Video games
Videogames have come a long way since the days of Space Invaders and are now increasingly important in the lives of children, both from an entertainment and educational standpoint. Discovering practical guidelines can help you responsibly integrate gaming into your household.
The videogames industry is a sophisticated business - according to the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia the local industry alone recorded sales of $925 million in 2006 - but many parents remain confused about what roles videogames should or shouldn't play in their child's upbringing. Certainly the sheer number of conflicting media reports regarding their advantages and disadvantages can only serve to further confuse parents, who are already faced with slick marketing campaigns from retailers and videogame publishers.
With videogames so widespread, it's inevitable that your child will be keen start playing them. Crucially, when parents understand videogames they are in a better position to gain a clearer window into their growing child.
In brief, critics of videogames argue that games have a detrimental effect when it comes to schooling and that children suffer socially and in their health. More vocal critics will even argue that children who play games become irritable when not playing games and that they may even begin lying about their videogame use.
Equally however, many other studies show evidence that videogames are a unique way to help develop skills in growing gamers. Many advocates point to the positive aspects of gaming: being clearly fun, multiplayer games also act as another form of socialising, games are modern-day role-playing, they encourage teamwork and teach children to plan ahead, introduce children to technology, increase self-esteem as they conquer games and develop puzzle-solving skills and fine motor skills.
Parent-of-two Andrew Parsons, was so keen to demystify games for non-gaming parents he set up a website called GameParents that specifically looks at issues such as age appropriateness and quality in kid-friendly games. The key for parents, says Parsons, is to simply approach video games like they would any other entertainment form.
"I'd say treat it just like movies with the one caveat being that parents should be aware that there aren't R ratings for games," he said. "Therefore there are some games that fall into the MA15+ bracket that maybe would have gone into R if there was one.
"Parents have got to be aware that just like any movie that says it's G, it doesn't mean it'll necessarily be appropriate for every child. Most five-year-old kids will love Finding Nemo but you're going to get one in every ten or so, who will get so freaked out by the shark they can't watch the movie. You need to be aware of your child and act accordingly. Games are the same."
Do you need some help? Here are Essential Baby's Top Five Tips:
1) Play with your kids: Don't be mistaken in thinking that you won't actually enjoy a videogame targeted at children. Movie or cartoon-licenced games are not always the best and educational games usually lack the key ingredient of fun. So look for "party starters" like the Buzz! Junior games that are highly enjoyable, but still have a strong educational aspect. Racing and some adventure games are other genres that parents and children can share. While it is important to allow children to have their space and explore game worlds on their own, playing with them does provide a good opportunity to discuss games themselves and ensure they do not become completely "lost" in the game. Informed discussion of games will also help them distinguish the difference between reality and fantasy.
2) Set ground rules: Clear boundaries are an effective way to show your children that videogames do not become their default activity of choice and that they are able to balance it with other activities. Help them understand that games should only be one aspect of a healthy lifestyle and that they may have other priorities to also deal with, such as homework.
3) Balance videogames with other games: Show your children that while videogames are fun and you understand their desire to play them, enjoyment can also be found playing and exercising outdoors.
4) Find out more about the games: If you are concerned about the content of a certain game, do some research. The internet and magazines are excellent resources for videogame reviews, and while you may not be the target audience they will help you decide whether you feel they are suitable for your child. Remember, only the MA15+ rating is a legally restricted classification so there is no substitution for your own knowledge.
5) Swap and rent: With the cost of each game, a smart way to play games is to rent them first or swap them with other parents before deciding you may want a copy of your own. In addition, your local video store will be able to restrict your account so your children will need your permission to rent certain games (and movies).
With the growing trend of online gaming, parents are now faced with a new raft of issues. No longer just the domain of PC-based games, games are now capable of being played online through consoles like the Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 3 so children may find themselves playing, and thus interacting with, older gamers. But parents can take comfort in the fact that each manufacturer has a number of security features in place aimed to protect young gamers.
Sony Computer Entertainment for example, has multiple tools available for parents and online gamers who use the PlayStation Network. As well being able to set up Master and individual accounts, the Network has additional technical settings aimed to curb inappropriate behaviour and provide a safe environment.
Constant moderation and QA, as well as a grief reporting system are in place to detect gamers found to be in breach of certain standards, such as if they're bullying. While these protocols are in place, concerned parents will still find that the only way to gain true peace of mind is to check the online games out themselves. Once again, this is not as difficult as it may initially seem: all games are created to be user-friendly with easy-to-follow prompts to get online.
While the massive world of videogames may seem foreign and daunting for some parents, the truth is that it's only as complicated as you make it. If you can learn to appreciate games, it's something your child will appreciate in you!
How do you manage video game-playing in your household? Discuss this with other members in the Games forum.
