ESRB & PTA

Educating Parents Nationwide About Choosing Appropriate Video Games for their Children and Families

Both the ESRB and the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) agree that parents should be as involved and informed as they can about the video games their children play, and teaming up to help parents understand the tools at their disposal is key to preparing them to make sensible choices for their kids. Building upon this shared commitment to informing parents, the ESRB and PTA continue to work together to provide easily accessible tools and resources that allow parents to make informed choices about the video games their children play.

While many of ESRB’s initiatives focus primarily on raising awareness and use of the ratings, the partnership with PTA also provides parents with valuable guidance and resources about computer and video games, parental controls and online safety, and is among the most extensive to date in terms of ground level support for communities nationwide. Beyond just providing useful information, the partnership with PTA also enables and encourages state and local chapters to educate parents in their respective communities about the ratings through their ongoing outreach activities and regularly scheduled meetings.

A Parent’s Guide to Video Games, Parental Controls and Online Safety

In April 2008, the ESRB and PTA teamed up to develop and distribute a booklet for parents that provides information about ESRB ratings, step-by-step instructions for setting up parental controls for all new game platforms (Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Sony PLAYSTATION3 and PSP, and Microsoft Vista), and guidance for parents about online-enabled games and what they can do to ensure that their child’s experience when playing games online is safe and secure.

The booklets were distributed to all 26,000 PTAs, and are available in both English and Spanish on both the ESRB and PTA web sites.

In support of the campaign, a webcast was created featuring ESRB president Patricia Vance, PTA national president Jan Harp Domene, and GamerDad Andrew Bub, who contributed an article to the booklet about online safety. The webcast provides parents with an opportunity to get information and advice straight from the experts, as well as ask questions about any of the topics being discussed.

ESRB/PTA Ratings Education Brochure

In Fall 2006, the ESRB partnered with the PTA to launch a nationwide ratings education campaign through which 1.3 million brochures were distributed to all PTAs throughout the country. In addition to offering the brochures in both English and Spanish, the PTA provides on its website useful resources and information to parents in a special section dedicated to video games. Parents should also visit the ESRB Parent Resources page for helpful tips as well as links to websites that provide useful information about family-friendly video games.

“Using the ESRB ratings and setting up parental controls are important, proactive steps that parents can take to make sure their kids are playing games they deem appropriate. And being aware of the risks posed by online-enabled games and what can be done to keep their kids safe when playing online is crucial information for parents. We’re very pleased to be offering them this guidance with the help of ESRB.”

—Jan Harp Domene, PTA National President

“Every parent knows how popular video games are these days, but perhaps not as many are familiar with the tools that can help them select games that are appropriate for their children. Just as with all media, we urge parents to be as involved and informed as they can. The ESRB ratings are informational and help parents to make sensible video game choices for their families.”

— Anna Weselak, Former PTA National President

“Ratings can only be effective if parents understand and use them, and though our research shows that most do, we can all agree that more can and should be done. This campaign not only helps drive home the message to parents that they should be actively involved in choosing games for their families, but also provides them the knowledge and understanding of the rating system to allow them to make informed choices.”

— Patricia Vance, President, Entertainment Software Rating Board

For more information information about ESRB Education and Outreach, click here.