Wired’s ‘Geek Dad’ writer Andy Robertson has written a great article pointing out
“we spend a lot of time and money informing families of what isn’t appropriate.”
But the current ratings system for age appropriateness doesn’t help with the selection of games which might be suitable for different ages, stages and families in a positive way.
For example, Robertson cites Wipeout HD on the PS3 as
“…a real hardcore game, but because of the six-axis tilt steering and strong driver assistance feature it is also a great first driving game for the very young. My three-year-old son not only enjoyed the bright, crisp visuals, but could actually complete a race in this fashion too.”
People often think a moderation company like Tempero must advocate anti-fun restrictions on everything digital. While we do take child safety seriously, we champion that technology is now an essential part of young people’s lives and provides unrivalled opportunities to socialise, learn and develop – when risks are minimised.
The value of learning through gaming was recently recognised by one New York school which has replaced text books and exams with the likes of Little Big Planet. Could this be a future education trend?
Check out the guides at www.familygamer.co.uk which give info on what a game is like but also which family members would get the most out of the experience.
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Tempero on Google+
