If It Ain’t Broke…

Don’t fix it. Most parents tell us that screen time is their biggest challenge when it comes to video games and their kids. Fortunately, 86% of parents set at least one parental control setting on their kids’ video game devices, and the most frequently used setting is to manage screen time. This doesn’t have to change just because it’s the summer.

If you want, most of these rules and settings can stay in place. That means video games (or all screens!) are off during “school hours” when you may want your kids to be engaged in other activities like camp, playing outside, going swimming, riding their bike, reading a book and/or hanging out with friends, and you can keep any time parameters established by your family’s household rules and/or parental controls during the evening.

Start a Conversation

The best way to re-engage managing screen time for your kids is to start (or continue) an ongoing conversation around video games. Before even discussing parameters and limits, invite your kids to tell you what they love about games, which ones are their favorites, and why. This accomplishes two things:

1. It shows your kids that you respect their favorite hobby. You’re not looking to take something away. Rather, you’re trying to understand how they benefit from games and make it part of their life in a way that makes sense. There are so many positive elements kids can take away from playing games, and it’ll be helpful for you to understand which ones your kids enjoy most.
2. It gives you the opportunity to explain why there need to be screen time limits. Video games are fun and offer a lot beyond entertainment value. But – like all things – games should be part of an environment that also includes education, family time, in-person play, and more.

In terms of benefits, you may hear several from your kids and it’s helpful to have some background. One of our previous blogs, written by Dr. Rachel Kowert, highlights that kids who play video games can see enhanced creativity and happiness, as well as a reduction in depression and anxiety. There’s also a lot of “unintentional” learning, meaning new information and skills, that can occur simply by playing a game.

86% of parents set at least one parental control setting on their kids’ video game devices.

Social connection is another huge benefit for kids that play video games. A recent survey from Pew Research found that 72% of teens who play video games (aged 13-17) do so specifically to spend time with others, including with members of their family near or far.

This conversation will allow you to gain a holistic understanding of your kids’ video game experiences and reach a more mutually agreeable set of rules for the summer. Of course, you may want to preserve some wiggle room; after all, your kids deserve some downtime during their break from school to enjoy their favorite pastimes. Ultimately, it’s up to you as a parent to determine what works best for your family.

If you’re looking for some tips to help you set or modify your household rules, visit ESRB’s Family Gaming Guide.

Backing Up Your Rules

Household rules may not be made to be broken, but it happens sometimes… doesn’t it? Parents have told us that they trust their children to follow household rules, but it never hurts to have a little backup. This is where parental controls come into play.

Virtually every device that can play video games offers parental controls settings. This includes the ability to manage when your kids can play, and for how long. Some devices – like the Nintendo Switch – even has the option for you to set a schedule time parameters for every day of the week though the mobile app.

Same games, like Fortnite and Roblox even have in-game parental controls to add another layer of management.

If you have screen time controls activated your kids will receive an on-screen alert when game time is running low. This will let them know that it’s time to save their game, say goodbye to friends, and prepare to sign off. Some devices allow kids to ask for some more time. The request often goes directly to your mobile device or email – which you can accept or deny remotely. Once time is up the console or device will power down and remain unplayable until the next block of scheduled time.

In addition to setting screen time schedules, you can set parental controls to block games based on the ESRB-assigned age rating, manage online communication with other players, and limit (or block!) the amount of money your kids can spend on new games or in-game purchases. Visit PrentalTools.org for step-by-step parental controls guides that can walk you through the setup process. And remember, all of these are password or PIN protected, so make sure this is something your kids can’t guess!

Staying Involved

No matter what your household rules are, the best thing you can do to manage your kids’ video game experiences is to stay involved. Keeping the lines of communication open and honest is a great way to stay on top of your kids’ changing tastes in games and what they’re getting out of them. It doesn’t need to be a daily check in, but it can make for some fun dinner conversation as your kids walk you through their newest interactive adventure.

And who knows, maybe they’ll inspire you to join them for a video game session and make it a family activity.

Patricia E. Vance is the president of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). In her position, she leads the teams responsible for assigning age and content ratings to video games and apps, enforcing marketing guidelines adopted by the video game industry, and operating ESRB Privacy Certified, an FTC-sanctioned COPPA Safe Harbor Privacy seal certification program.

The post Managing Screen Time Over Summer Break appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

If It Ain’t Broke…

Don’t fix it. Most parents tell us that screen time is their biggest challenge when it comes to video games and their kids. Fortunately, 86% of parents set at least one parental control setting on their kids’ video game devices, and the most frequently used setting is to manage screen time. This doesn’t have to change just because it’s the summer.

If you want, most of these rules and settings can stay in place. That means video games (or all screens!) are off during “school hours” when you may want your kids to be engaged in other activities like camp, playing outside, going swimming, riding their bike, reading a book and/or hanging out with friends, and you can keep any time parameters established by your family’s household rules and/or parental controls during the evening.

Start a Conversation

The best way to re-engage managing screen time for your kids is to start (or continue) an ongoing conversation around video games. Before even discussing parameters and limits, invite your kids to tell you what they love about games, which ones are their favorites, and why. This accomplishes two things:

1. It shows your kids that you respect their favorite hobby. You’re not looking to take something away. Rather, you’re trying to understand how they benefit from games and make it part of their life in a way that makes sense. There are so many positive elements kids can take away from playing games, and it’ll be helpful for you to understand which ones your kids enjoy most.
2. It gives you the opportunity to explain why there need to be screen time limits. Video games are fun and offer a lot beyond entertainment value. But – like all things – games should be part of an environment that also includes education, family time, in-person play, and more.

In terms of benefits, you may hear several from your kids and it’s helpful to have some background. One of our previous blogs, written by Dr. Rachel Kowert, highlights that kids who play video games can see enhanced creativity and happiness, as well as a reduction in depression and anxiety. There’s also a lot of “unintentional” learning, meaning new information and skills, that can occur simply by playing a game.

86% of parents set at least one parental control setting on their kids’ video game devices.

Social connection is another huge benefit for kids that play video games. A recent survey from Pew Research found that 72% of teens who play video games (aged 13-17) do so specifically to spend time with others, including with members of their family near or far.

This conversation will allow you to gain a holistic understanding of your kids’ video game experiences and reach a more mutually agreeable set of rules for the summer. Of course, you may want to preserve some wiggle room; after all, your kids deserve some downtime during their break from school to enjoy their favorite pastimes. Ultimately, it’s up to you as a parent to determine what works best for your family.

If you’re looking for some tips to help you set or modify your household rules, visit ESRB’s Family Gaming Guide.

Backing Up Your Rules

Household rules may not be made to be broken, but it happens sometimes… doesn’t it? Parents have told us that they trust their children to follow household rules, but it never hurts to have a little backup. This is where parental controls come into play.

Virtually every device that can play video games offers parental controls settings. This includes the ability to manage when your kids can play, and for how long. Some devices – like the Nintendo Switch – even has the option for you to set a schedule time parameters for every day of the week though the mobile app.

Same games, like Fortnite and Roblox even have in-game parental controls to add another layer of management.

If you have screen time controls activated your kids will receive an on-screen alert when game time is running low. This will let them know that it’s time to save their game, say goodbye to friends, and prepare to sign off. Some devices allow kids to ask for some more time. The request often goes directly to your mobile device or email – which you can accept or deny remotely. Once time is up the console or device will power down and remain unplayable until the next block of scheduled time.

In addition to setting screen time schedules, you can set parental controls to block games based on the ESRB-assigned age rating, manage online communication with other players, and limit (or block!) the amount of money your kids can spend on new games or in-game purchases. Visit PrentalTools.org for step-by-step parental controls guides that can walk you through the setup process. And remember, all of these are password or PIN protected, so make sure this is something your kids can’t guess!

