Technology change your kids.

As parents you became so good in guiding your kids on what movies or television shows to watch, what music to listen to, what clothes to wear because you are exposed to them, you see them, you read about them…in short you are well informed.

So, when it comes to video games how come you are often left "clueless"?

Let’s face it, gone are the days when you fully understand and actually play the video games your kids are playing. How could you, by the time you understand and actually play one game there comes another.

For some parents, playing a video game these days can be so overwhelming. Be it a PSP, Xbox, Play Station 3, Nintendo Wii, etc, you can’t keep up with the fast advancements in games.

So what do you know about these games? How will you know which games are appropriate or not for your kids? Fact is, kids are now turning to games rather than watching the television. They are glued on televisions alright but not watching TV shows that you have total control of but glued on video games. With so much games coming out and with so little time to fully understand (so as to play them), how can you as parents arm ourselves so that you could protect your kids from these "hypnotic" games?

Now here are some things to consider before rushing to the store armed with our hard-earned cash or credit cards.

First, know what games your child is interested in or what game does your child wants to play with. Most often than not, kids already know what game they will buy. If your child demands you to buy "Patapon" or "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed" you should first check out what this game is about. Searching it online will give you adequate information. Popular websites such as Gamefaqs.com, Gamespot.com and Play-asia.com will give you an overview

of what the game is about.

These websites contain information such as the game’s features, description, ratings, reviews and sometimes its price.

Second, take note of its rating system. Just like the movies and television shows, video games also have its rating system. The Entertainment Software Rating Board or ESRB is an organization that guides the consumers, especially parents, as to the age-appropriateness and content of video games.

It helps you decide which games are suitable for your children. All games that you can possibly buy in the store are rated by the ESRB.

The ESRB rating system has 2 parts, the "rating symbol" (for age appropriateness of the game) found on the front of the box and the content descriptor (refers to the elements of the game that may have contributed to that rating) found on the back.

It’ll be of much help if you familiarize yourselves with the rating symbols.

· Games rated EC which stands for "early childhood" are games appropriate for ages 3 and older. Games such as Dora the Explorer, Elmo’s Number

Journey falls in to this category.

· Games rated E for "everyone" is appropriate for ages 6 and older. The New Super Mario Brothers, Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga, and High School Musical: Sing It available in Wii are popular choices.

· E10+ for "everyone 10 and older" may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence. Final Fantasy, Guitar Hero: On Tour, Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures are only a few of the most popular choices in this category.

· T for "teens" have contents that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. The game may contain violence, minimal blood, simulated gambling or infrequent use of strong language. Popular games include Iron Man available in Xbox360 and Rock Band 2 Special Edition available in PS3.

Content descriptors play a vital part in the rating of some games. Some games may contain blood and gore which refers to games that depict blood and mutilation of body parts; some may display violence or crude humor. These games belong to the category as follows:

· Titles rated M for "mature" only appropriate for ages 17 and older and contains intense violence, blood and gore and sexual content.

· "Adults only" or AO should only be played by ages 18 and older for these games contain prolonged scenes of intense violence and or graphic sexual content and nudity.

· Games rated with RP for "rating pending" are the games that are already submitted to ESRB and are in the process of final rating.