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Video Games: Pre-teens

As children get older, the time they spend playing video games often increases, taking the place of other activities, such as watching TV. It's easy to see why preteens find video games so appealing: Skill is required to use the controls; elaborate rules must be understood and mastered; and children this age have a growing interest in exploring the world and their place in it.

Many popular video games are rife with violence, unrealistic images of men's and women's bodies, and a lack of racial diversity among characters. Still, you can take steps to make your preteen's experience a positive one. Talk to him about the games he plays, helping him interpret what he sees and experiences and challenging ideas he may be adopting. Taking an interest in the games and Web sites that captivate your child will give you invaluable insight into his interests.

7 Ways to Make the Most of Electronic Games

1. Talk to your child about the games she likes to play.

   See what connections your preteen is making between herself and video game characters. Make sure she is aware of the real-life consequences of what she sees on screen. Ask why games are appealing: Is it the competitive aspect? Getting lost in a fantasy world? The ability to solve problems? Having a sense of power and performing superhuman feats? Or is it the popularity that a game has among friends?

2. Get to know the video games your child plays at home and with friends.

   Use guides, editorial and consumer reviews, parent recommendations and other resources to make informed choices about which games your child plays. After you and your child have read and talked about some reviews, such as those from the Entertainment Software Rating Board, rent or borrow a game to give it a trial run before you buy.

3. Watch out for negative images of women and other cultures.

   In addition to unrealistic and exposed female bodies, many video games direct violence toward female (as well as male) characters. Talk to your preteen about what he or she thinks of the game's female characters. Try to find out what your child is learning about other people and cultures from the characters. Speak out against any images or ideas you find objectionable.

4. Help your child set limits on his playing time.

   Researchers believe that young people become overweight when screen time takes the place of physical and social activities. Help your child learn to value physical activity, homework and time spent with friends and family above game playing.

5. Emphasize the social aspects of game play.

   Look for video games that allow multiple players to play as a team. Encourage your preteen to see the communal side of games by swapping playing tips with other players online or with friends. These steps can keep electronic games from becoming your child's solo retreat.

6. Teach your child how to detect product placement and other advertising.

   Marketers use video games to build brand exposure and to associate their products with what is cool. When you see a video character using or wearing name-brand merchandise, point it out. When a product appears in the background, explain to your child that it's there because a company paid the video-game maker to put it there.

7. Avoid games that show characters solving conflict by violent means.

   Steer clear of "first-person shooter" games—those in which your preteen takes on the identity of a violent character. When your child sees a character hitting, kicking or biting to solve a problem, point it out. Then ask your child to suggest another way the problem might have been resolved.

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