Staying Involved

No matter what your household rules are, the best thing you can do to manage your kids’ video game experiences is to stay involved. Keeping the lines of communication open and honest is a great way to stay on top of your kids’ changing tastes in games and what they’re getting out of them. It doesn’t need to be a daily check in, but it can make for some fun dinner conversation as your kids walk you through their newest interactive adventure.

And who knows, maybe they’ll inspire you to join them for a video game session and make it a family activity.

Patricia E. Vance is the president of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). In her position, she leads the teams responsible for assigning age and content ratings to video games and apps, enforcing marketing guidelines adopted by the video game industry, and operating ESRB Privacy Certified, an FTC-sanctioned COPPA Safe Harbor Privacy seal certification program.

The post Managing Screen Time Over Summer Break appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

Microsoft’s Xbox Series X|S

Microsoft offers not one, but two consoles: The Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S. They both play the same games but there are a few notable differences that may help you decide which is a better fit for your children.

• Xbox Series X – The Xbox Series X is the fastest and most powerful Xbox ever. The Series X loads the latest high-res games with speed. Additionally, the Series X can play games via disks or download.
  • The Xbox Series X starts at $499
• Xbox Series S – Xbox Series S is similar to the Series X, although it has 1440p resolution as opposed to the Series X’s 4K. While it can play all the same games, it’s important to note that the Xbox Series S is an all-digital console, which means it does not play disc-based games, only downloads.
  • The Xbox Series S starts at $299

As mentioned, you can play the same games on both consoles, as well as many games from the original Xbox, the Xbox 360, and the Xbox One. That’s about 20 years of video games to choose from! Some Xbox games that may be on your children’s list, with their ESRB age rating noted, include:

• Forza Motorsport – Everyone
• Sonic Superstars – Everyone
• Hi-Fi RUSH – Teen
• Minecraft Legends – Everyone 10+
• Minecraft – Everyone 10+

A few of the exclusive game franchises you’ll find on the Xbox and/or Windows PC and nowhere else include Halo (Teen to Mature 17+), Starfield (Mature 17+), Age of Empires (Teen), Microsoft Flight Simulator (Everyone), and more. Additionally, Xbox users can subscribe to Xbox Game Pass (also available for PC) ) starting at $9.99/mo. for one console or PC, or $16.99/mo. for both console and PC, which provides hundreds of games at any given time..

Xbox parental controls can be set on the device, through the Xbox Family Settings app (Android and iOS), or the Microsoft Family website:

• Content & Age limits:  Set age level for ESRB rating for games on Xbox consoles for each child (via app, console, and website)
• Screen time limits:  Create screen time schedules for each child. Customize each day of the week with different ranges and what fits best for your household schedule (via app and website)
• Manage Friends:  See each friend your child is following, allow them to ‘Ask a parent’ to add a friend, or you can remove friends who your child is following. (Via app and console)
• Manage Spending:  Add money to your child’s account and enable the ‘Ask to Buy’ feature when they want to purchase a game, app, or in-game purchase. View your child’s account balance and spending history (via console and website)

Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch system can play games both on the TV at home and on a handheld anywhere. There are currently three variations of the Nintendo Switch console.

• Nintendo Switch – This is the standard Nintendo Switch, giving your kids the ability to play their games both on the TV using a “dock” and in handheld mode with the system’s built-in screen.
  • The Nintendo Switch starts at $299
• Nintendo Switch – OLED Model – While it’s largely the same as the original Nintendo Switch, it boasts a larger OLED (organic light-emitting diode) screen. This sounds complicated, but what it really means is that the colors are more vivid, with crisp contrast when you play on-the-go. It also has some other improvements (enhanced kickstand for tabletop play and a new dock with integrated LAN port, etc.), but the new screen is certainly the main draw here.
  • The Nintendo Switch – OLED Model starts at $349
• Nintendo Switch Lite – This is a handheld-only console. While it still plays nearly all the same games you’ll find on the original Nintendo Switch and the OLED Model, you cannot connect it to your TV.
  • The Nintendo Switch Lite starts at $199

Some Switch games that may interest your kids are:

• Super Mario RPG – Everyone
• Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Everyone
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Everyone 10+
• Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet – Everyone
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Everyone

A few of the exclusive game franchises you’ll find on the Switch and/or other Nintendo devices and nowhere else include The Legend of Zelda (Everyone to Teen), Super Mario (Everyone to Everyone 10+), Super Smash Bros. (Everyone 10+ to Teen), Pokémon (Everyone to Everyone 10+), and more.  Additionally, Nintendo users can subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online for as little as $3.99/mo. and have access to over one hundred classics from Nintendo’s back catalogue.

Parental controls can be set on the device itself, through the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app (Android and iOS), and your Nintendo Account allowing you to manage:

• Which games your kids can play based on the ESRB age rating (via console and app)
• When and for how long (via app)
• Whether communication can occur
• If they can spend money on in-game purchases (via Nintendo Account)

PlayStation 5

Sony’s newest console – the PlayStation 5 – offers a leap in power from its predecessor. There are two slightly different options available if the PlayStation 5 is on your kids’ wish list for this year.

• PlayStation 5 (2023 refresh) – This console, released with an updated design in November 2023, plays all the new games, as well as PlayStation 4 games, via either disks or digital download. Note that the older model may still available in some stores for the same price, but will be phased out in favor of this newer, slimmer design.
  • The PlayStation 5 starts at $499
• PlayStation 5 Digital Edition (2023 refresh) – The hardware capabilities are identical to the standard PlayStation 5 – meaning all the games will look and play the same as the console with a disk drive. The core difference is that this is a download only console, so you and your family will have to download games online via the PlayStation Store. That said, the refreshed model, launched in November 2023, has the ability to add a disk drive at a later date if you change your mind. This disk drive can be purchased separately for $79.99.
  • The PlayStation 5 Digital Edition starts at $449

Both consoles also play an overwhelming majority of the back catalogue of games from the PlayStation 4.  Some PlayStation games that may catch your kids’ eyes are:

• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – Teen
• Hogwarts Legacy – Teen
• HOT WHEELS UNLEASHED 2 – Turbocharged – Everyone
• Horizon Forbidden West – Teen
• Sackboy: A Big Adventure – Everyone

A few of the exclusive game franchises you’ll find on the PlayStation and (in some cases) on PC and nowhere else include Gran Turismo (Everyone), Ratchet & Clank (Everyone 10+ to Teen), The Last of Us (Mature 17+), Final Fantasy XVI (Mature), Uncharted (Teen), God of War (Mature 17+), and more. PlayStation users can also subscribe to PlayStation Plus, a tiered subscription service. You can choose from PlayStation Plus Essential (starts at $9.99/mo.), PlayStation Plus Extra (starts at 14.99/mo.), and PlayStation Plus Premium (starts at 17.99/mo.). Each tier has its own perks, with the highest tier including hundreds of video games to choose from.

PlayStation parental controls can be set on the device itself or through a browser-based portal on a computer or mobile device to manage:

• Which games your kids can play based on the ESRB age rating
• When and for how long
• With whom
• How much money (if any!) they can spend on in-game purchases

More Tips

Shopping for video game consoles is just the first step! There are dozens of great video game options for every family, but here are a few more tips for the holidays season, especially as the shopping competition heats up.

