Dr. Michael Osit
My previous column focused on how casual we have become toward privacy and communication with strangers due to social media and excessive screen time. Piggy-backing on how desensitized we, as a society, have become to what we share online and with whom we share it, the casualness and permissiveness extends to video games and kids.
I am sure you are aware of the rating system assigned to movies by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). To review:
- G is General Audiences-all ages admitted
- PG is Parental Guidance-some material may not be suitable for children
- PG13 is Parents Strongly Cautioned-some material may not be suitable for children under the age of 13
- R is Restricted-under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or adult
The MPAA established this movie rating system so that parents could make judgments about the appropriateness of exposing their children to specific movie content. Suffice to say, most parents use this guide very well, thereby protecting their children from sexual material, violence, and language, that they believe their children are not mature enough to understand and handle. The system works very well.
Read more by Dr. Michael Osit, here: https://theconnectionsnj.com/category/mind-the-mind/
Similarly, the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) also offers ratings for video games to assist parents in making judgments about the appropriateness of specific video games their children wish to play. The ESRB offers the following ratings:
- E-Everyone-may include minimal cartoon, fantasy, or mild violence & language
- E 10+Ages 10 and Older-may include more fantasy, violence, language and suggestive themes
- T-Ages 13 and Older-violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, blood, gambling, and strong language
- M 17+Ages 17 and Older-intense violence, blood & gore, sexual content and strong language
- A 18+-Adults Only-may include intense violence, graphic sexual content, gambling with real currency
Generally, most parents follow the heeded warnings of the motion picture industry ratings. Rarely does a parent allow their 10 or 11-year -old child to go to an “R” rated movie. Allowing them to view a PG-13 movie is more frequent, but most parents would prohibit their 4th or 5th grader from seeing a PG-13 movie.
Yet, when it comes to video games, parents seem to use a completely different criteria, or lack of criteria for their children. It may be permissiveness or apathy, or perhaps ignorance in what parents allow their young children to be exposed to and play. It is commonplace for children as young as 10 to 12 years old to own and play Grand Theft Auto (M 17+), Fortnite (T), League of Legends (T), Spider Man (T), or God of War (M 17+). These games commonly involve and expose the player to strip clubs, graphic violence, gore, blood, dismembering body parts, drinking alcohol, inappropriate language, implicit and explicit sexual themes, and nudity. If these descriptors were part of a movie, they would each carry an “R” rating by the MPAA.
Why are parents so much more casual about games with an ESRB rating of “T” or “M 17+ when the content is the equivalent, or worse, than a movie with an MPAA rating of “R?” The answer is complicated, but it is partly due to parents wanting, and allowing, their children to have “what’s in” and popular so that their child is not socially marginalized. Additionally, parents simply do not know or appreciate the intensity and explicitness of the messages and content in the video games they are buying their children. That being said, video games are fun, do have merits and socializing value and are not all inappropriate. Also, like violence on TV, there is no consistent research that indicates that violence or mature content are translated into behavior in children. However, it is like any privilege you give your child. As a parent you need to make a judgment as to their readiness and maturity to be able to responsibly handle what you are exposing them to.
The following guidelines should be utilized prior to purchase:
- Parents should visit ESRB.org for guidance on specific games
- Games should be screened
- Visit parent message boards, chat rooms, Facebook Moms groups and reviews of the game for advice and guidance
- Above all, know your child
Furthermore, if you do give your child a game and they subsequently display language, attitude or behavior change, take it away. It clearly means they are not ready.
Dr. Michael Osit is a Licensed Psychologist practicing in Warren, and author of The Train Keeps Leaving Without Me: A Guide to Happiness, Freedom, and Self Fulfillment (2016), and Generation Text: Raising Well Adjusted Kids In An Age Of Instant Everything (2008).