In our digital age video games and multiple gaming systems in the home are becoming as common as the computer.

How do you know which ones are safe for your 8-year-old son versus your teenager?

Did you know that some online games may provide child predators another way into your home?

Read on to learn about the gaming rating system and how to ensure you keep a new "Internet/online" door into your home closed.

ESRB Rating Symbols

	EARLY CHILDHOOD Titles rated EC (Early Childhood) have content that may be suitable for ages 3 and older. Contains no material that parents would find inappropriate.
	EVERYONE Titles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy, or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language.
	EVERYONE 10+ Titles rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) have content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older. Titles in this category may contain more cartoon, fantasy, or mild violence, mild language, and/or minimal suggestive themes.
	TEEN Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language.
	MATURE Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and/or strong language.
	ADULTS ONLY Titles rated AO (Adults Only) have content that should only be played by persons 18 years and older. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.
	RATING PENDING Titles listed as RP (Rating Pending) have been submitted to the ESRB and are awaiting final rating. (This symbol appears only in advertising prior to a game's release.)

While staying educated on the gaming rating system will help you purchase or rent the most appropriate game for your family, you should be equally proactive in understanding how the newer gaming systems are equipped with online/Internet capability.

You have taken a critical step in protecting your home computer by installing the Bsafe Online Internet Filter on your household computers, but have you reviewed the settings on your gaming system to ensure you are taking action to protect your child while gaming?

New studies show that child predators are using the online chat and video features within gaming consoles to get their foot in the door and begin the grooming process to lure kids into meeting in person.

Most of the newer gaming systems such as X-Box, Wii and Playstation have parental control options, these are disabled by default. Take a few minutes to research your gaming console and ensure you have equally protected your family while playing games!

Here are a few of the more common gaming systems’ websites:
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/
http://www.nintendo.com/wii/what/wiiparents
http://www.us.playstation.com/Support

Bsmart with Bsafe Online – keeping parents educated on Internet technology.

Visit www.esrb.com