• Check the Ratings – Make sure you always check the ratings before you buy to make sure a video game is appropriate for your family. You can find ratings on:
  • ESRB.org
  • On the front and back of video game boxes in stores
  • On many retail websites (such as Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, Target, and Walmart)
  • On product detail pages on digital storefronts
  • In advertisements
  • Via the ESRB Rating Search App for iOS and Android.
• Update The Console – If you have time, it’s helpful to update the firmware for a console before you give it to your kids! Just like your phone, consoles receive regular updates that add new functionality, address bugs, update features, and more. While it’s very simple to do, it may not be the most fun first experience for your kids to wait for their new console to update before diving into a game. If there’s time, open the console, connect it to your internet (Wi-Fi or wired) and follow the prompts to update the console. This may also be a good opportunity to create child accounts for your children and activate parental controls. You can find more information about that below.
• Set Parental Controls – As mentioned above, every video game device has parental controls built in to help you manage what your kids play (based on the ESRB age rating), when they can play, for how long, with whom, and whether they can spend money on in-game purchases and new game downloads. However, each console’s settings have their own unique options and features, so be sure to explore how your new console can help you keep video games a positive experience for your family. If there’s time, hook up the console and set parental controls before you give your kids the new console. This way everything is set as soon as they unwrap their gifts. Visit ParentalTools.org for step-by-step parental controls guides.

Make sure you always check the ratings before you buy to make sure a video game is appropriate for your family.

• Visit the Family Gaming Guide – Our user-friendly guide has tips to help you manage your kids’ video game experiences. The Family Gaming Guide explores picking appropriate games, managing screen time, establishing household rules, keeping your kids’ personal information safe, and more! Check out the guide to maintain some peace of him around your kids’ video game experiences.
• Review the Online Safety Principles that Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox share to  help ensure  the safety of their players, especially those most vulnerable.  Those principles include:
  • Prevention: Empower players and parents to understand and control gaming experiences
  • Partnership: Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox commit to partnering with industry, regulators, law enforcement, and their communities to advance user safety
  • Responsibility: Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox hold themselves accountable for making their platforms as safe as possible for all players.

Patricia E. Vance is the president of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). In her position, she leads the teams responsible for assigning age and content ratings to video games and apps, enforcing marketing guidelines adopted by the video game industry, and operating ESRB Privacy Certified, an FTC-sanctioned COPPA Safe Harbor Privacy seal certification program.

The post What Parents Need to Know About Shopping for Video Game Consoles appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

How Do I Know If a Game Has In-Game Purchases?

First step, check the ESRB-assigned rating information. Games rated by the ESRB have three parts:

• Rating Categories suggest age appropriateness.
• Content Descriptors indicate content that may have triggered a particular rating.
•  Interactive Elements highlight interactive or online features of a product, including if purchases of digital goods or services are offered in-game or users can interact with each other.

When it comes to making purchases with real world money, we have two Interactive Elements to look out for:

• In-Game Purchases lets you know when a game contains in-game offers to purchase digital goods or premiums
• In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) lets you know when a game contains in-game offers to purchase digital goods or premiums with an element of randomization (meaning the player may not know exactly what they’re getting)

When checking a game’s rating, you can find the In-Game Purchases or In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) Interactive Elements when searching by game title on ESRB.org’s rating search or the ESRB rating search app, and displayed on the back of video game boxes or, for digitally delivered games, on a game’s product detail page:

Note that we started assigning the In-Game Purchases Interactive Element in 2018, and In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) was introduced in February 2020. Games rated prior to these dates will likely not display these notices, even if they do offer in-game purchases. If you’re not sure, we recommend that you do a quick search online to find out if the game in question offers in-game purchases of any kind, especially if it is a mobile or online game.  Most app and online stores provide upfront notice when there are in-game or in-app purchases.

What Can Be Purchased In-Game?

In-game purchases typically augment or personalize the content of a game. Regardless of the type of in-game purchases, it’s important to remember that they are never mandatory. Here are the key types of in-game purchases that are often offered to players:

In-Game Currency
Some games offer the ability to purchase in-game currencies that can be exchanged for content. For instance, your children may ask to purchase 1,000 “Crystals” for $10, which can then be used to buy other virtual in-game items. In many cases, you can purchase a quantity of these currencies through an online store connected to the game. However, in other cases you can also earn in-game currency just by playing.

Pay-to-Continue
Some free-to-play or free-to-start games – typically available on mobile devices – offer the ability to purchase “lives” with in-game or real currency. Most of the time lives will recharge over a period of time, but by purchasing lives players can keep playing without having to wait.

Pay-to-Win
Some games offer the ability to purchase specific items or power ups to make progress easier. Games can even offer the ability to pay to skip levels for those struggling. Of course, the player can still progress through the game without making a purchase, but it could require significantly more time.

Cosmetic Items
Lots of games allow players to create their own unique character and customize them with in-game items that reflect the player’s personality. While many games include these options, some offer the ability to purchase specific items with in-game or real-world currency. These items – which generally do not influence gameplay and are simply a visual alteration – are often referred to as “cosmetics.”

Expansions
“Expansions” vary in size and cost, but tend to be bigger chunks of new gameplay, mechanics, and/or items that extend the lifespan of a game. These usually cost less than the initial price of the game and can add just a few hours of additional gameplay, or dozens of hours of content depending upon the game.

Season Passes
When you buy a season pass for your favorite football team (in real life) you’re getting seats for every home game of the season. Buying a “season pass” for a game is similar, only instead of a seat, you’re paying for a “season” (which depending upon the game can last for weeks or months) of additional content that will gradually be released over time.

Playable Characters
Some games offer the ability to purchase new playable characters to download after the game’s initial release. Sometimes you can purchase a season pass (see above) to get all of them, while other times you can buy them individually or in “character packs.”

Loot Boxes
“Loot boxes” are like locked treasure chests that contain an array of random virtual items that can be used in the game once unlocked. “Loot box” is a catch-all term that can refer to a number of similar randomized purchases, such as item packs, card packs, prize wheels, treasure chests, etc. Many games may have different branded or in-game names for these concepts, but the core premise is the same. In some games, loot boxes can be earned through gameplay and/or can be purchased using either real money or in-game currency. In most cases, you can’t see the items, characters, weapons, etc. before you make the purchase.

Gacha
“Gacha” mechanics are designed around Japanese “Gachapon”, which are vending machine capsules. Think of it like the machines you may have found in a local arcade or at a movie theater where you put in a quarter, spin a knob, and out pops a little toy. In games it is similar, though the player will “insert” digital currency for items of varying rarity. This could take the form of new playable/usable characters, more in-game currency, power ups, in-game items, etc. These are very similar in design to loot boxes, and the terminology is somewhat interchangeable. In most gacha games players can gain in-game currency through both regular play and/or additional purchases with real money.

How Can I Tell If a Loot Box Will Have an Item that I May Want?

No two loot boxes are the same, and games often implement loot boxes differently depending upon the overall gameplay loop. Some games list which loot boxes guarantee better (rarer) items. Meanwhile, other games may identify the relative rarity of individual items using standard terms (such as Common, Epic, Rare, Legendary), a color code and/or symbols like stars.

Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony along with Apple and Google, all require that game publishers on their respective platforms publicly disclose “drop rates” for loot boxes. Drop rates outline the probability that a player will receive items of an in-game rarity.

Understanding “drop rates,” is simpler than it appears at first blush. The higher the “drop rate” or percentage displayed, the higher the probability that you will get a rare item from a loot box. For example, a drop rate of 25% for an “Epic” item means that the player has a 25% chance of getting an “Epic” item (or better). A drop rate of 100% for a “Rare” item means that you will always get a “Rare” item (or better).

It’s worth remembering that more often than not drop rates do not detail every possible item. They will list the chances for different tiers.

