MSA Info
Computer Games
What would be age appropriate games for children and teens?
As a parent you must feel that the technology landscape is continually shifting under you. So much changes quickly and frequently, you are not alone, and we appreciate your questions and feedback. Parents should periodically review the games their children are playing and to check them out via CommonSenseMedia or email: lstevens@msa.bm if you have any questions.
In mid-March an MSA Info went home to parents in regards to a game that was circulating around the school that Elementary students are playing called Five Nights at Freddy’s. It’s recommended for kids 12/13+ but students much younger are playing it. Parents may not know that the game is a horror game and the age recommendation.
The reason we are sharing information is that there is a concern, as some games are not appropriate for certain age groups and when your child does play them it does affect them. www.commonsensemedia.org is a great website to support your child in each grade with the best advice to help you navigate the current trends and how they affect your child.
Games to look out for that are not appropriate for a young age group:
- Five Nights at Freddys (age 12+) (https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/five-nights-at-freddys/user-reviews/child)
- Fortnite (age 13+) https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/fortnite
- Call of Duty (age 18+) https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-call-of-duty
- MadMax (age 16+) https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/mad-max
- Grand Theft Auto (age 18+) https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/grand-theft-auto-v
With summer approaching and students spending more time with screen media, there really is no magic number that’s “just right” for time spent looking at the screen. What’s more important is the quality of media and how you engage your child with it.
Here are some suggestions of appropriate games:
- Gun Free Action Games: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/gun-free-action-game-apps
- Gifted and Talented Kids: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/25-apps-and-sites-for-gifted-and-talented-kids
- Apps to Download before a flight: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/25-apps-and-sites-for-gifted-and-talented-kids
- Apps to Play with Tweens and Teens: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/15-great-apps-to-play-with-your-tweens-and-teens
You should handle games on a case-by-case basis, monitoring the content to ensure your child is protected. You should be watching out for how much violence, foul language or suggestive behavior your child is being exposed to.
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact lstevens@msa.bm or your classroom teacher.