What do I need to know about video games and kids?
Many video games emphasize autonomous action rather than cooperation, violence over creative conflict resolution, and depict others as aggressive adversaries. It's no wonder that many parents and experts are concerned about what kids learn from these games.  Find out more from the links on this page.
To learn more about video games and what the research shows, explore these links:

• ERIC Digest: Video Games and Children
• American Academy of Pediatrics testimony on video game violence (Chicago City Council, October 30, 2000).
• PBS has a Web site for its show The Video Game Revolution, which examines the evolution and history of the video game industry, the impact of video games on society and culture, and the future of electronic gaming.  Two essays of interest are:
• Do you know what video games your children are playing?—this issue is of interest, since about 2/3 of gamers are adults, yet parents tend to assume that games are made for kids, and not pay attention to what their kids are playing.
• Eight myths about video games debunked takes on what the author sees as common misperceptions in the public. 
• Game ratings and reviews can help parents decide what games are right for their kids, but ratings are no substitute for actually playing games to really know what the content is like.
• A parent’s guide to ESRB game ratings
• Video game ratings are not always accurate
• You can look up video game titles on KidScore, a media rating system that gives you some idea of age appropriateness in several categories.
• Common Sense Media also has video game reviews for families.

About video game and media violence:

• Culture Quake: an article from Mother Jones magazine about video game violence.
• Violent Video Games—Psychological research confirms that violent video games can increase children's aggression, but that parents moderate the negative effects.
• Violence in the Media--Psychologists Help Protect Children from Harmful Effects: Decades of psychological research confirms that media violence can increase aggression
• Psychiatric Effects of Media Violence—a fact sheet from the American Psychiatric Association
• Joint Statement on the Impact of Entertainment Violence on Children:  Congressional Public Health Summit—a statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, American Psychological Association, American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Psychiatric Association.

Related topics on Your Child :

• Media and Media Literacy
• Television—find out what the research says about how TV affects kids
• Managing Television:  Tips for Your Family
• Internet Safety
• Reading and Your Child

Compiled by Kyla Boyse, R.N.  Reviewed by faculty and staff at the University of Michigan
Updated May 2008

U-M Health System Related Sites:
U-M Pediatrics

Our editorial policy
The information and links we provide are reviewed by University of Michigan developmental and behavioral pediatricians and child psychologists who are experts in child behavioral health. In choosing the links we provide, we use strict criteria to ensure that the information is accurate, and the source is reputable. As much as possible, we focus on information that is based on research. In areas where there is inadequate research, we include information compatible with prevailing expert opinion.

This website is updated regularly, but because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, we cannot be responsible for misinformation that may be accessed through the links provided. As always, this website is not a tool for self-diagnosis, and is not a substitute for professional care.

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