How Can I Manage How Much My Child Can Spend?

If you’re looking for peace of mind, you can take advantage of the parental controls available on virtually every game device to manage in-game spending.

Many devices, including the Xbox Series X|S, and the PlayStation 5, smartphones, and PCs have the ability to set spending limits, which I like to think of as an allowance. Other devices, like the Nintendo Switch, enable you to block purchases entirely, or require parental approval for every purchase. Some popular games, like Fortnite offer special child accounts and/or parental controls in-game to restrict or block spending in only that game.

Make sure you visit ParentalTools.org to find instructions for setting up parental controls.

What Else Do I Need to Know About In-Game Purchases?

Remember that parental controls can help you manage more than just spending. You can also manage which games your kids can play based on the assigned ESRB rating, set play time limits, manage communication with other players, and more.

Before you activate parental controls, we highly recommend that you meet as a whole family to establish some house rules that everyone can follow (that means you too, parents). 92% of parents have some kind of rules around in-game purchases for the young gamers in their household.

Tips on setting household rules, managing online play, protecting your kids’ privacy, and more visit the ESRB Family Gaming Guide.

The post What Parents Need to Know About Loot Boxes (and Other In-Game Purchases) appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

If you’re at all familiar with video games you’ve almost definitely heard about Fortnite, especially if you have kids. From game consoles and computers to smartphones and tablets, Fortnite’s fun gameplay and accessibility quickly cemented its popularity among gamers of all ages. Over the years Fortnite has continued to evolve, becoming a fully cultural phenomenon incorporating popular brands, celebrities, film screenings, concerts, fashion shows and more. As a parent, you may be wondering what you need to know about Fortnite, particularly if it’s suitable for your children.  The following should help answer that question.

What is Fortnite?

Fortnite is rated T for Teen with a Content Descriptor for Violence and Interactive Elements including Users Interact and In-Game Purchases.  The depictions of guns and violence in Fortnite are cartoon-like and there’s no blood or gore. The game comes across as whimsical and even absurd at times.

Although Fortnite can be enjoyed alone or just with friends in its Save the World mode, the real draw for most Fortnite players is its online multiplayer Battle Royale modes. In each match, 100 players are dropped into a map with the sole mission of being the last player standing. Most competitions last approximately 20 minutes, but because it’s a free-for-all, player experiences can be as short as a few seconds. Gamers take out other players by gathering items, including guns and other weapons. Some modes allow players to defend themselves by building complex structures on the fly, but there is also a “Zero Build” mode which has gained popularity since its introduction in March 2022. The last player standing wins the coveted “Victory Royale.”

Creative mode lets players design their own Fortnite games and experiences that they can share with friends and others online. Recently, Epic revealed the Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN). These tools allow players to design, develop, and publish more professional looking games and experiences directly into Fortnite. In short, UEFN enables players to use some of the same tools Epic uses to develop Fortnite to create and share their own Islands (empty maps on which players and creators can make their own personalized experiences), stories, and more.

Partnerships and collaborations – like an in-game battle with Marvel villain Galactus – bring in players from different “fandoms,” after which they often stick around to see what the game offers next. Fortnite’s strategy, depth, and story-like flow to each “season” make it compelling. Meanwhile, its exuberant schoolyard simplicity makes it easy for players of all ages to pick up and enjoy, regardless of a player’s skill.

How to Mitigate Risks in Fortnite

It’s important to note that if your kids go to Islands built with Fortnite Creative or UEFN, they will have access to other people’s creations in Fortnite. The good news is, through a combination of automated tools and human review, Epic currently examines all player-created content prior to its release to ensure that it is appropriate for Fortnite’s audience and abides by their content rules.

With so many playing the game, your child could encounter players who may not set the greatest examples in terms of sportsmanship. This presents a good opportunity to talk with your child about online safety, what kind of behavior is appropriate, and what’s over the line. And remember, if another player ever makes your kids feel uncomfortable you can always mute, block, or report the offender.  Moreover, Fortnite has its own robust parental controls and even default settings to ensure that your child has a positive experience.

What Are Cabined Accounts?

Epic launched Cabined Accounts in late 2022, a new type of Epic account that provides a tailored experience designed to help ensure that experiences are appropriate for younger players.

Should your kids be under 13 their account will automatically be classified as a Cabined Account and require you to approve your child’s access to certain in-game features. (This is a reminder about why it’s so vitally important that your kids always enter their accurate age when signing up for a product or service!) Once your child receives parental consent, they will no longer have a Cabined Account and their experience will respect your preferred Parental Control settings.

When your kids register for Fortnite, they will be asked for a parent’s email address. Epic will then send an email to you letting you know about your child’s Epic account and provide you with the opportunity to provide permission to access certain features and set up parental controls that:

• Manage the games your kids can get in the Epic Games Store based on ESRB ratings;
• Limit online chat (voice and/or text) to Everybody, Friends and Teammates, Friends Only, or Nobody;
• Block or limit spending on in-game purchases using Epic Games payment; and
• Set up parental controls that allow you to manage who your child is able to send or accept Epic friend requests from;
• Track the amount of time your kids spend playing Fortnite every week.

Where Can You Play Fortnite?

The game is available for download on multiple gaming platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and the Epic Games Store. For Android users, it’s also available in the Samsung Galaxy Store on Samsung Galaxy devices, or from the Epic Games App on all other Android devices. As of this writing, the mobile version of the game is no longer available for download in either the Apple App Store or Google Play but can be played if the game was previously installed on an iOS or Android device. Fortnite is also playable via cloud streaming on Amazon Luna, GeForce Now, and Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Notably, Fortnite allows players on one device to play with friends and other players using a different one. This is referred to as “cross-platform” playability, a feature that not every game has but greatly expands the pool of online players.

How Much Does Fortnite Cost?

Anyone can access and play Fortnite for free. However, the game offers purchases with its own in-game currency called V-Bucks (1000 V-Bucks costs $7.99). Players can use V-Bucks to buy in-game items like cosmetics to customize their experience. They can also buy a Battle Pass using 950 V-Bucks, adding an extra layer of unlockable gadgets and bonuses for each gameplay “season,” which typically lasts for about 10 weeks. A Fortnite Crew subscription of $11.99 a month will get players a monthly bonus of 1,000 V-Bucks, the most recent Battle Pass and exclusive outfits.

For the record, buying V-Bucks is not required to enjoy Fortnite, as they don’t provide any competitive advantage. Players are not penalized for sticking with the free option. On top of that, players can also earn V-Bucks by completing in-game tasks, making additional purchases entirely optional.

While Battle Royale and Creative modes are free-to-play, Save the World needs to be purchased for access. The price has fluctuated over time between $15.99 and $39.99 depending on the platform.

For the record, buying V-Bucks is not required to enjoy Fortnite.

Keep in mind that some of these costs are subject to change, so it’s helpful to double check before making a purchase.

Additional Tips for Parents

While Cabined Accounts and parental controls offer parents many great choices, there are more steps you can take to ensure that your kids have appropriate video game experiences.

We always say that the best first step is to call a family meeting and establish some household rules around video game play. By first discussing the situation you’re setting a precedent for an open-ended, judgment-free conversation about video games. You’re also letting them know that, while you respect their love of playing games, there are parameters that the whole family (even you!) need to respect.

To back this up, you can also set platform-level parental controls. All video game platforms (including consoles, smartphones, and computers) also include parental controls, which you can activate to manage what games your kids play, with whom, when/for how long, and whether they can spend money on in-game purchases and/or new games. Some devices even let you set spending limits or allot time parameters for every day of the week. Both iOS and Android mobile devices also offer effective tools for parents, like Apple’s Screen Time and Google’s Family Link. ESRB offers step-by-step parental controls guides at ParentalTools.org.

