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Video games have become so advanced and readily available these days. Not only do you have the traditional consoles, there are also handheld versions, and even smartphones are highly capable these days. And it is inevitable that many kids are going to become involved in playing them on a regular basis. However, as a parent, it is important that you take steps to control the habit so that it doesn’t turn into a full-blown obsession. So, here are a few tips which will help you out when it comes to your kids and video games.
Check the Age and Content Rating
Many video games are designed for adults these days, so you need to pay attention to the age rating, as well as what sort of content the game contains. While you may be happy to give your kids a couple of years leeway, it is worth being aware that many games are so graphically advanced these days that the violence can be quite extreme and realistic. Perhaps you can get some advice from other parents about specific games to get a better idea of whether the content is suitable or not.
Activate Parental Controls
When it comes to online and smartphone games, you can activate parental controls to ensure that your kids aren’t downloading anything unsuitable. Your kids may not thank you for setting limits, but it will give you peace of mind that they are not playing any games which you may not want them to.
Set Gaming Time Limits
Video games are so immersive these days that it can be difficult for kids to control the amount of time that they are spending on them. So, you may have to spend time limits yourself to encourage them to take part in other more active pursuits. While there is nothing wrong with video gaming as a habit, too much of anything is a bad thing. You may find that it is an ongoing battle to make sure that your kids stick to the limits, but they are worth reinforcing as much as possible.
Play Games Yourself
If you don’t play video games yourself, you may wonder what all the fuss is about. However, start playing and you may find that you have a new bonding activity which you can enjoy with your kids. You may even find that you find that you develop a new hobby yourself so why not trying playing a game like Final Fantasy 15? It is much easier to understand the hobbies of your kids when you take part in them yourself.
With the advance of video game technology and availability these days, there are so many opportunities for kids to play and enjoy them. However, you need to take the effort to make sure that you are controlling their habits so that they are not spending too much time playing. These four tips provide you with just a few basic tips on how to achieve this.
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