With summer on the horizon, many families are going to take video games with them, and there are also a ton of video games in hotels these days… But how do you know what is the “right game for the right child”?
Everyone knows the difference between a “PG” and an “R” movie rating for children, but parents may not understand the different ways that the ESRB breaks down video games… the ESRB (Entertainment Software Ratings Board) is a non-profit group, designed to be a resource for parents, especially when they shop this holiday season… video games again expected to be at the top of many lists…
Well, there is a cool NEW technology that debuted recently that provides info in seconds, and has especially interesting visuals to go with it.
Here’s a link to the new free app - http://www.esrb.org/mobile/
This application provides facts not reviews, and provides the information that went into why the game received the rating it did.
Would you believe that 90 percent – nine out of 10 times – when a game is purchased, a parent or guardian is present?
ESRB KEY STATS
Video games are fast becoming one of the most popular forms of entertainment media
today, with software sales reaching $10.5 billion in 2009
The average age of a gamer today is 34. Just like movies and TV shows, not all video
games are meant for children
FTC reports that an adult is involved in the purchase of a game 89% of the time, so it’s
clear that parents must be educated about making informed choices
Various national, state and local PSA and public education campaigns get the message
to parents that there are tools they may use to make informed, sensible choices about
video games for their children and families
ESRB ratings are on virtually every game package; age ratings on front and content
descriptors on back provide information with which to make an educated purchase
decision
Parents should learn about and utilize both parts of the ratings, and consider
them a significant part of their decision about whether to purchase or rent a game
The rating summaries on ESRB’s website are a great supplemental source of
information, providing detailed descriptions of the specific content in a game that a
parent may want to know about
Retailers display signage explaining the rating system to consumers, and store
associates are trained to assist parents who need help choosing games
Major retailers have store policies restricting the sale or rental of M-rated games to
those under 17 without parental permission
The FTC’s most recent audit measured compliance with these store policies among
national retailers at 80%, far surpassing the rates of restriction for DVDs, music and
admittance to R-rated movies
Parents should be involved in and informed about their children’s video gaming;
monitor gameplay and play games with their children; check the rating each time they
buy or rent a game
Parents should also take advantage of parental controls that are featured on all new
game consoles
All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
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