Hello, my name is Eric Rogers. Welcome to Parenting Gamers.
According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, “97% of teens age 12-17 play computer, web, portable, or console games.” (Teens, Video Games and Civics) The video game industry is projected to hit $70 billion by 2015. That is a lot of money and influence.
As a parent, I know the importance of understanding what my kids are into. I also know the frustration that comes from NOT understanding.
My daughter loves gymnastics. However, my only experience with it is watching the Olympics every 4 years. So I try to encourage her but I do not really know if sh is learning what she is supposed to or doing well for her age.
As the parent, it is my responsibility to learn. I need to know enough to be able to help her when she needs it. I also need to protect her from injury and bad information as best I can. It will not be easy but I need to do it for her sake.
The same is true if your child is into video games. The more you know about them, the better decisions you can make to encourage and protect your child.
The problem is there is a TON of information and misinformation out there about video games. It can be a bit overwhelming. My goal is to help you find what you need quickly and concisely.