Dr Jeff Brand, Bond University, Centre for New Media Research and Education
Games contain a lot of content that can be deeply compelling, historically relevant, and artistically beautiful. This is a powerful medium full of positive outcomes - and ideally, one that is a normal part of the home entertainment ecology.
Research suggests that parents who take an active interest and are involved in their children's gaming behaviour are more likely to set rules, have a better understanding of appropriate content and ensure valuable gaming interaction with their children. There's a huge generation gap - if you're a non game-playing adult, you're likely to be one generation older than those who do.
We've found concerns held by parents and older generations about video games erode once they become involved with the medium. Because it's an interactive experience, there are more opportunities for parents and children to engage and communicate with one another than for passive media such as television. leave feedback
Andrew Parsons, founder of gameparents.com.au
Gaming exposes quite a few important learning questions - it's no longer just an exercise to develop good hand/eye coordination. Parents who actively engage in games with their children gain the benefit of being a lot more aware of what's going on with their children's development and interests.
Kids don't learn the same way as our generation did. Modern education is now a lot more interactive and reliant on engagement. We can see the effect of this generational change outside of the home - witness corporations building simulations in game form to cater to a new generation of executives and employees.
Australia's ratings and classification system is useful in helping parents decide what is appropriate, but just as important is the ability for parents to decide their child's individual capability by engaging in games activity with their children. leave feedback
Lisa Wilkinson
The electronic aspect of living in the 21st century is not going to go away, and we've discovered through trial and error that we need to accept this reality. Instead of completely railing against it, we've chosen to share the experience with them. By involving yourself with your kids gaming activities, you ensure that you are there to monitor responsible amounts of game play. It also means they are only consuming content that is appropriate for their age and development. leave feedback
Gameplay Australia 2005 Concise Report Online
The Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia (IEAA) has put the recently promoted Gameplay Australia 2005 report online, it provides thoughts and habits of Australians in relation to computer and video games. For the IEAA website, click here.
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Working Party on the Information Economy DIGITAL BROADBAND CONTENT: The online computer and video game industry - OECD Games Paper
Digital content and digital delivery of content and information are becoming increasingly ubiquitous,driven by the expanding technological capabilities and performance of delivery platforms, the rapid uptake of broadband technologies and improved performance of hardware and software. Network convergence and widespread diffusion of high-speed broadband has shifted attention towards broadband content and applications that promise new business opportunities, growth and employment...
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Essential Facts about the Computer and Video Game Industry
- Entertainment Software Association - 2005EssentialFacts
Whether we like it or not, this is the medium of our moment. It is a medium that is telling our cultural story, and the fact that it is a primary tool of youth and adolescents means it will have a tremendous impact on how the next generation or two plays...
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Computer Games their effects on young people: A Review
- Kevin Durkin PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology
The University of Western Australia
- Research - Computer Games - their effects on young people
The Office of Film and Literature Classification, which interprets legislation on behalf of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General, has commissioned a review of the literature relating to interactive computer games...
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