If you live in a home with children ages three to 17, it’s unlikely the video game craze has escaped you. Overshadowing the popularity of more traditional media, console, portable and PC games are the heavyweights of the entertainment industry. At the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show, Activision’s Mike Griffith spoke to the trend that’s influencing over 90 percent of American families. “Movies, recorded music and television—these are all stagnating or contracting entertainment sectors. Video games are poised to eclipse all other forms of entertainment in the year ahead.”

But if you’re like many consumers, it’s not the sheer growth of the video game industry that bothers you. Instead, it’s the prevalence of raunchy, violent games with graphic bloodshed and sexual content. And even if you manage to steer your kids clear of games like Grand Theft Auto, Urban Reign, Doom and Resurrection of Evil, they’re probably still encountering ethically questionable material in mainstream games rated “Teen” and “Everyone 10+.” You could buck the trend and outlaw video games in your home—but you’re probably setting yourself up for family rebellion and frustration. Instead, consider the following tips for helping your kids become safe gamers.

1. Get involved in your family’s game selections. While parents can’t control the culture at large, they can teach kids what to value. When you model principled behavior for your children, they’ll have a foundation for making wise choices.
2. Encourage children and teens to play Christian video games. Christian PC games are growing in popularity among families who wish to forego violence and sexuality for clean, competitive fun.
3. Remind teens and children that video games are a privilege—not a necessity. Instead of allowing kids to play PC games as soon as they get home, consider “rewarding” them with 10 to 15 minutes of Christian video games after they’ve read a book or done their homework for an hour.

Created to appeal to both secular and faith-based audiences, Inspired Media Entertainment offers educational, casual and strategic Christian video games for all ages. The company’s popular Charlie Church Mouse, Left Behind: Tribulation Forces and Keys of the Kingdom PC games are popular among families, children and teens seeking a safe, interactive gaming experience.

The statistics are alarming. According to a recent study by Children Now, up to 89 percent of video games include violent content. Unfortunately, that’s not the worst of it. A 2003 Journal of Electronic Media study found that in 98 percent of games analyzed, violence went unaddressed—and unpunished. In over 50 percent of the same games, aggressors were rewarded for violent behavior. The same study found that children playing these video games for at least 40 minutes a day may encounter over 5,400 monthly acts of violence.

If you spend much time researching the impact of video games on kids, you’re likely to come to mixed conclusions. Some studies indicate that children are more likely to engage in fights, become aggressive with peers and act out at home if they play violent console and PC games regularly, while other studies conclude there’s no proven link between video game violence and real-world aggression. So what should we think?

Like many other parents you may be concerned about the violence your child consumes—on TV, in magazines and in video games. And while you’re concerned about whether that violence is impacting their behavior, there’s more to consider, here. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (ESV)

Based on this verse, it’s important for us to think about the context of video game violence—and aggression in general. Is some of it “just” and “honorable”? Yes. However, the gratuitous, gory—and repeated—video game violence against unarmed defenders, women and children should cause parents to take pause. Whether you’re seeing behavior changes at home or not, it’s likely your child is emotionally, psychologically and spiritually affected by the media they consume. Do we really want to take that chance?

If you’re searching for positive alternatives to the video game violence found in Wii, portable and PC games, visit Left Behind Games. Secular and faith-based families will appreciate the educational, Biblical and strategic qualities that emerge in Christian video games like Keys of the Kingdom, Charlie Church Mouse and Left Behind: Tribulation Forces. Striving to integrate positive values, educational opportunities and spiritual lessons, Left Behind Games is committed to helping you protect and nurture your children.

For many children, too many after-school and weekend hours are spent watching TV or playing video and PC games—especially when parents aren’t home to control media consumption. Last week we discussed the mental benefits of games like Left Behind and Keys of the Kingdom—things like reduced tension, distraction from pain, improved patience and advanced hand-eye coordination. And while it’s important to understand the positive qualities of today’s media options, it’s also critical for parents to (1) control PC game use by children/teens, and (2) educate themselves about the dangers of video game addiction.

You’re probably thinking, “Not my kid.” Or—you may be wondering if your child is really addicted. Watch for the following symptoms of unhealthy game obsession:

• Disinterest in playing outdoors or engaging in physical activity
• Family conversation dominated by PC game banter
• Increasing unwillingness to help around the house, participate in family time, read, go to church or spend time with friends
• Confrontational attitude or constant complaining when asked to turn off a game
• Falling asleep in school
• Restlessness and irritability
• Physical concerns like nausea, headaches, blurred vision, repetitive motion injuries and hypertension

How can you protect your family against this toxic, worldly problem? First, recognize the danger. Like a drug problem, video game addiction is pervasive—seeping into every area of your family’s life. Next, make sure you’re monitoring your kids’ gaming choices and restricting game time—even when kids are playing healthy games like Left Behind and Charlie Church Mouse. Remind kids that God time, family time, homework and relationships come first—and model that for your children on a daily basis.

For more practical tips about preventing—and managing—PC and video game addiction, tune into next week’s blog. In the meantime, visit Left Behind Games for family-friendly, Biblically focused entertainment you can feel good about.

Activision-Blizzard and acclaimed video game developer Infinity Ward are celebrating the recent, record-breaking release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2—reported to make over $310 million during the first 24-hours of sales. According to the Christian Science Monitor, the game will likely be “the most successful video game of the year—at least among devoted gamers.” But despite the sequel’s unmatched profitability, a growing contingency of critics are attacking it for its realistic depiction of violence.

Even proponents of Modern Warfare 2 can’t argue that its theme is one of fast-and-furious, brutal force. In one portion of the game, players are obligated to shoot innocent, airport bystanders to continue their undercover infiltration of a terrorist cell. “We push the story,” said Vince Zampella, Studio Head at Infinity Ward, during an interview with Fox News. “We want the player to be emotionally attached. We want them to be emotionally shocked.”

According to British journalist Charlie Brooker, Modern Warfare 2 is a technical masterpiece, but “…it’s not so much a game as a borderline nightmare experience.”

And while many people view this type of ultra-violent game as nothing more than fantasy stress-relief, other families are gravely concerned about underage exposure to console and PC video game violence.

So, as Christians, how concerned should we be about games like Modern Warfare 2? Games containing so much bloody atrocity that manufacturers create ways for viewers to skip the so-called “disturbing” scenes? Concerned enough, perhaps, to monitor the games our children and teens are playing a bit more closely? Concerned enough to model healthy media choices—and talk with our kids about alternatives to violent entertainment?

As Christian parents, we know that God created us to guide our children—and help them make sound decisions until they’re old enough to make their own. Decisions that help them fulfill Paul’s call (Phil. 4:8) to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable. So this Christmas, let’s rethink—and maybe even forgo—portable and PC video games that capitalize on senseless violence.

Stumped about stocking stuffers? Visit Left Behind Games (Inspired Media Entertainment) for safe, Biblically sound PC games for everyone in your family. Left Behind Games is the leading supplier of Christian PC video games. Look for our products in 100 Walmart stores in Dallas and Houston area. It’s here that we’re testing these Biblically based, family PC games on the mainstream market—and prayerfully hoping that an increasing number of consumers will come to understand the value of video games designed around something other than violence, gore and cruelty.

**Texas residents searching for Walmart stores carrying Left Behind Games can visit www.leftbehindgames.com/walmart for more information.