As a long time gaming fan myself, I remember playing Mortal Combat and Street Fighter growing up. I do not go around punching, kicking or ripping the spines out of people. My mother was down there on the floor with me as we explored the world of Zelda and Final Fantasy on the NES. I know using myself as an example does not prove or disprove that games are the cause for violence in children, but I can say that a healthy dose of common sense is needed when approaching this topic.
A child’s mind is still developing way into their teens. Raging hormones as well as low impulse control can be just a few of the factors in how they differentiate between fantasy and reality. I hate to beat a dead horse, but I was in my high school years when Columbine happened. I remember the fear and the finger pointing that went on afterwards. People wanted to blame Marilyn Manson, Eminem, video games, TV and so on. NEWS FLASH! None of those made those kids do what they did. Sure, they might have been factors but when it came down to the atrocities committed the blame rested fully in the parents’ laps.
Parental guidance isn’t just for movies, it’s for games too. Realizing that a video game is not a substitute for interaction is the first step many parents need to make. Having a hands-on approach to your child’s online life can help you garner a good view on what your child is playing. Watching for adverse effects of a game on your child can help you decide what kinds of games they should or shouldn’t be allowed access to.
The ESRB, Entertainment Software Rating Board, can take the guess work out of what might or might not be appropriate for your child. Taking a few minutes to read over the ESRB ratings and keeping in mind your child’s development can help put your mind at ease. On the front and back of every game you will find one of the 7 ESRB’s ratings and a short content descriptor.
Taken from ESRB.ORG:
- Alcohol Reference - Reference to and/or images of alcoholic beverages
- Animated Blood - Discolored and/or unrealistic depictions of blood
- Blood - Depictions of blood
- Blood and Gore - Depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts
- Cartoon Violence - Violent actions involving cartoon-like situations and characters. May include violence where a character is unharmed after the action has been inflicted
- Comic Mischief - Depictions or dialogue involving slapstick or suggestive humor
- Crude Humor - Depictions or dialogue involving vulgar antics, including “bathroom” humor
- Drug Reference - Reference to and/or images of illegal drugs
- Fantasy Violence - Violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life
- Intense Violence - Graphic and realistic-looking depictions of physical conflict. May involve extreme and/or realistic blood, gore, weapons and depictions of human injury and death
- Language - Mild to moderate use of profanity
- Lyrics - Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol or drug use in music
- Mature Humor - Depictions or dialogue involving "adult" humor, including sexual references
- Nudity - Graphic or prolonged depictions of nudity
- Partial Nudity - Brief and/or mild depictions of nudity
- Real Gambling - Player can gamble, including betting or wagering real cash or currency
- Sexual Content - Non-explicit depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including partial nudity
- Sexual Themes - References to sex or sexuality
- Sexual Violence - Depictions of rape or other violent sexual acts
- Simulated Gambling - Player can gamble without betting or wagering real cash or currency
- Strong Language - Explicit and/or frequent use of profanity
- Strong Lyrics - Explicit and/or frequent references to profanity, sex, violence, alcohol or drug use in music
- Strong Sexual Content - Explicit and/or frequent depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including nudity
- Suggestive Themes - Mild provocative references or materials
- Tobacco Reference - Reference to and/or images of tobacco products
- Use of Drugs - The consumption or use of illegal drugs
- Use of Alcohol - The consumption of alcoholic beverages
- Use of Tobacco - The consumption of tobacco products
- Violence - Scenes involving aggressive conflict. May contain bloodless dismemberment
- Violent References - References to violent acts
Take note, this is not the end all listing and description of everything you might find in a certain game. In the end, research and a healthy dose of supervision is the perfect way to raise a child in this increasingly digital age.