Exercising Parental Control

by Dr. Bill Maier

It's vital that parents take the time to find out what kind of entertainment is influencing their family. If you're going to allow video games in the home, be involved in the buying process. Below are a few helpful reminders when purchasing video games:

Always check ratings. Reading the ratings is a good start, but as seen with games such as Grand Theft Auto, the video-game industry rating system in not infallible when it comes to determining what content is appropriate for families. And despite the rating, sometimes there are "cheat codes" that players can hack into that could possibly alter the content. No matter what the rating on the package says, parents should research the material to ensure that the content is appropriate for their family.
Read expert reviews and consult other parents. Take the time to research games that your child wants to play. Read online reviews. Al Menconi Ministries offers video-game reviews at www.almenconi.com. Plugged In magazine by Focus on the Family offers one review of a popular video game per issue, or visit pluggedinonline.com. Videogametrouble.org has good advice for moms and dads concerned about video games. Exchange knowledge about games with other parents. This can help parents decide whether to pursue a game with their children, or avoid the game once they realize that the material is not suitable.
Rent or borrow video games before buying. Video games can be very expensive, and game consoles are even more costly. Before plunking down the money for a high-priced game, try borrowing the game from the library, renting it from a game-rental outlet, or even borrowing a game from a friend. Some stores sell previously owned games. Check return policies and trade-in possibilities before purchasing a game.
Set time limits and gaming rules for your family. Before gaming, set clear time limits and rules. Mom and Dad should decide what the time limits and rules will be. Remember to be consistent with enforcing those limits and rules. As the parent, you have the right to decide what games are allowed into your family's home. You might want to set parental controls if your gaming console or computer game has that option.
Try the game yourself or take time to watch your child play. Playing video games with your child, or at least watching your child play a game, gives you a firsthand knowledge of the content. Try renting a few multi-player games and letting the whole family get involved. Even just watching your child play can provide teachable moments. Your child will be more likely to talk about the game with you if you're aware of what the game is about.

Excerpted from Help! My Child is Hooked on Video Games, a Focus on the Family book published by Tyndale House Publishers. Copyright (c) 2006, Focus on the Family. All rights reserved. International copyright secured.