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How Can You Stop Them?

If access to video games is cheap, easy and largely unobstructed, it might seem that banning kids from playing certain video games is a futile act. But the research says “no”, and so do the parenting experts. Both of these sources are on your side, but for different reasons.

Research has found that more than 80% of teens avoid playing video games that have been blacklisted by their parents. (1) Inherent within this study was a pre-qualifying factor that the parents of the gamer actually took an active role in reviewing and approving the child’s game selections.

Parenting experts go on to assert the profound importance of Mom and Dad’s opinion upon their offspring. Though it might not often seem it, teens do still look up to their parents and have trust in their opinions. It’s in their nature to push, cajole and guilt for more individual freedom, but hidden behind that indignant veil, kids still associate reasonable regulation with love and concern.

This issue isn’t about regulation or even authority, it’s about the transmission of key family values, and the diligent pursuit of healthy goals. If a game or pastime infringes upon important family values, it is remiss for a parent to overlook it. Even if the child ultimately plays the game at his friends house, he or she needs to know that he does so without the endorsement of his family. The lack of family approval serves as active reinforcement. It echos your sentiment, even in your absence. It can even impose a very effective feeling of guilt upon the sneaky gamer. Never allow yourself to feel impotent, simply because you can’t watch them 24/7. The occasional foray needn’t become a disciplinary issue with you. Sometimes, a little “I’m sorry to hear that you enjoy playing that. Our family looks down upon those things, even if its only pretend”, can carry a great deal of weight. As the ole’ MpoweredParent adage goes, “Influence what you can, where and when you can, and let your family values do the rest.”

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1. Roberts, Foeher, and Rideout,: Kaiser family Foundation