Watch What Your Kids Watch

Senator Joe Lieberman joined the National Institute on Media and the Family's founder David Walsh today in presenting the organization’s 11th Annual MediaWise Video Game Report Card. Lieberman has been a staunch foe of violence in video games. In 1993, he headed Senate hearings about violent games that led to the establishment of the Entertainment Software Ratings Board. And late last year he co-sponsored the Family Entertainment Protection Act, which would make it a crime to sell violent video games to minors.

While public policy can be helpful, nothing can substitute for a caring and involved parent. Apparently Senator Lieberman agrees. "Pay attention to the games your kids, our kids, are playing," said Senator Joe Lieberman. "It's really time to focus on the parents and urge parents to pay attention."

So what's all the fuss over a few video games. Aren't they just harmless entertainment? Over 1000 studies indicate otherwise.

• Almost half of all “heavy gamers,” are 6 to 17 years old
  
• Children who spend more time playing video games are heavier, and are more likely to be classified as overweight or obese. Furthermore, playing video games in the bedroom is an added risk factor for overweight and obesity.
  
• The amount of time kids spend playing video games is correlated with poorer grades in school and attention problems.
  
• Violent video game play increases aggression in young players in the short term. Additional studies show these effects last.

The American Psychological Association is also concerned and issued their own report in August 2005. You can read my previous blog post conerning their findings.

Kudos to Senator Lieberman and to all concerned parents who care enough to set limits and to get invovled in the lives of their children. It's 9:00 PM, do you know what your children are watching?