A Crash Course on the Entertainment Software Association's Video Games Rating System

In 1994, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) established the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) to voluntarily review and rate video games as guidance for parents concerned about the content of the games their kids played. The video games rating system that resulted has become a familiar part of North American entertainment culture. Commercials for video games rated by the ESRB routinely begin or end with a ratings disclaimer, and it is displayed prominently on the packaging for nearly every game sold in the United States and Canada.

You'll find video game ratings marked clearly on the front and back of a video game package. Look for the postage-stamp sized logo with one of the following abbreviations for the ESRB's video games rating system:

• EC - Early Childhood

• E - Everyone

• E10+ - Everyone 10-older

• T - Teen (13-older)

• M - Mature (17-older)

•AO - Adults only

•RP - Rating pending

A video games rating system certainly is useful for parents concerned about exposing their children to excessive violence or other inappropriate content. Yet, just as important is protecting kids from prolonged exposure to any form of electronic entertainment, regardless of content. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends kids age 2-18 spend no more than two hours per day in front of the TV, playing video games or browsing the Internet.

The Mikko Que is a revolutionary tool to help parents control the amount of time their kids devote to electronic entertainment. Contact Mikko USA today to learn how to use the Que to avoid or help treat a potential video game addiction.

Media Management for Children ... It's time.