ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE RATING BOARD MICHAELA JEFFREY FALL 2010

They are designed to provide concise and improper information about the content in both video and computer games so that consumers are able to make an informed purchase decision. The rating symbols tell the age appropriateness The content descriptors tell elements that may be of interest or concern.

FEATURES I LIKE The games not only have a rating but they have a reason as to why they are rated that way. Most major retailers won’t sell games that do not have a rating. There are extra resources provided by ESRB for parents to research games going beyond just believing the rating they have provided

ADVANTAGES This rating board is that it gives consumers a “heads up” before they actually purchase a video or computer game. The ratings are on the cover of the games so parents can identify a game that their children may have gotten a hold of Many major retailer work with ESRB to ensure the age restrictions are followed by requiring identification for those games intended for 18+

DISADVANTAGES There is a process to a game become rated which can become long The ratings given to the game may not go along with exactly what parents may think or feel Not all retailers work with the ESRB to protect children & some will sell adult games to minors

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS Parents have to be careful not to purchase software with ratings that are not suitable for their children by knowing what each rating means Some games have previews or samples online that children can easily get to Students should be careful in the classroom with games that are not appropriately rated for school use.

EXAMPLES This means it is suitable for Early Childhood children This means the video is suitable for everyone This means that the video is meant for adult ages to use only

REFLECTIVE STATEMENT Can be used in order to make sure that the educational programs used are age appropriate. Can be used to show students which software is appropriate & which is not.

LESSONS LEARNED ESRB is only a start to evaluating a game or video There is a lot of time and effort put into rating each game

REFERENCES

I would use the entertainment software rating board in the classroom. It is very good to use at school especially in early childhood with younger children. It is a good way for parents and teachers to screen what their students or children are using either at home or in the classroom. These ratings are also a good way to show children what games they would be interested in or would be appropriate for them to pick up in the store to buy. It is still necessary that teachers go through the software because although the rating committee may say it’s appropriate for your students there may be things you disapprove of in your classroom.