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