Video games, played appropriately can be a great addition to other activities you do as a family. Here are some key points to remember for parents:
- The PEGI ratings system helps you make informed decisions about which video games to choose for your family
- A PEGI rating gives the suggested minimum age that you must be to play a game due to the suitability of the content
- As parents you can take direct control of what games your children play at home, how they play them and for how long through parental controls on video game systems
- Choosing and playing video games as a family is the best way to understand and enjoy them together
- The stories, worlds and characters in video games offer playful ways to engage with a wide range of subjects and fuels creativity, interests and imagination
To take advantage of these benefits our safe and sensible gaming tips for parents are as follows:
- Engage: Find out what your children are playing and take an interest. Better still, join in the fun and play alongside them yourself!
- Lighten up: Games should be played in well-lit rooms to ensure you can see the screen well.
- Take breaks: Some games can be especially intense, so regular breaks are vital for healthy gameplay. Encourage your children to take regular breaks – at least five minutes every 45-60 minutes as a rule of thumb.
- Use parental controls: In addition to clear age rating symbols and descriptor icons, all of today’s consoles offer parental controls. parental controls can be used to restrict the amount of time spent playing games, limit internet access and they allow control of access to age-appropriate content.
