Managing your teens and their video games
While working on today’s story about teens and video gaming, I spoke to a few people about the difficulties that some parents face when trying to figure out which games are right for their children.
In particular, I’m thinking about those parents who aren’t gamers. In some ways, it’s sort of like asking someone to approve or disapprove of a food dish they’ve never tasted.
Or, in the words of Monica Evans, an assistant professor of computer game design at the University of Texas at Dallas: “It’s not like picking up a book, where you can skim the pages to see what it’s all about.”
I don’t have kids myself. And my dogs - while quite smart - lack the dexterity required to operate game controllers. But I wonder how you parents go about the business of monitoring gameplay.
Do you do anything more than rely on video game ratings? In the Pew study about teens and gamin, 74 percent of parents said they always or sometimes check those ratings before letting kids play a game. And nearly half said they have stopped their kids from playing a particular game.
Tim has covered a wide range of topics, including tourism, crime, aviation and gambling, since becoming a reporter in 1990. The Oklahoma native joined the Post-Dispatch in 2007 after spending nine years in Orlando. In his spare time, he's often exploring one virtual world or another. He can be reached at tbarker@post-dispatch.com. 
Monica Evans is wrong. It’s just not a book that you pick up. Visit any major gaming site, read the reviews and check out the screenshots. If you can’t garner enough information from that, go to GameStop and ask the clerks.
The only catch with that is to watch out for the snobby clerks. Unfortunately, there is a growing number of elitist clerks who think that your simple questions are below them. I find that pointing out that I’m probably younger (most of the ones I’ve come across seem to be in their early 30’s) than they are and make at least 4 times what they do an hour is a great way to bring that ego crashing down. I’ve only used this tactic once at West County Mall. It really did shut him up, though. (NOTE: I don’t really care about it. I’m not an elitist, but sometimes you just have to fight fire with fire.)
Go into the store and get a feel for the staff. If you want a good store, I know the one in Warrenton is awesome. There is also a couple of people at The Mills who are very nice.
I find that the female employees are much more approachable.
While you’re in GameStop, become an Edge member. It’s $10 or $15 per year and you get a subscription to Game Informer magazine. Another great tool for research. In addition, it gives you discounts on used merchandise at the store. I LOVE that feature. Game Informer is probably the best game magazine that I’ve read. It covers all systems including PC (although it does focus on the consoles more). I believe it includes ESRB ratings if they are available.
Some sites that are good for reviews: IGN, 1up, Gamespot
Wait untill these kids are released into the real world and find out that they cannot control life with a joystick. Too many of todays youth spend way too much time attached to a video game that will not help them with their education or prepare them to live on their own responsibly.