1. The games create elaborate and complex worlds.
2. The games never stop – they go 24 hours a day/7days a week.
3. Gamers play with others, a team, made up of players from all over the world.

So what’s not to like about this new creative pastime? They are tons of fun, engaging games for kids to play online. But the biggest, most crucial challenge for parents to look out for in online gaming is addiction:

- Online gamers seem to be the most easily addicted.
- The number of hours gamers play online tend to be high.
- The people who report addictive symptoms are more likely to be online gamers.

It’s important for parents to set down and enforce rules of play in advance. Once online gaming is out of control, it’s hard to get it back under control. If you decide your child is old enough for an online game, tell them they can try it for a trial period to see if can follow the rules.

Here are three rules to consider:

1. Time limits: We recommend no more than 2 hours of total screen time (including videogames, TV, computer, etc.). What piece will online gaming have in your total time limit?
2. When: define the specific time when your child can play, perhaps after homework or household jobs are finished.
3. Consequences: Tell your child what will happen if he or she doesn’t follow the rules (and enforce it). Perhaps: “Won’t be able to play for ‘X #’ of days.”

Remember to follow the ratings to find games with appropriate content for your child. Also be aware that your child may be playing with team members who could be much older – make sure you check in on their play. Keeping the online gaming computer out of kids’ bedrooms and in a common area of the house will help you keep track of your child’s play. Since these games run 24 hours a day, the temptation and pressure to engage with the game is very high.

To learn more about online gaming and how you can increase your Digital Parenting skill, see our Parent Guide to Online Gaming for more discussion and tips.

Help other parents – what has been your experience with online gaming with your child?

-Dr. Dave

Parents on the lookout for ways to balance their children’s real world experiences with online experiences have a new videogame from national zoos and the folks who study wolves for a living.  You can take on the persona of a wolf in Yellowstone National Park and learn what it means to survive.  Wolfquest was produced to entice kids back to learning about the world they live in, maybe even to be interested in wolf conservation.

The trick is to get the balance: real world and online world. Kids will always be attracted to adventure. Online adventure is easy and fun.  Real world adventure takes more imagination, sometimes. But it will also wire into kids’ brains experiences that will enable them to make sense of the world beyond their videogame set.

So it’s summertime, make sure your kids get the outdoor time they need to build their bodies and their brains.  Some parents even pack the video game system away for the summer. If you don’t do that then try the free download of Wolfquest -  maybe it will spark a further interest in one of the our country’s most interesting predators.

How do you balance your child’s real world and online world?

-Dr. Dave

The content in video game applications are not presently rated by iTunes.  Do parents trust the age ratings when no content is described?  What tool do parents use to keep inappropriate or adult and mature content off their kids’ iPod game player?

At the National Institute on Media and the Family, we support the recent call made by the ESA CEO Michael Gallagher to work with Apple to provide content ratings for game apps available at its iTunes Store.  Navigating the constantly changing world of media is challenging for parents. Providers of content should make parents’ jobs easier, not harder. Age appropriate video game content matters to parents, it should matter to Apple also.

If you have questions about content ratings for video games, television or movies, check out our free Parent Ratings Guide.

What’s your kids’ favorite video game?

-Dr. Dave