Online video games are becoming more popular and more and more kids are getting in on the action. As a parent, you need to know if the online games your kids have access to will be suitable for their age group. Games found online are nothing like the video games you played as a child. Many of them contain violence along with graphic and adult content that is not suitable for children.
Before allowing your children to play a video game online, it is recommended that you follow the steps below. This way, you can rest easy knowing that the games they are playing are not something inappropriate for them.
Tips for choosing video games for your children:
1. Before you buy or let your kids play a video game online, check the ESRB rating. The rating symbol will be an indicator of the age group for which the game is designed. However, you still have to make the final decision regardless of the grade.
2. Read the description of the game content. This can provide vital information that can give you a better idea of what type of game it is and what to expect.
3. For online games, you need to check the in-game features. Some of them have live chat and other features that you don’t want your kids to use. Most games allow you to disable these features through parental controls.
4. Learn everything you can about how video games work. For example, some games will allow you to download “mods” that will change the content, which in turn can change the rating. If you are not aware of these changes, your children may be viewing content that you believe is inappropriate.
5. Play the game first to find out for yourself if it’s something you want your kids to play. There’s no better way to find out exactly what’s in a video game than to play it yourself. In this way, you will not have any doubts at all.
It is very important that you learn how to use parental controls and be consistent with them. Don’t use them sometimes and leave them out other times. Using these features is a great way to ensure that your children are not subjected to video games that you feel are inappropriate for them.
It is also recommended that you consider your child’s personality, age, and abilities when deciding which video games are appropriate and which are not. Only you can make that decision and it is your responsibility.