A common assumption today is that the majority of people who either buy or play computer games and video games are children or young teenagers. In fact, well over sixty percent of all those who do play or buy such video games are over the age of eighteen. It is largely the older brothers and sisters, or even parents of the children who are the majority of gamers. When you look at the type and range of video games and computer games on the market, there is a large variety, some of which are suitable for children and families, but many of which are not, and in the case of video games which do feature more mature or adult content, this is clearly displayed on the cover label. Shops and retailers have a duty to ensure that games labelled for those only over the age of sixteen or eighteen are not sold to underage children, with proofs of age required in the case of any uncertainty. In reality, this actually happens quite rarely - even more rare than those retailers who check the ages of people buying videos and movies that have similar age restrictions or advice labels on them.
In fact, over eighty three percent of all those adults who buy computer games or video games for children against the publisher's age recommendations are the parents themselves. There are perhaps three main reasons why this tends to be the case. The first reason is that many parents don't even realise that computer games and video games have age limitations or restrictions at all. Unless they have carefully looked at the covers and read the labels, there is no other way of them knowing or realising. The second possible reason is that the parents know that there are age guidelines, but through simple child pester power, they give in. The age old excuse that all the child's friends have it, and they've played it before many times, some parents imply give in for a quiet life.
A third possible reason is simply ignorance - that parents don't realise just how much computer graphical capabilities have developed in the last few years. Many parents may be thinking back to the eighties when computer graphics were very pixelated and bland - no more than cartoons at best. They may well not realise that the graphical capabilities of a good video game and computer system today means that the level of detail is scarcely less that would be seen in a movie. Unless parents play an active role in looking carefully at the labels on video games, and even seeing the game itself, then this ignorance may well persist.
Perhaps it is the responsibility of the video games industry itself to increase the awareness of the importance of age guidelines on computer games, to help get the message across. If the eighty three percent of parents who buy underage goods for their children stopped doing this, then the problem of children playing these games would be seriously addressed. Clearly, since the majority of video gamers are adults, a change on the type of game available is not likely, or even appropriate, and so it is down to making sure that inappropriate items don't fall into the wrong hands, as with anything such as alcohol, videos and car keys.
In several video games, your child get to become the main character who travels throughout the game purchasing different items needed to complete the video game successfully, while reading special instructions given throughout the video game. Since the child is simply interested in playing the video game they become unaware that they are actually reading and often times the reading is above their regular grade level. You may often hear your child say they do not like to read, but if you will take the time to watch them play particular video games and tell them you can not see the writing that well, then hopefully they will read it to you and you will become fairly surprised.
Video games can even inspire children to new interests as well. In fact, when a child plays a video game that they do not know much about, then you may see your child bringing books home from the school library that are similar to their new video game. When a child is participating in a video game, then children can see history come alive. Each video game that your child plays must be viewed as having a positive side instead of listening to all the hubba of others, because video games can teach your child different skills.
Some video games are designed to teach the skills necessary for making a living as they give the gamer a variety of different choices. Video games also confront gamers with issues such as moral dilemmas, solving challenging problems, and developing social relationships as well. Children who play video games often have the pick up from a cluttered area than those that do not. In fact, studies are now showing that when learning is added into video game playing children begin being faster at the other activities they participate in.
Some where in the future of time teachers may begin incorporating the playing of video games into the assignments of their students. Several government agencies will use computerized video games to assist in stimulating certain types of situations for their employees. In fact, even the military and NASA train with computerized video games, which is due to the changes in computer technology. By looking more at the positive side of video games parents and teacher could really bring themselves closer to children.
Often times children are playing their video games on-line, which makes playing video games much more of a social activity. Children and adults can learn more from each other if they take the time to learn how to play these video games with each other, which will also open up the lines of communication and understanding. Hopefully, more individuals will see video games in a more positive light instead of in a negative way most of the time.
Victor Epand has sinced written about articles on various topics from Shopping, Trucks and Interest. Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, dolls, and video games. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, dolls, and used video games at these sites for