Visit ESRB’s Family Gaming Guide for more information on household rules, parental controls, online safety tips, and more.

Patricia E. Vance is the president of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). In her position, she leads the teams responsible for assigning age and content ratings to video games and apps, enforcing marketing guidelines adopted by the video game industry, and operating ESRB Privacy Certified, an FTC-sanctioned COPPA Safe Harbor Privacy seal certification program.

The post What Parents Need To Know About Fortnite Battle Royale appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

Establish Household Rules

Household rules can be a powerful tool not only when managing screen time, but appropriate content, online communications, and more. Call a family meeting where you can start an ongoing, judgement-free conversation around video games to get the ball rolling.

This kind of open-ended conversation will help you better understand why your kids play games and what they like about their favorites. Meanwhile, it’s a good opportunity to set screen time expectations for the whole family (including you!). By giving everyone a chance to chime in on screen time rules, you are showing your children that you respect what they’re doing, but boundaries are necessary, too.

Remember: It’s crucially important for you to model that behavior and follow some of the screen time rules as well. Unlike your kids, you probably don’t need to finish homework before checking your phone, but no screens at the dinner table can apply to the whole family.

Set Parental Controls as a Backup

Nintendo Switch

Virtually every device capable of playing video games has parental controls, including PCs, smartphones, tablets, and video game consoles. These controls can help you manage what your kids play, with whom, whether they can spend money, and (you guessed it) when they can play video games and for how long.

Controls vary depending upon the device, but every single one offers the ability to set screen time limits, which you can use to reinforce your established household rules. For some devices you can even set a full weekly schedule dictating when your kids are permitted to play and for how long. This means that you can have strict timeframes during the school week and allow more time on weekends if you’d like. When your kids near the time limit the device will let them know so they can finish their online match or save their game. But once the timer is done the device will automatically shut down.

In most cases you can change these settings remotely via a companion app or website. This includes the ability to extend your kids gameplay if a game of Fortnite is going long, or cut it a little early if something comes up.

Visit ParentalTools.org for step-by-step parental controls guides.

Stay Flexible

Video games can include a lot of variables, so it’s helpful to understand the “rhythm” of the games your kids are playing and why they may be asking for “five more minutes.”

Many single player games will automatically save progress as you play, others will require that the player head to a dedicated save point. Sometimes these save points are few and far between and there are few things more frustrating than losing hours of progress because you couldn’t make it to a save point in time. Meanwhile, if your kids are in the middle of an online game, turning it off before a match is complete can have a number of negative effects, from disappointing friends and teammates, to (in some cases) in-game punishments.

PlayStation 5

Sometimes “five more minutes” can turn into 10, and it can seem arbitrary, but allowing those five minutes shows respect for your kids’ hobby and social connections. Furthermore, it shows that you understand why it’s important to reach a logical stopping point. Of course, part of managing screen time is understanding if the third call for “five more minutes” is a bit of a stretch.

Assess and Reassess

Windows and Xbox

Rules and flexibility go a long way, but you’ll want to regularly revisit your screen time rules and parental controls as your kids mature. Some rules – like no phones at the dinner table – can work forever, but you may one day find that your kids need a little more leeway. Maybe your kids are coordinating on a school project via Discord, or catching up with a friend in their Minecraft world. Of course, you may also see areas to periodically clamp down to make sure schoolwork, extracurriculars, and other responsibilities are taken care of.

This is all part of staying involved with your kids’ video game experiences. Managing screen time is just one aspect of this, but it can lead to some great conversations and it may even inspire you to pick up the controller for a fun family game night.

Patricia E. Vance is the president of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). In her position, she leads the teams responsible for assigning age and content ratings to video games and apps, enforcing marketing guidelines adopted by the video game industry, and operating ESRB Privacy Certified, an FTC-sanctioned COPPA Safe Harbor Privacy seal certification program.

The post What Parents Need to Know About Managing Screen Time appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

Like soccer, FIFA games are easy to play, but difficult to master. It’s notable that many top professional soccer players are avid FIFA players. But what do parents like you need to know about the games? Read on to find out!

What is FIFA 23?

FIFA 23 is a soccer simulation game, the latest in a long-running series, developed and published by Electronic Arts. In FIFA 23 the player can pass, cross, shoot, tackle, and dribble using simple joypad button presses, while working to master more complex tricks and tactical maneuvers. FIFA games are excellent simulations of the physics of soccer, while also giving players a sense of soccer’s passion and grandeur. The stadia, TV commentary, and the details of player’s faces and goal celebrations are all rendered in highly sophisticated detail.

Career mode allows players to live the dream of a career as a professional player or club coach. Ultimate Team challenges players to build a team made up of their favorite players, including legends from the past. Pro Clubs and Volta online modes let the player join up with real world friends and play as an individual soccer player in 11-v-11 games, or with smaller teams in street matches.

What’s New in FIFA 23?

Every year, publisher Electronic Arts seeks to improve its latest FIFA game with new features and tweaks, as well as including all the latest player statistics and trends from the real world of soccer. FIFA 23 is no exception, offering a host of updates and new features.

Over the next year we’re being treated to the men’s World Cup in Qatar, and the women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Both tournaments will be represented in FIFA 23 (these modes won’t be available at launch, but will be added for free later) allowing players to take part in soccer’s biggest competitions.

Source: EA

For the first time, women’s club soccer is also available to play. The English and French leagues are included at launch, with more to follow, as well as international teams. They’ve also added the fictional soccer club from Apple TV’s Ted Lasso as a playable team.

All in all, FIFA 23 features more than 19,000 players, 700 teams, 100 stadiums, 30 leagues, and other elite competitions.

Is FIFA 23 Appropriate for Children?

FIFA 23 is rated E for Everyone, meaning that the content is generally suitable for all ages, with Interactive Elements including Users Interact and In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items).

FIFA 23 is out on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Google Stadia. Gamers who own different gaming devices (in the same generation) can play one another in online modes. This means players on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Stadia, and PlayStation 5 will be able to enjoy cross-play compatibility. Xbox One and PlayStation 4 owners of FIFA 23 will also be able to play together.

How Much Does FIFA 23 Cost?

FIFA 23 costs $69.99 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, and $59.99 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. FIFA 23: Legacy Edition costs $39.99 on the Nintendo Switch. That said, it does include the ability to make additional purchases in the FIFA Ultimate Team mode.

Ultimate Team allows players to build a team made up of their favorite professionals. Your kids can “hire” professional soccer players by purchasing random packs (which also include various boosts). It’s important to note that none of this is mandatory; players can earn these packs by playing the game. Winning matches and completing challenges earns in-game currency that your kids can then spend. They can also buy in-game currency using real money, and many players do just this as they seek to perfect their team. Players can also be bought and sold individually (for in-game currency) on an in-game market, using in-game currency.

Make sure you discuss household rules around digital purchases with your kids, and set parental controls to manage spending as a backup!

Playing FIFA 23 Online

While FIFA 23 is rated E for Everyone, it is a good idea to monitor online play.

Most players just want to have a good time and connect via a shared love of soccer and/or video games. But of course, some players may not have a “good time” in the same way. Make sure your kids know that they can always come to you if they encounter anyone behaving poorly. From there, you can work as a team to figure out what to do. And remember that you can block, mute, and/or report players that are behaving inappropriately.

Furthermore, you can set parental controls to proactively manage who your kids are allowed to play with. Some parents may want to limit their kids’ interactions to known friends and family, while others may be OK with allowing their kids to play with strangers. Ultimately, all devices have parental controls options to manage online play.

