Quarantine at home. Do you know what your child is playing?

08 april 2020

Due to the possibility of coronavirus infection (COVID-19), experts recommend to limit activities outside and stay at home. It is a difficult time for everyone, especially for children. They have limited contact with their peers, the lessons take place remotely, meaning the youngest have less possibilities to be active and spend much more time on the Internet.

Various portals and sociologists encourage people to engage children with interesting and inspiring activities apart from learning. Online games are one of them. They have as many supporters as opponents. However, in a situation where we spend more time with our family at home, it is easier to verify what our child is playing. It also creates the opportunity to have fun together.

Age-appropriate games

Good educational age-appropriate games support cognitive, emotional and social development. They improve thought processes, concentration and perceptiveness. Games that are inappropriate for a child, e.g. containing violence and aggression, may in turn lead to increased negative behavior and hostility towards others. Therefore, it is important that parents and guardians consciously buy or choose computer games for their children.

Do you know what the PEGI classification means?

Pan European Game Information, PEGI – European computer game rating system. Created by Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) in April 2003, currently used in 32 countries. As of September 2009, PEGI markings are the only officially valid game markings.

The entrepreneurs are not required to send games for verification by the Committee operating at PEGI. But many leading producers send all the games they produce for evaluation.

PEGI classification is dived into two parts. In the first one, the minimum age is chosen, indicating for whom, in terms of age, the game should be available. The second part is connected to the key elements shaping the child's psyche and concerns e.g. violence, discrimination or erotic materials.

The signs used on games

Restrictions	Information
Appropriate for ages rated 3+	The content of the games marked in this way is considered suitable for all ages. A certain amount of violence is allowed in a comic context (like "Tom and Jerry"). The characters should be a figment of fantasy. Games should not contain sounds or images that may scare a child. There should be no vulgarity, scenes containing nudity or references to sex life.
Appropriate for ages rated 7+	Games are similar to games from the group aged 3+, but contain sounds or scenes that could potentially frighten the youngest. In these games scenes involving partial nudity, but never relating to sex life, are allowed.
Appropriate for ages rated 12+	Computer games for this age category show violence against fantasy or human-looking characters. There may be references to sex life, but they must be very gentle. Just like the vulgarities appearing in the game. These types of games may include gambling, which is actually played in casinos or gambling points.
Appropriate for ages rated 16+	This symbol is given if the violence or sexual act look like what they really are. Games for this age group may contain sharper vulgarity, and may also include content on smoking, drinking alcohol or using drugs. In addition, they may contain content about games of chance.
Appropriate for ages rated 18+	This symbol indicates games for adults. They can include gross violence, including realistic killing. This category also includes games where the characters use drugs and consume other dangerous substances. Realistic scenes and behaviors related to sex life also appear in these games.

Icon	Content descriptor	Explanation	Corresponding age ratings
	Violence	The game contains depictions of violence.
	Sex	The game contains nudity or sexual behavior or references to sexual behavior.
	Discrimination	The game shows cases of discrimination or contains material encouraging the minors to discrimination.
	Drugs	The game refers to or depicts the use of illegal drugs, alcohol, or tobacco.
	Fear	The game may contain pictures or sounds that may be frightening or scary to young children.
	Bad language	The game contains bad language.
	Gambling	The game contains elements that encourage or teach gambling.
	Online	The game may contain online interactions.

Where to look for suport?

If you suspect that your child may be addicted to games and you do not know what to do, you can get free anonymous help from specialists at 800 100 100 or by email helpline@helpline.org.pl on the Parents and Teachers' Phone on Child Safety. It is a contact point for parents who need support, information and psychological help for children who have problems such as: aggression and violence at school, cyberbullying and threats related to new technologies, sexual abuse, contact with psychoactive substances, depression and depressed mood, suicidal thoughts or eating disorders.