<![CDATA[ESRB And PTA Launch National Parental Awareness Campaign - Kotaku Comments]]> <![CDATA[ESRB And PTA Launch National Parental Awareness Campaign - Kotaku Comments]]> <![CDATA[ESRB And PTA Launch National Parental Awareness Campaign]]> About time someone stepped in.

KM91

]]> <![CDATA[ESRB And PTA Launch National Parental Awareness Campaign]]> I find the arguments that parents are negligent if they give their children mature rated materials as bad as the parents who don't give a damn at all.

I was taught guidelines and I learned to use logic and reason. My parents taught me that the stove was hot and that it would hurt if I touched it, but if I damn well wanted to touch it anyway they wouldn't stop me. You know, the whole "We'll educate you the best we can but your the one that is responsible for your own decisions," type of thing. I've avoided a lot of things that would of been bad for my life at the cost of a few tiny bumps along the way. And this is the type of education that spans across all areas of life, not just video games.

voidbringer

]]> <![CDATA[ESRB And PTA Launch National Parental Awareness Campaign]]> I'm glad something like this is finally coming about. I love how he media and parents go all off on gaming and the content, but they don't realize that the ESRB was founded in 1994. I love when you would hear stories pop up a few years ago about states declaring that video games must be rated, etc... But indeed this country needs to stop letting the console do the baby sitting and get more involved in their children's lives.

Elderwulf

]]> <![CDATA[ESRB And PTA Launch National Parental Awareness Campaign]]> My parents raised me to lead a good life and have something called common sense. Even though my parents were ignorant of the ratings (because they grew up and lived a life of simplicity), I made it my responsibility to educate them on the ESRB ratings. They thank me because of it and they now know what is safe and whatnot. Even though I am of age, I can distinguish between fantasy and reality. As much as I hate to say it, it is also the children's fault for not informing the parents of the ratings of the games they are buying. They are taking the parents lack of knowledge for granted (or the kid could be spoiled), but it is also the parent's responsibility to get involved in their child's upbringing. Nevertheless, it's good that ESRB and the PTA are getting together to educate the parents. People can't say that they aren't trying to get the message out.

VitFer2007

]]> <![CDATA[ESRB And PTA Launch National Parental Awareness Campaign]]> I watched R rated films at a very young age and have managed NOT to kill anyone. I don't think it matters much what VG kids play. Getting spanked is more likely to make a difference and I bet to many of you were hit to think anything is wrong with that. Much bigger reasons a foot to waste money and time on this.

proust

]]> <![CDATA[ESRB And PTA Launch National Parental Awareness Campaign]]> jail? really? i see the ratings as more of a guide to let you know what to expect not as laws forbidding access. i watched R movies when i was youger. my family taught me what was real and fantasy. jailing parents sounds as stupid as the kid who tried to sue Spielberg cuase he got jurassic park toys but his parents said he couldn't see any PG 13 movies. guess they didn't get the parental guidance part.

j.howlett

]]> <![CDATA[ESRB And PTA Launch National Parental Awareness Campaign]]> @dead_red_eyes: Thanks, I'm pretty sure they are. Won't go on, but my folks are (IMO) amazing parents and my dad in particular is just the sort of father I aspire to be one day.

More on-topic: @Black_Ops_19: Dude that is my real pet peeve. "Oh God, I am POWERLESS to stop my children doing things I find inappropriate!!!" Wish parents would just grow a pair (disgustingly, that includes mothers) and stop acting like victims.

I understand that I can be easily slapped into my place with "you're not a parent, don't lecture us unless you know what it's like", and that's true to a point. Of course the problem with that is you set the example to future parents that parenting is a very passive occupation and heydoyouwannagogetabeer?thekidshavethenewgrandtheftautotokeepthe....

/rant...for now.

Kazzahdrane

]]> <![CDATA[ESRB And PTA Launch National Parental Awareness Campaign]]> @Kazzahdrane: So very true.

@Edmon: totally agree. If you've ever been to a parents house after work, its one thing, but come the weekend... its still the same thing. In most cases. Kids, I imagine, can be exhausting, but TV and Games should not be the only factor in their lives.

Black_Ops_19

]]> <![CDATA[ESRB And PTA Launch National Parental Awareness Campaign]]> "The campaign enables and encourages PTAs to educate their community's parents about the ESRB rating system and parental control technology available on the various game systems, as well as the concerns that exist when games are played over an Internet connection and what parents can do to mitigate those concerns."

It's about damn time somebody is doing something! If I hear one more "parent" scream that "my child should not be playing these violent games, and companies shouldn't be marketing them to children", I think I may scream.

Black_Ops_19

]]> <![CDATA[ESRB And PTA Launch National Parental Awareness Campaign]]> @Edmon:

I'm with you Edmon.

@Kazzahdrane: - "Do I resent them for it? Hell no. They actually gave a shit about my upbringing and decided they knew best. And I love them all the more for it."

Your parents would be damn proud.

dead_red_eyes

]]> <![CDATA[ESRB And PTA Launch National Parental Awareness Campaign]]> Hearing of education instead of regulation is a great service to society.

ComradeStalin86

]]> <![CDATA[ESRB And PTA Launch National Parental Awareness Campaign]]> @Edmon: It's so weird too that i'm pretty sure it's a crime to give a child porn but it's not a crime to give a kid an 18+ game.

Cchrist

]]> <![CDATA[ESRB And PTA Launch National Parental Awareness Campaign]]> @Edmon: I'm with you, to be honest. I'm still quite young (21), but my parents didn't let me watch rated films until I was the appropriate age. As it happens I didn't have any interest in rated games until I was old enough anyway.

Were my parents a little bit overly strict and could have trusted me a bit more? Sure.

Do I resent them for it? Hell no. They actually gave a shit about my upbringing and decided they knew best. And I love them all the more for it.

Kazzahdrane

]]> <![CDATA[ESRB And PTA Launch National Parental Awareness Campaign]]> As a non-American I'd like to ask: is this sort of info communicated to parents and children through schools or anything like that? Or do parents actually have to say to themselves, "Gee, I think I'm going to stop letting games and TV educate my kids and find out what their content is all about"?

Kazzahdrane

]]> <![CDATA[ESRB And PTA Launch National Parental Awareness Campaign]]> Because you just know that 7 year old kids are getting there hands on Manhunt 2. Really, if the parent's cared they would do something.

Solid_hedgehog

]]> <![CDATA[ESRB And PTA Launch National Parental Awareness Campaign]]> It's nice to hear of an organization embracing the ESRB instead of condemning the quality of their rating process and format.

moose_pants

]]> <![CDATA[ESRB And PTA Launch National Parental Awareness Campaign]]> [cynical]

I don't know if this was just me, but do you ever get the feeling that parents simply don't care anymore?

They are too busy with work and self advancement and just see games as an easy way to keep their kids quiet?

They don't need to educate parents on video game ratings, this stuff should be common sense. Instead what they should be doing is jailing negligent parents who get caught giving their kids 18 rated games.

I'm sure that'd make them pay attention.

[/Cynical]

Otherwise of course, it's a good idea. I guess. I still think it's pretty obvious already though.

Edmon

]]> <![CDATA[ESRB And PTA Launch National Parental Awareness Campaign]]> Good to see the campaign. Nice article. But, I miss the good ol' days when parental control consisted of a "Shut the hell up and go to your room" or parents just ripping video game systems from the t.v. and saying "Its mine now"

DanteODiabo

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