Though games aren´t generally educational in the traditional sense, they can absolutely contribute to a child´s reading skills, problem-solving abilities, and imagination in ways that other forms of media cannot,” says Sid Shuman, editor of GamePro Magazine. He appreciates the positive influences that quality games can have on children.

Video game developers appear to understand the duel-edged sword in their creation. Howard Sherman is President of video game developer, Malinche Entertainment. He feels the games can teach children a winning attitude as they tackle obstacles and persevere until they succeed. “But too many of today´s video games focus on violent themes and violent answers,” adds Sherman. He also points out the propensity of today’s games to denigrate people, demean woman, and make a mockery of the English language.

Dr. Ellen Feldman is a psychiatrist at Altru Health System in Fargo. She sees other reasons for restricting game playing. “Many children with less than optimal attention and focus have the ability to hyperfocus when a stimuli is present. They focus so hard on the games, it is difficult for them to break away,” says Feldman. Parents experience this
when they try to get their kids to put down the controller and come to dinner, or crack the books.

Dr. Schumacher shifts the focus to what the kids are not doing. “The most harmful aspect of video games is that they often remove the child from the opportunity to read. Reading is still one of the best predictors of future academic success, while video game competencies are not,” says Schumacher. There’s something else the games don’t provide – exercise. In the past 30 years the rate of obesity has more than doubled for adolescents and tripled for children ages 6-11 years. Schumacher also sees problems with the isolation and sedentary nature of the games. “Games force kids to play alone, and without much in the way of using either their bodies, or imaginations,” says Schumacher.

A separate issue arises when parents are asked by their young child to play “Teen” rated games. Dr. Schumacher doesn’t see a problem with kids being exposed to more advanced games, as long as there is parental involvement. “The larger issue is whether parents are engaged with and knowledgeable about their kids, and are willing to set limits, nurture potential, and provide consistent guidance.”

Dr. Feldman agrees but would like to see a clearer boundary drawn by parents. She suggests parents take a hard line on video game ratings, especially when the “everyone is doing it” card is played. “Parents would be best off holding their ground on this one. We really have no good studies indicating the dangers inherent in allowing this, so why risk the exposure?” asks Feldman.
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