Children in America love to watch movies, listen to music, and play video games. But sometimes the things they choose to do for fun might not be good for them. How can a parent tell if the latest popular movie, video game, or album is good for their child?
The Coalition of Entertainment Retail Trade Associations (CERTA), an umbrella group for movie theatres, video and video game stores, and music stores, encourages parents to take a few simple steps to make sure their family's entertainment is appropriate:
First, try to find the advisory. There is a rating for every video game and most movies. A "content descriptor" is given with the rating to explain why the game or movie got the rating it did. Music with explicit content has a "parental advisory" sticker on the front of the album or says "explicit" in the online download catalogue. Use these warnings to make sure your child can handle the video game, movie, or song.
Second, spend time with your kids by watching movies, listening to music, and playing video games. (It might not always be easy or even appreciated, but it's important to try.) Talk with your kids. Make sure they know what the labels and ratings mean and what they can teach them.
Third, set limits that make sense. Like any other form of entertainment, music, movies, and video games shouldn't be allowed to get in the way of schoolwork, exercise, and other important things.
Those who are lucky enough to have an Xbox 360 video game console should also check out the parental controls. You can set the console so that games rated Mature or Adult Only won't work on it. (Parental controls will also be built into the soon-to-be-released PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Revolution.)
Entertainment can teach, amuse, challenge, and inspire. Movies, video games, and music are available for people of all ages and interests, but not every option is right for everyone. Parents can make sure that the decisions they make are good for their family by following these tips.
