The 2008 Video and Computer Game Report Card

The economy is in trouble, but the retailers are valiantly putting up all the decorations.  People will and should be more careful how they spend this season.  Especially for children, spend your money wisely.  Make your gift be one that enriches their curiosity, triggers their imagination, fills a need-not just a want, and wires their brains in healthy, positive ways. 

Along with the report card this year, the Institute has put together a MediaWise Holiday List of award winning (Parent’s Choice and NAPPA) toys and games for the whole family that will give your child hours of alternatives to electronic screens.  Your online shopping supports the work of the Institute.

The National Institute on Media and the Family releases its 13th annual Video and Computer Game Report Card this week.  This report card attempts to hold a mirror up to the video game industry, retailers and parents, summarizing the latest research on how video games affect kids and includes a list of video games to avoid as well as ones that are fun and challenging for kids.  
The video game industry is hoping that it is recession proof.  Many video games are fun and creative – find and buy those that are.  Research the games before you go out to shop.  It’s so easy to impulse buy – it’s just a game, right?   Look at the ratings – they will tell you if the game has gory violence, sex, blood and gore, drugs, crude language, nudity and more…..sounds like just the present for kids at the holidays, right?  Say “no” to your kids if they want an “M” rated (for Mature) game.  Check out the “T” (Teen) rated games and make sure, the content is OK for your adolescent child.  Avoid first-person, shooter games – these often have violent content.

The Entertainment Software Rating Board has added new game summaries and designed an easier website to help parents find information about video game content.   Check out their website.

New international research conducted with teens from Japan and the United States found that over time, kids who play violent video games do become more aggressive.   So choose your gifts wisely this season.   Lots of families are enjoying playing video games together, make video games a healthy part of your family time. 

The folks here at the National Institute on Media and the Family wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Dr. Dave