| Children spend at least 13 to 30 hours a week | | | | - Feel free to contact the manufacturer and |
| gaming. Most computer games are violent and | | | | voice your opinion. |
| aggressive and do little to inculcate moral | | | | |
| values. Studies indicate that gaming results | | | | - Study in detail the plus and minus points |
| in aggressiveness and violent responses in | | | | of computer usage. |
| children. And, children are less concerned | | | | |
| and helpful towards their peers and families. | | | | - Interact with your child at all levels. |
| They become socially stunted. | | | | |
| | | | - Be a cautious buyer -question claims of |
| The onus of minimizing the effects and | | | | advancing brain development. |
| ensuring that children receive a rounded | | | | |
| upbringing falls on parents. It is important | | | | - Introduce a variable routine for your |
| to introduce character building activities | | | | child. Outdoor activities interwoven with |
| and to censor games, ensuring suitability. | | | | computer related activities. |
| | | | |
| - Study guidelines established by the | | | | - Focus on social and emotional development. |
| Entertainment Software Board. They indicate | | | | The child must be confident, curious, and |
| suitability for different age groups. Read | | | | forthright; display self control; be able to |
| the content label which will summarize the | | | | relate linearly, be caring and cooperative, |
| game, this will serve as an appropriateness | | | | and be communicative. |
| guideline. | | | | |
| | | | - Choose games that are fun and have a degree |
| - Know your child. If you find any signs of | | | | of effective learning. |
| being unsettled withdraw games that cause | | | | |
| this change in behavior. Introduce games that | | | | - Introduce games that require two or more |
| titillate the imagination and make use of the | | | | players-this fosters social interaction. |
| mind. Avoid violence and aggression. | | | | |
| | | | - Playing games should be a privilege not a |
| - Visit this provides game ratings as well | | | | right. Emphasize that parental approval is a |
| as reviews. | | | | must. |
| | | | |
| - Rent a game and play it yourself. First | | | | - Use games to maximize your child's |
| hand knowledge will serve you well. | | | | interests. If the child is mechanical minded |
| | | | purchase games that encourage this talent. |
| - Communicate with other parents. You will | | | | |
| glean the trends, know the popularity. | | | | - Choose games that require decisions and |
| | | | strategies. Games should be more than shoot, |
| - Play the games with your child. Know their | | | | blow up, destroy, and kill. Avoid killer |
| reactions and learn their responses. | | | | machine games. |
| | | | |
| - Establish an open relationship where your | | | | - Explain why a game is not to be played. |
| child becomes comfortable even talking about | | | | Never just take away a game. A child needs to |
| what is inappropriate or disturbing. | | | | understand why you are against playing |
| Establish gently what is right and wrong. | | | | certain games. |
| Bullying does not help. | | | | |
| | | | Gaming is a part of life. It introduces |
| - Set up the computer and gaming console in a | | | | computer technology, problem solving, and |
| family room. All games will then be out in | | | | logic. It improves motor as well as spatial |
| the open. You will be in a position to judge | | | | skills. Games are not just entertaining, they |
| and monitor. | | | | can be therapeutic too. Choose wisely and |
| | | | guide your child. |