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Entertainment Topics
Choosing Video Games for Kids
Here are the facts: Total U.S. retail sales of video game hardware, software and accessories grew 10 percent in 2002 over 2001. The video game industry generated $10.3 billion in record-breaking sales, surpassing the previous record high of $9.4 billion in 2001.* The healthy increase in sales was driven by the success of key franchises such as Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
What do you do when violent video games are atop your child’s list of must-have entertainment?
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This is a problem for parents. What do you do when violent video games are atop your child’s list of must-have entertainment?
The vast majority of people who play games do so with friends and family. Almost 60 percent of frequent game players play with friends, 33 percent play with siblings and about one-quarter play with their spouse and/or parents.
This trend will only increase. Parents need to make an effort to educate themselves about video games so they can model appropriate choices for their children. Specifically:
- How do you choose family friendly games? What types are there?
- How can you control the way the games are used once they’re
in your home?
The content of concern is graphic in nature. Hand-to-hand combat, shoot ’em up and blood-and-guts are just inappropriate for children and desensitize them to violence.
— Vicki Caruana & Chris Caruana
* Per the NPD Group, a leading market information company
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