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What is the oldest video game? It might not be what you expect.
Before Fortnite, Call of Duty, and The Last of Us, other imaginative video games laid the groundwork for the major titles we have today.
- Video games are gaining popularity among young Americans, with a majority of children desiring video game-related presents.
- Experts suggest that parents become familiar with ESRB ratings to ensure suitable content for specific ages and to make use of parental controls on gaming platforms.
- Maintaining open dialogs with children about online safety, responsible gaming practices, and promoting kindness in online communities is essential.
An increasing number of young Americans are eager to start playing video games.
This holiday season, video game-related items are leading wish lists for 76% of U.S. children aged 10-17, according to a recent study by the Entertainment Software Association.
“Video games are an immensely popular leisure activity and source of entertainment globally,” stated ESA senior vice president Aubrey Quinn during an interview with USA TODAY.
Over 60% of Americans reported playing video games for at least one hour each week, as per the ESA survey, with 68% indicating they play to unwind, 67% for enjoyment, and 37% to keep their minds sharp.
“Gaming offers numerous advantages, such as enhancing eye-hand coordination and teamwork when playing with others or solving problems,” remarked Ron Kerbs, CEO of cybersecurity firm Kidas.
As more children engage in gaming and the digital landscape advances swiftly, technology and gaming specialists emphasize that parents should review or oversee several aspects if they haven’t done so yet.
What parents should evaluate
Parents should begin by examining the ESRB age ratings for video games their child shows interest in, Quinn advised.
“Not all games are suitable for young minds,” Quinn explained. “There are video games that were not intended for children. Their narratives can be much more mature.”
ESRB ratings will comprise details about the game and clarify the reasons for the assigned age rating. The rating will also provide information on interactive features such as potential in-game purchases or communication between users.
Quinn emphasized that parents must also ensure they review parental controls on their child’s gaming device or mobile platform.
The manufacturers of the leading consoles – Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft – all provide parental control capabilities that parents can establish to assist in managing and observing their child’s gaming configurations. Some developers like Epic Games, the creators behind Fortnite, also implement parental controls that work across various systems.
These configurations enable parents to restrict or limit access to games by rating, establish playtime limitations, and control their child’s communication with other gamers.
The video gaming industry “places a high priority on safeguarding their players, especially minors,” Quinn remarked. “The industry has had to progress and ensure their tools and resources are in sync with technological advancements.”
Fostering dialogue
Parents should engage their children in conversations regarding console settings and establish expectations,such as digital interactions and what actions to take. They may also wish to engage in the games alongside their offspring.
Establishing transparent family guidelines and ensuring the children comprehend the regulations regarding when it’s acceptable to engage with others, and who they may interact with, is crucial, Quinn stated.
She mentioned that parents ought to converse with their children, “not merely about that online stranger danger experience, but also discuss treating others with compassion and regard and not using anonymity to express unkind or malicious remarks or experiment with curse words they’ve encountered at school. It’s a reciprocal dialogue.”
Another worry parents might possess is gaming dependency, Kerbs indicated.
Children who find it challenging to cease playing and lose enthusiasm for other pursuits or aren’t obtaining sufficient rest may be facing a problem, he noted. Parents ought to ensure they are discussing with their children about appropriate actions and promoting a variety of pastimes.
Parenthood in 2024 – and soon, 2025 – is intricate, yet hopefully, it is worthwhile to engage in challenging discussions concerning video games and their beneficial prospects for younger participants, Quinn remarked.
Video game communities can be “remarkable, uplifting environments,” Quinn explained. “We hear narratives of individuals who face mobility difficulties or are neurodiverse or who are survivors of accidents and have discovered that video games still permit them to compete. They provide them with community and spaces where they might otherwise experience exclusion.”
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