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Anne Collier, I have a little boy, who will probably be growing up in the era of booming interactive media, and of course, video games. As a professional as well as a mother, what advice would you give me?
Asked by HoaiHood on Nov 26 2007 7:33:45 PM and supported by 18 members
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Answer

In a nutshell, I'd say know your child and know the content s/he's interested in. Of course, it's a fortunate child whose parent cares enough to do those things without overreacting to what's being said in the media. But that's the ideal. In other words, be informed. A large children's publishing company here recently released a survey showing that 60% of US kids 8-17 expect to 1) get a game they didn't want or a game for a console they don't have, or 2) not get any or all of the games they asked for. The newspaper that covered it suggested that parents know what games their kids want to play and what console they have (i.e., many adult gift givers don't know that a PS3 game won't work on Xbox 360). What's missing in the advice is knowing the games' ratings and whether a game's appropriate not just for the console but also for the child! Anyway, knowing a game's rating is essential; actually checking out a demo in a store or renting a copy and trying out the game (or watching your child do so) is ideal. MORE!

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