It’s also worth noting that online play does not require chat, and many players of all ages prefer to play with chat disabled. Online modes can also be switched off entirely, allowing the player to engage with FIFA 23 in a single-player environment.

Parental Controls in FIFA 23

In addition to console parental controls, FIFA games include a system called Playtime, that allows parents to monitor and restrict the amount of time or money players are spending on the game. This means you can allow your children to play online for a set amount of time, or stipulate the amount of money they can spend on the game, even if that amount is zero.

Online play does not require chat!

As always, understanding the games your children are playing is key to making sure they have appropriate experiences. Checking the ratings, researching online, or even by watching your children play for a while is not only a great way to stay informed, but also nurtures a judgment-free environment around something they love! Who knows, you may even want to pick up the controller with them.

Colin Campbell is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in The Economist, The Guardian, Polygon, IGN, Gamesindustry.biz and more.

The post What Parents Need to Know About FIFA 23 appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

Read on for more key trends from our most recent survey with parents, conducted by Hart Research Associates in June 2022.

Trend: More Parents Are Playing Games to Help Decide Appropriateness

Parents are making time to play a video game to help them decide if it is appropriate for their children; in fact, playing a game to determine age appropriateness is second only to checking the ESRB rating information.

Parents and caregivers are getting into the game more than ever. Most say ESRB ratings are still a “very helpful” method for determining the appropriateness of a game. This year, we’re also seeing more and more parents jump in as player 1 to help them decide about appropriate video games. Of course, as the survey confirms, parents are also taking advantage of other resources and strategies, including getting information from other parents, considering the genre of a game, and conducting internet research.

Trend: All Three Parts of the ESRB Ratings Continue to Be Very Important to Parents

Parental awareness and use of ESRB-assigned age and content ratings remains high. Parents say that all three parts of the rating system continue to be very valuable when deciding whether a video game is appropriate for their children. 

Parents continue to show a high level of awareness and use of the ESRB ratings. In fact, 84% say they are aware of the age ratings, while 74% say they check them before buying a game “every time” or “most of the time.”

A large majority of parents also find that all three parts of the rating system are “extremely” or “very” important when making decisions about appropriate video games for their family.

Trend: Parents and Caregivers are the Primary Decision-Makers When it Comes to Video Games

Parents and caregivers remain active in the decision-making process around appropriate video games. The survey revealed that parents make the decisions about which games and apps are permitted in the home.

Parents are in the driver’s seat when making decisions about which video games are permitted in the home. 78% of parents say they make all or most of the decisions about which games their kids can play and which apps they download. Some parents (17%) opt for a hybrid approach, working with their children to make these decisions. Only 5% of parents say their kids are allowed to make all or most of the decisions about what they play and download.

Trend: Parents Trust their Kids While Leveraging Parental Controls as Back-Up

Parents generally trust their children to follow the household rules. That said, many parents still enable parental controls to ensure that there are guardrails in place for their children around what they play, with whom, for how long, and whether they can spend money on new games and/or in-game purchases.

A large majority of parents (80%) say they use at least one parental control setting on one or more of their kids’ game devices (including consoles, PCs, and mobile devices) in the home. For parents who use parental controls on a video game console the highest proportion say they do so to limit or block purchases using real money. This is followed by limiting screen time, blocking games based on the ESRB-assigned age rating, and managing online communications with other players.

Trend: Parents Are Involved!

We often say that the best way for parents and caregivers to manage their kids’ video game play is to stay involved. From conducting pre-purchase research to setting parental controls, nurturing an open-ended, judgement-free conversation around appropriate video games is a surefire way to make sure you’re never in the dark about what (with whom and how much) your kids play. The good news is that this year’s survey illustrates that parents largely take advantage of the many tools and resources available and are actively engaged in managing their children’s video game experiences.  Parents being parents!

Patricia E. Vance is the president of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). In her position, she leads the teams responsible for assigning age and content ratings to video games and apps, enforcing marketing guidelines adopted by the video game industry, and operating ESRB Privacy Certified, an FTC-sanctioned COPPA Safe Harbor Privacy seal certification program.

The post Parents Press Start to Help Pick Appropriate Video Games appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

On the whole, gaming is a healthy, fun activity, but it’s always helpful to stay involved with what your kids are playing, especially when you can’t be there to watch.

What Are Mobile Games?

If your child has access to a smartphone, chances are they’re playing mobile games. These games are mostly downloaded from either the Google Play Store (Android) or the Apple App Store (iPhone/iPad).

These digital stores maintain simple-to-follow rating systems that inform parents about the game’s age appropriateness, and the nature of the game’s content. In fact, every game and app in the Google Play Store includes ESRB assigned age and content rating information. There are also plenty of online resources that inform parents about individual games, and whether they are appropriate to an individual family’s preferences.

When it comes to mobile games and kids, most parents have five key questions, which I will address here:

1. Can my kids spend money on mobile games without my consent?
2. How do I manage for how long my kids can play mobile games?
3. How do I block inappropriate games?
4. How can I restrict in-game advertising?
5. How do I manage with whom my kids communicate in mobile games?

Can My Kids Spend Money On Mobile Games Without My Consent?

Many games are free-to-play, meaning that they cost nothing to download and to play. These games make their money by serving ads and/or offering in-game purchases, where players can buy items such as clothing, weapons, or ability boosts. Some offer “season passes” which open up access to new, sometimes exclusive, content. These are often extremely tempting for keen game players, and most parents with kids who play games will be familiar with earnest requests for funds to purchase new content.

Parents can employ a number of strategies to limit how their children spend money in app stores. Both iOS and Google Play include parental controls that allow parents to block their kids’ devices from making purchases if they feel it is necessary, or to impose maximum limits in purchases.

The most common strategy – and the one I use – is to tell my kids that they must always ask permission before buying anything online. These purchases then become treats, and some parents may feel that they are earned through, say, completing homework assignments. App store settings allow parents to receive notifications when their child tries to make a purchase, that they can then either approve or deny.

Another strategy is to give your kids an allowance that they can spend how they please. This may also help teach kids the value of budgeting, saving, and how they can spend their own money.

The most common strategy – and the one I use – is to tell my kids that they must always ask permission before buying anything online.

Some mobile games cost a fixed fee to download and play – like traditional video games you’d find in a store or on a game console. If you don’t have parental controls for spending set up on your kids’ phones, keep an eye on your bank statements and look out for strange charges.

Both Google and Apple also offer subscription services. Google Play Pass offers hundreds of games for a monthly (or reduced yearly) fee. None of these games include any additional charges or advertisements. Apple offers a very similar service, Apple Arcade. These both allow parents some peace of mind, especially if you’re concerned about in-game purchases and the nature of ads in mobile games.

How Do I Manage For How Long My Kids Can Play Mobile Games?

As a fan of video games I know how easy it is to get sucked in, and it’s the same for my kids. I’m always keen to make sure they’re not spending too much time gaming, especially if it’s at the expense of other activities like schoolwork, and outdoor pursuits.

Agreeing on video game time limits is one of the biggest parental challenges of our times (at least in my house) and it is not unknown for my kids to sneak a gaming session under the bed sheets when they ought to be fast asleep. Thankfully, this is an area where cellphones have parental controls to block kids from playing games between certain hours of the day. Parents can also set daily time limits on how long kids are able to play games. I recommend using these tools, which are also available on game consoles, especially for younger children.

How Do I Block Inappropriate Games?

Phones registered to children always include a variety of settings that allow parents to block any kind of content they deem inappropriate.

