Reuters is reporting from its retarded journalism experiment in Second Life that increasingly parents are playing games and most often with their kids. "We're really seeing an emerging generation of parents who are also gamers," said Paul Lundquist, research expert with the Harrison Group.

"An online survey of 1,014 U.S. children and their parents, conducted by market researcher Harrison Group -- and commissioned by U.S. game publisher Activision -- found 58 percent of parents surveyed said they play video games and more than half this time is spent with their children."

The survey also found that nearly 3/4 of parents are just fine with video games being a part of their family life. Of course no article is complete without the idiots chiming in about the danger of violent video games for children. It's nice to see evidence that the vast majority of parents out there are realistic and rational. All to often the hysterical extremes hijack the public discourse when human tragedy and an easy scapegoat present themselves.

An astute observation on reactionary politics within the US today. It's like looking through the clear plastic baggie at the airport at your 4 oz shaving kit.

I have a family and gaming is one of the ways we spend time together. We also hike, ski, play sports, read, etc. which last I checked did not have a congressional task force associated with it since Ahhhhnold became the gubernator.

Media in general requires responsibility on the part of parents as well as publishers and distributors.

Parents need to actually engage in the act of playing/watching tv with their kids to better explain and understand the meaning and context of situations presented in games and on TV.

As for games I would recommend pre-screening if you have the time. This has several distinct advantages a) you can see what litle Johnny is playing b) you get to have some alone time playing games c) you can school little johnny for the first few weeks when you play together with him.

As for publishers and in particular networks. I actually think that the media model in non- connected games is extremely safe in that there is very little potential to stray outside of the esrb ratings most games employ. As for television it is a far different story. It is often difficult to watch sports or other shows outside of the disney channel without having advertising for some blockbuster movie or "hot new Show on Fox" where the implications of violence and other adult behavior (read:sex) is splashed in front of the kids who are watching.

No wonder girls dress to kill at a young age, its the only product they see out there.

Is one an idiot because one does not shy away from the topic of violent games?

No. The idiots I mean are the ones that play on peoples fears about things they know little about. For any shift in the popular culture there will be opportunists who take advantage of the situation for their own ends. Be it burning Beatles records or going to court to try and legislate parenting.

Legislate parenting? Now there's an idea! (note to self)