Have the Screen Time Talk

Time for a family meeting! It’s easier to set limits if everyone is on the same page… even you, parents. Gather the whole gang and talk through how you interact with your devices, where you can cut down, and why. It may be challenging, but this is also a good time for you to gain a better understanding of how you interact with your devices. We’ve seen many parents discover that they, too, need to set some limits on device use. Walk the talk!

According to a study from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) in the UK, parents should “negotiate screen time limits with their children based on the needs of an individual child.” A teenager may need more screen time to do school work or socialize with friends over a game of Fortnite, whereas a younger child may benefit from a less screen-heavy schedule.  You know your children best, but the earlier you set ground rules the better.  And make sure that your children understand the consequences of breaking those rules.

If you’re looking to have an in-depth conversation about how your family interacts with video games visit the ESRB Parent Resources Center, including a Family Discussion Guide to help you lead a constructive conversation.

At the end of the day, as parents, we have more control than we often think we do.  Setting ground rules and them are part of our core responsibilities. Don’t be afraid to flex those parenting muscles.

Set Parental Controls

Virtually all video game devices, from home consoles, to handheld game devices, to computers, to phones and tablets, have built in parental controls that enables screen-time management. Certain time management options are more generalized, but many of the controls allow you to set specific time parameters for every day of the week, including for each child in the home. Once they’re set, the device will know to shut off when time has elapsed – meaning dinner time or bedtime can be conflict-free. Whatever parameters you set should be part of the conversation about establishing screen time rules with your child. Don’t activate parental controls without letting your kids know! 

Visit this page for a list of step-by-step parental control guides. And remember, screen time isn’t the only thing you can manage with parental controls, you can also limit which games your kids play based on the ESRB-assigned rating information, manage spending, select who your kids can play with, and more!

Stay Engaged 

According to a study from Cardiff University there’s very little evidence to suggest that screen time impacts child development. In fact, it’s been shown that children can benefit if parents remain engaged with their kids’ digital activities.

Additionally, sharing screen time can be a surprisingly effective family bonding experience. Whether it’s a friendly game of Mario Kart (loser does the dishes!) or watching an episode of television as a family, engaging in your kids’ screen time can strengthen your relationships and help you manage what they’re exposed to.  And when you’ve had enough screen time, you can always engage your child in good old-fashioned non-screen activities.

Continually Reassess 

Getting some rules in place will make everything a lot simpler, but it’s essential to continue to reassess what’s working and what’s not. 

As your children get older you may decide the rules need to be adjusted based on extracurricular activities, homework, grades, vacation schedules, etc.  Obviously, as your child enters his or her teenage years, it will become increasingly difficult to enforce those rules. And that’s OK. It’s all part of learning self-control and making good choices.  

Always remember to keep the lines of communication open and be conscious of your own behavior. After all, your personal screen-time habits set the ultimate example for your kids, so it helps to stay aware.

The post Ending the Tug-of-War Over Screen Time in the Home appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

Have the Screen Time Talk

Time for a family meeting! It’s easier to set limits if everyone is on the same page… even you, parents. Gather the whole gang and talk through how you interact with your devices, where you can cut down, and why. It may be challenging, but this is also a good time for you to gain a better understanding of how you interact with your devices. We’ve seen many parents discover that they, too, need to set some limits on device use. Walk the talk!

According to a study from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) in the UK, parents should “negotiate screen time limits with their children based on the needs of an individual child.” A teenager may need more screen time to do school work or socialize with friends over a game of Fortnite, whereas a younger child may benefit from a less screen-heavy schedule.  You know your children best, but the earlier you set ground rules the better.  And make sure that your children understand the consequences of breaking those rules.

If you’re looking to have an in-depth conversation about how your family interacts with video games visit the ESRB Parent Resources Center, including a Family Discussion Guide to help you lead a constructive conversation.

At the end of the day, as parents, we have more control than we often think we do.  Setting ground rules and them are part of our core responsibilities. Don’t be afraid to flex those parenting muscles.

Set Parental Controls

Virtually all video game devices, from home consoles, to handheld game devices, to computers, to phones and tablets, have built in parental controls that enables screen-time management. Certain time management options are more generalized, but many of the controls allow you to set specific time parameters for every day of the week, including for each child in the home. Once they’re set, the device will know to shut off when time has elapsed – meaning dinner time or bedtime can be conflict-free. Whatever parameters you set should be part of the conversation about establishing screen time rules with your child. Don’t activate parental controls without letting your kids know! 

Visit this page for a list of step-by-step parental control guides. And remember, screen time isn’t the only thing you can manage with parental controls, you can also limit which games your kids play based on the ESRB-assigned rating information, manage spending, select who your kids can play with, and more!