As mentioned, Google Play features age and content ratings assigned by ESRB, including:

• Rating Categories – suggest age appropriateness such as
  • E (Everyone)
  • E10+ (Everyone 10+)
  • T (Teen)
  • M (Mature)
  • AO (Adults Only)
• Content Descriptors – indicating whether a game contains violence, suggestive themes, language, gambling, controlled substances, and more.
• Interactive Elements – provide more insight into features that are of interest to many parents, such as the ability for users to interact (Users Interact) or the ability to spend money within a game (In-Game Purchases, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)).

The iPhone and iPad app store uses a similar rating system based on children’s ages:

• Rated 4+
• Rated 9+
• Rated 12+
• Rated 17+

App stores also allow you to organize content into family-friendly areas, so that kids are only browsing games that are appropriate to their age group. Again, parents can set this as the default on their children’s phones.

How Can I Restrict In-game Advertising?

Many free-to-play games are funded via advertising. In some scenarios these are pop-ups, and in others players are obliged to watch an ad to continue playing. These ads often promote other mobile games and come with an invitation to download. The ESRB does not have any way of classifying these ads, as they are controlled by ad networks and typically based on the behavior of the user (which in many cases is you). The responsibility lies with app stores to serve ads that are appropriate to the content and the user.

Frankly, their automated systems are a work in progress so inappropriate ads can sometimes slip through. Some games allow players to block ads by paying a small fee, which may be a worthwhile investment if your child enjoys the game. Alternatively, you can reach out to the storefront’s customer service to let them know that your kids were served an inappropriate ad.

App stores also allow you to organize content into family-friendly areas.

Playing advertising-funded games in airplane mode can also sometimes block the ads from getting through. Another solution is to monitor the games your kids are playing and block all apps that serve ads. This can limit the number of games available to your kids, but some parents may feel more comfortable with this measure.

How Do I Manage With Whom My Kids Communicate?

Unfortunately, stranger-danger is something all parents and kids have to be aware of in all situations, including mobile games.

It’s always worth finding out if the games your child plays have a ‘chat function,’ which allows them to converse with other players. It is common for games to allow anyone to play with one another, creating the potential for bad actors and bullies to interact with kids.

Game settings often allow parents to restrict whom their child plays with. For example, look for a privacy setting that restricts games to only your child’s in-game friends, or perhaps to a wider circle called ‘friends of friends’. You can also turn chat functions off entirely.

I talk to my kids about ‘stranger danger’ online. If they ever feel uncomfortable with another player’s behavior, they know to block or mute that player, and perhaps to report their behavior via the game’s reporting mechanisms, which are usually very simple.

My kids also know to talk to their parents if they come across someone who upsets them or creates concern among their friends. This way I can look into that person’s online persona and make my own complaint to the game’s moderators if necessary. I also teach my kids to never, ever agree to private chats with strangers, or to hand over any passwords or game keys.

It’s worth noting that most kids, most of the time, will have positive experiences playing games online. Game companies are getting better at weeding out toxic players and identifying concerning behavior patterns through artificial intelligence and in-game monitors. As always, staying involved as a parent is the best way to make sure your kids are having a good time.

Bottom Line

Mobile games are great fun, and a positive experience for kids. By keeping an eye on your kids’ gaming habits, staying informed, and making use of parental controls, you can maintain a healthy relationship between your children and their favorite mobile games.

Colin Campbell is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in The Economist, The Guardian, Polygon, IGN, Gamesindustry.biz and more.

The post What Parents Need to Know About Mobile Games appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

Last year, millions around the world found respite and joy in digital play – much of it with friends and family. In the United States, seven out of 10 people – 226.6 million people – played video games, up from 214 million a year earlier, according to the Entertainment Software Association’s report 2021 Essential Facts About the Video Game Industry.

This proved to be especially true for kids, with 60% of parents saying that games were helpful in connecting kids with friends and family. Many parents even joined in on the fun, with about 74% playing video games with their children at least weekly, up dramatically from 55% a year earlier.

As one parent said to the ESA, “I do get to spend time with my son playing, and talking about what we are doing next is a nice bonding opportunity.”

Bringing the Playground to Everyone

For Tyler Baker, the opportunity to socialize through online games isn’t just nice, it’s a lifeline. Born with open spina bifida, the 27-year-old uses a modified Xbox Elite controller provided by AbleGamers, a nonprofit that advocates for greater accessibility in digital entertainment.

His mother, Lisa, credits games with helping Tyler develop his hand-eye coordination, as well as his cognitive skills. “They keep his mind working to solve issues, maneuver through missions and tasks, and work as a team with other players,” said Lisa Baker, who estimates that three-quarters of her son’s friends were made via online gaming. “Socialization plays a key role, especially once the pandemic hit and we locked down.”

This is something Steven Hunter came to realize in 2012, when his oldest son Tanner suffered a wrestling accident in high school that left Tanner paralyzed from the neck down. Through adaptive technologies provided by AbleGamers, Tanner, now 26, was able to play Fortnite and other games with his two younger brothers.

“Gaming is a social activity for Tanner,” said Steven Hunter. “It’s become a pivotal way for him to socialize with his brothers. They all grew up very much into games, and it’s become a big part of how they stay close. They’re best friends.”

“What we know from years of experience is that games help combat social isolation and foster community among people with disabilities,” said Mark Barlet, founder and executive director of AbleGamers. “We make friends through shared experiences. It’s no different for people with disabilities, many of whom have friends they’ve met through games.”

Socializing through Shared Play

Researchers have pointed out that multiplayer games are social systems, wired for engagement, communication, competition, collaboration, and even innovation. Elisabeth Hayes Gee, professor at Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College and the Delbert & Jewell Lewis Chair in Reading & Literacy, said that “many video games are meant to be shared, and can teach young people about science, literacy, and problem solving.”

Ryan Perry, a behavioral-science researcher at the University of Melbourne, co-authored a paper titled “Online-only friends, real-life friends or strangers?” that concluded, “Overall, these results emphasize that social interactions in (and around) online multiplayer video games are effective for building social capital, and do so by ensuring game play is in harmony with other goals and values.”

That games are social is perhaps news to very few people these days. But it was not so long ago that gaming was seen as an isolating activity. This was particularly true for online gamers who were stereotyped as recently as 2012 as “low in social status and socially peripheral.”

The Modern Playground

Fast-forward to today, both demographics and culture have evolved. The average age of today’s gamer is 31, according to the ESA. In other words, yesterday’s gamers have grown up to become parents, surgeons, lawmakers, actors and role models. Meanwhile, children are communicating, strategizing, and building connections with each other over a friendly game of Fortnite or a shared Minecraft (Everyone 10+) world.

“Multiplayer games are exciting and interesting because people are exciting and interesting,” said Andy Robertson, a father of three, author of Taming Gaming, and creator of  the Family Video Gaming Database, which helps parents discover and learn more about games.

Robertson cites Roblox (Everyone 10+) as one of the games that mirror these physical playground interactions: “You see kids playing this game, and they’re like, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if the floor was lava? Or if there were sharks here?’ And the developers would say, ‘Good, let’s do that.’ And so you end up with games in Roblox that can be quite peculiar because they’re shaped by these social interactions – not only between the players, but between players and developers as well.”

It’s striking that this behavior is so similar to improvised games kids can play with each other in-person. Video games have evolved to bridge the gap between real world imagination and the realities of a children’s day-to-day lives, becoming an essential tool for socialization and connection.

“When we say games, we often just think of the game itself,” Robertson said. “We sometimes forget that actually there is often this whole community around the game that is just as big a part of the play as the game itself.”

