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Do Video Games Worry You More Than Alcohol and Pornography?

By Dory Devlin - Wed Aug 13, 2008 2:00pm PDT
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Do Video Games Worry You More Than Alcohol and Pornography?

What They Play recently surveyed parents to find out what concerns them most when it comes to what their kids are exposed to every day. Does it surprise you that video games topped alcohol, violence and pornography?

In two separate polls, parents indicated they were less worried about their kids drinking alcohol and watching pornography than playing video games filled with sexual content and violence. And they were more concerned about the sexual content than the violence. When asked what they would be most concerned about their 17-year-old being exposed to during a sleepover, half of 1,600 parents surveyed said smoking marijuana. Here’s how the rest stacked up:

• Playing “Grand Theft Auto”: 19 percent

• Watching pornography: 16 percent

• Drinking beer: 14 percent

Since drinking and watching porn are pretty big concerns among most parents, I’m guessing video games top them because they are more of an unknown to most parents. Clearly, the point of the surveys is for What They Play to let parents know that the Whattheyplay.com is a good site to learn more about video games for kids of all ages, and it is. You’ll find info on just about every kind of game, along with reviews. Common Sense Media, which reviews all kinds of media for kids, has a games section, too, which includes reviews as well as parent and kids reviews.

The info is there for parents to dive into and find out more about video games. One of the best ways into this new realm is to take the time and play video games with your child from a young age, be it Webkinz or MLB 08: The Show. The unknown won’t be so unknown, and with the help of some excellent websites, we can learn more about the games our kids tell us they want to play (or may be playing already at friends’ houses.)

Are video games tops on your list of concerns for your kids? How do you monitor what they play? Share your thoughts in our comments!

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Other Parents Say…

Showing 1-9 Comments of 9

Posted by ladylynne1 Thu Aug 14, 2008 9:55am PDT

I have a 10 year old, video game addict. He is also an honor student and a very active boy. I allow him to play grand theft auto and mature video games. We play them together. Parents today rely too much on publisher and manufactures to do the parenting. If parents took more time out to actually raise and teach their children about right and wrong, instead of pointing the finger at video games, music and tv, the our children might have a chance of being responsible, well rounded, adults. My son and i talk about everything. and when i tell him that something is bad or not good for him and he asks why, i show him why. I pull it up on the internet and show him why he shouldn't drink or do drug and the effects it has. a visual and a good talk, takes away the curiousity. and helps him understand why it shouldn't be done.

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Posted by janessa t Sat Aug 16, 2008 7:33pm PDT

i think that video games, some are ok for kids to play but as far as grand theft auto for a ten yr old is alittle much, i mean that dont make you a bad parent or nothing. Me personally dont think the language is that great for a child to hear.

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Posted by Brenda Tue Aug 19, 2008 7:30am PDT

Try World of Warcraft a game at Wal-Mart. We have enjoyed it for something different

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Posted by CathieT Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:37pm PDT

I would like to know more about flyff its on the net

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Posted by bellsuzanne@sbcglobal.net Sat Aug 23, 2008 7:38am PDT

my daughter is 11 she loves video games like thrill vill and guitar hero as long as she does not play more than 30 min.45 tops i am not worried too much sometimes i will check and make sure nothing is wrong and nothing ever so not too worried about my child.

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Posted by dawood Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:18pm PDT

My favorite one is Grand Theft Auto and Die Hard Trilogy 2 which I played more interestingly. I think there are more modern games are launching now a days for coming generation. Stuartdenley WoW Gold

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Posted by nayli Sun Feb 8, 2009 4:49am PST

my dauther likes to play the computer everyday

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Posted by nayli Sun Feb 8, 2009 4:50am PST

my dauther likes to play the computer everyday

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Posted by fahad Fri Oct 2, 2009 5:09am PDT

i only allow my son to play rated E E10 or T games but nothing never up i dont want him his mind ruined with video games

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