Stay Engaged 

According to a study from Cardiff University there’s very little evidence to suggest that screen time impacts child development. In fact, it’s been shown that children can benefit if parents remain engaged with their kids’ digital activities.

Additionally, sharing screen time can be a surprisingly effective family bonding experience. Whether it’s a friendly game of Mario Kart (loser does the dishes!) or watching an episode of television as a family, engaging in your kids’ screen time can strengthen your relationships and help you manage what they’re exposed to.  And when you’ve had enough screen time, you can always engage your child in good old-fashioned non-screen activities.

Continually Reassess 

Getting some rules in place will make everything a lot simpler, but it’s essential to continue to reassess what’s working and what’s not. 

As your children get older you may decide the rules need to be adjusted based on extracurricular activities, homework, grades, vacation schedules, etc.  Obviously, as your child enters his or her teenage years, it will become increasingly difficult to enforce those rules. And that’s OK. It’s all part of learning self-control and making good choices.  

Always remember to keep the lines of communication open and be conscious of your own behavior. After all, your personal screen-time habits set the ultimate example for your kids, so it helps to stay aware.

The post Ending the Tug-of-War Over Screen Time in the Home appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

Be a gift-giving hero this holiday, by learning how to #TakeControl before the wrapping paper is carted away. Fortunately, all devices offer parental controls that make it easy to keep games age-appropriate, fun, and safe.

How to #TakeControl, Regardless of Age

Whether you have toddlers, teens, or a combination, there are tools you can use to #TakeControl no matter the age.

Start by checking the ESRB rating information on the game box or website. You can also review the game’s “rating summary” on esrb.org or the ESRB mobile app, which provides even greater detail. If you’re still unsure, you can watch gameplay videos on YouTube, or find reviews on game enthusiast websites. Most importantly, don’t ever feel forced to buy a game with an age rating that seems inappropriate for your child. There are plenty of great age-appropriate games out there!

Next, set parental controls for all devices your kids use to play games. Parental controls offer tons of options to manage your kids’ interactive experiences—from restricting games based on the ESRB age rating, to limiting screen time, to setting spending limits for in-game purchases—there are great options for every age. ESRB has easy to follow step-by-step Parental Control Guides on this page.

Having an conversation is a great way to stay aware of what your kids are playing and how their interests evolve. These talks will also help you discuss any “house rules” you’d like to set.

Of course, how you #TakeControl will change as your kids get older, starting with:

Preschoolers

Preschoolers most often play mobile games/apps on their parents’ devices. It’s relatively easy at this age since you control access, but it’s still a good idea to set controls that only allow age-appropriate games.

While you’re at it, make sure you block in-game purchases. You don’t want to end up in one of those horror stories about a child accidentally racking up thousands of dollars while innocently tapping away. 

Lastly, disable any in-app communications to ensure that your children don’t end up accidentally communicating with strangers. 

Elementary through Middle School 

Regulating content can get a little trickier at this age. For example, a game that another parent might approve for their 10-year-old may be off-limits for your kids, or vice-versa. Some 11-year-olds may be fine with T (Teen)-rated games. Meanwhile, others are more comfortable with games rated E (Everyone) or E10+ (Everyone 10 and up). It’s up to you to make those decisions for your kids.  ESRB ratings also include notices about the nature of the game’s content and its interactive features. 

This is also the age where playing games can become a group activity. With the popularity of games like Fortnight and Minecraft, school age children will want to play with their friends, but these games can also connect your kids with strangers. Thankfully, parental controls give you the ability to limit (or block) chat features or approve friends. 

In-game purchases can still be a pitfall at this age, so it’s a good idea to keep managing those. Most parental controls let you set an “allowance” for in-game purchases, giving your children some freedom to make their own purchases within certain limits.

Screen time may become a bigger deal as your kids enter middle school. Thankfully, you can #TakeControl and set daily time limits on most devices and consoles. Many of these controls will let you set different limits for different days so as not to conflict with homework or other activities.

Teenagers 

Most teens are likely to want to play M (Mature)-rated games, and some may be perfectly fine by you, while others may be off-limits until they’re a little older. Ultimately, it’s your call so the more information you have from ratings and other online resources, the better.

At this age, they will definitely be playing online, so remember to talk with your kids about how they should behave online and what they should do if other players are abusive. Some parents may want to consider requiring their kid to play without a headset so they can overhear the in-game banter. And of course, at any age but especially with your teenagers, make sure your kids know not to give out any personal information to strangers. 

Regardless of your child’s age, there are easy ways to #TakeControl of their video game experiences. That said, there’s no better way to connect with your child by taking a break and playing a game with them.

The post #TakeControl of Your Kids’ Video Games This Holiday Season appeared first on ESRB Ratings.