Staying Safe

Many parents have an understandable concern regarding their kids socializing online – including playing video games with strangers. You never truly know who’s on the other side of the screen unless you’ve first met them in real life, so it’s important to have an understanding of the tools at your disposal to make sure your kids have appropriate (and fun) online experiences with others.

As a parent, I find it helpful to have open conversations about who my son should play with, signs to watch out for, and how to respond if questionable things happen. Many parents I know have rules in place allowing their children to only play with family, friends from school, or pals from other real-world activities. Others feel comfortable permitting their kids to play with friends of friends, and maybe even strangers. Every child is different, and you’ll know when your children are ready for the next step.

We sometimes forget that actually there is often this whole community around the game that is just as big a part of the play as the game itself. – Andy Robertson

You can also set parental controls to help manage with whom your kids can play. These controls are available for virtually every video game device. While some let you make more granular rules than others, all are extremely helpful in creating an appropriate online experience.

As Robertson wistfully told me recently in conversation, “In a way, games are like playgrounds. Children run into the playground and… they don’t care who they’re playing with. There’s this lovely innocence about jumping in and just playing. If they keep seeing the same kids turning up playing the same games with them, you start to see these friendships form.”

Alex Pham is a mother, journalist and content strategist living in San Diego, Calif. She previously spent 20 years writing about media and technology for publications such as the Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, and Billboard Magazine. The highlight of her career was when she beat Pikmin in a single, caffeine-fueled weekend.

The post The New Playground: Gaming as Social Activity appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

1. There’s No “Right Way” to Manage Video Games

You don’t have to stress about finding the “perfect” balance of video game time for your kids. Every family’s needs are different – and not all video game time is created equal. Instead of setting inflexible limits on your kids’ video game time, webinar panelist Andy Robertson, author of Taming Gaming, said it’s all about understanding your children’s love of video games and helping guide them toward healthy gaming habits.

Believe it or not, a great way to do this is by playing games with your kids! Sharing video game time will give you insight into the content, skill level, and context of the games your kids are playing – as well as providing invaluable family bonding time. This is a great opportunity to model a healthy relationship with video games and screen time.

“I know how I parent in other areas, so how am I going to be able to do this with video games? I think it’s quite helpful just to create some space and take a step back to figure it out,” said Andy Robinson, author of Taming Gaming. “A big part of that was developing habits, conditions, and rituals [during family video game time] around how we play games together. I think that sets in action an ongoing relationship with video games that continues to evolve.” Andy finished by saying that parents should “find a way to play together, but be confident in your own values” as a parent.

While it’s great to add something fun to your never-ending parent to-do list, you don’t need to be involved every time your kids pick up a controller. You can also show your interest by participating at a level that works for you, whether this means sitting in the same room while they play and asking the occasional question, or making it a topic of conversation during family meals. Keep the lines of communication open and chances are good you’ll learn more about why your kids love games, and have some fun along the way!

2. Check the Ratings

Picking appropriate games for your kids can feel daunting, but there are tools to help make it easier. The ESRB rating system provides information to help parents choose appropriate games for every player in the family. Ratings have three parts:

• Rating Categories suggest age appropriateness.
• Content Descriptors indicate the type of content that likely factored into the age rating assigned.
• Interactive Elements highlight online features that don’t influence ratings but are important to know about, such as in-game purchases and user interaction.

“Find a way to play together, but be confident in your own values.”

When asked about what other tools parents could use to make sure kids have the best possible experience online (even when they’re not around), ESRB President Patricia Vance responded by explaining the importance of having some basic household rules about video games.  She encouraged parents to start the conversation early, agree on a few ground rules, keep the door open for ongoing conversations and be prepared to adjust those rules as time goes on. Acknowledging that, parents can’t be around all the time, she referred parents to ParentalTools.org which provides step-by-step instructions on how to set up parental controls to help manage what kids can play, with whom, for how long and whether they can spend money on in-game purchases.

In addition to parental controls, parents should be aware of other in-game measures they can take to create a positive experience for their kids. When it comes to multiplayer online games, Patricia Vance recommends that parents review a game’s “community guidelines” with their child, which detail the rules of the road for players and also provides a “teachable moment.” She also wanted parents to know about in-game features that allow children to “block, mute and report other players that make them feel uncomfortable.”

Learn more about the ESRB rating system here.

3. Video Games are Good for Your Kids!

Although often overlooked, it turns out that when kids play video games they’re not just exercising their thumbs – they’re exercising their brains! In her book A Parent’s Guide to Video Games, webinar panelist Dr. Rachel Kowert discusses the many benefits of playing video games, including effects on:

• Cognitive development: Video games foster improved goal setting, initiative taking, persistence, strategic thinking, and more.
• Physical and mental health: Playing video games can help improve attention and reduce impulsivity, while developing imagination and empathy skills. Games that incorporate movement, or “exergames,” promote physical fitness.
• Social development: Video games today are increasingly social, with 77% of players reporting playing with other either online or in person according to ESA’s 2021 Essential Facts About the Video Game Industry. In fact, 74% of parents say they play games with their kids weekly! No matter how you play together, connecting through video games can enhance communication and teamwork.
• Positive learning: When kids play video games, they’re picking up a variety of skills and knowledge without even realizing it! This can include leadership, time management, problem solving, content knowledge (such as history or urban planning), and other skills that have direct offline applications.

“Games bring a lot to the table,” says Dr. Rachel Kowert, Research director at Take This. “Games are valuable tools for learning because they are fun… because they balance the challenge of the game with the skill of the player. In psychology we call that a ‘state of flow.’” Dr. Kowert goes on to explain that games can teach kids, “problem solving, multi-tasking, and creativity.” She adds that a lot of this is unintentional, meaning that a child can play a game about farming, and accidentally learn important skills about resource and time management.

Dr. Kowert adds that there are a “range of social benefits” to video games that have become an “integral part of social lives” for many – kids included. She adds that video games can not only help reinforce existing friendships, but create new ones. Dr. Kowert finished by saying, “What brings us together more than saving the world?”

4. Keep the Conversation Going and Stay Flexible

Panelists agreed that replacing enforcement with involvement in your kids’ video game time isn’t a one-and-done affair, and the household rules should reflect that. They advised parents to treat video games like any other activity your kid might engage in and include it in your everyday conversations about your kids’ interests. Ask them about the games they love and they’ll likely have plenty to say!

“Games are valuable tools for learning because they are fun.”

During the webinar, Patricia Vance drives home the importance of combining the ongoing video game conversation with flexibility around household rules. For example, she explains that most parents are rigid regarding rules about in-game purchases, but far more flexible around screen time. Nurturing an open conversation about video games makes it easier for you to stay flexible, and easier for your children to understand the “why” behind the household rules.

5. Take Advantage of Additional Resources

After listening to the panelists, it’s clear that parents are not in this alone! In addition to ESRB ratings, there are many useful tools parents can use to help their kids have positive video game experiences. Check out:

• ParentalTools.org, with step-by-step parental control guides to help you manage your kids’ video game time when you’re not around. You can set parental controls to help you manage what your kids can play based on the ESRB rating information, when (and for how long), with whom, and whether they can spend any money on in-game purchases.
• Family Video Game Database, created by panelist Andy Robertson, provides in-depth descriptions of video game content and features. This includes information on accessibility so you can make sure everyone can join in the fun, regardless of disability or other special needs.
• The webinar also recommended the following resources for additional information:
  • Takethis.org
  • Internetmatters.org
  • Mediasmarts.ca

This is just a taste of what our expert panelists discussed during the free webinar for parents, Harnessing the Positive Power of Video Games. To learn more about how you can make the most out of video games in your home, check out the video recording of the webinar.

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