ESAC and MNet Team Up for Media Literacy Week: Create Helpful Tip Sheet for Parents and Gamers

November 2, 2009,  Toronto - The Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC) and the Media Awareness Network (MNet) have collaborated on an informative Tip Sheet for Parents and Gamers just in time for Media Literacy Week.

Video and computer games have become a basic part of kids' lives.  According to ESAC's 2009 Essential Facts about the Canadian computer and video game industry, 57 per cent of kids aged 6-12 and 42 per cent of teens aged 13-17 play video games a few days per week. 

Often, many parents feel they don't know enough about the games their children are playing and worry about the role gaming plays in their kids' lives. Fortunately, there are steps parents can take to ensure that video games are a healthy and safe part of their children's lives, and a fun part of family life as well.

The Tip Sheet for Parents and Gamers has helpful information on choosing age appropriate video games for kids, understanding ESRB rating summaries, tips for managing video game play within the home and helpful ways to maintain open dialogue with your kids about their gaming habits. The tip sheet also includes a section on dealing with concerns parents might have about gaming and their kids, and strategies on how to deal with them.

In addition to the tip sheet, ESAC is pleased to announce that they are a Silver Sponsor for Media Literacy Week this year which takes place from November 2-6. "The ESAC is honoured to be a sponsor of MNet and their initiatives for Media Literacy Week," says Danielle LaBossiere Parr, Executive Director of ESAC. "We think this is a great opportunity and the perfect platform to publish a tip sheet for parents which supports the media literacy initiatives in Canada lead by MNet."

"We are very pleased to collaborate with the ESAC on this new tool for parents, says MNet Co-Executive Director Cathy Wing. "As the theme of this year's week is Media Literacy in the Digital Age, it is very appropriate that we work together to ensure that when Canadian children play video games it is a healthy and positive experience."

Parents and educators can access the tip sheet on the ESAC's official website at www.theesa.ca/parents.php as well as MNet's website at /en/digital-media-literacy/general-information/televisionvideo_games/upload/video_games_tip_sheet.pdf.

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The Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC) is dedicated exclusively to serving the business and public affairs needs of companies in Canada that publish and distribute computer and video games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers and the Internet. ESAC offers a range of services, including business and consumer research, government relations and a global anti-piracy program. Its members include the nation's leading interactive entertainment software publishers and distributors, which collectively accounted for more than 90 per cent of the $2.2 billion in entertainment software and hardware sales in Canada in 2008. The entertainment software industry currently includes 247 firms and 14,000 direct jobs and thousands more in related fields across Canada. For more information, please visit: http://www.theesa.ca.

Media Awareness Network (MNet) is a Canadian not-for-profit centre of expertise in media literacy. Its vision is to ensure children and youth possess the necessary critical thinking skills and tools to understand and actively engage with media. MNet's programs are funded by its public and private sector sponsors and partners, who include: CTVglobemedia, Canwest, TELUS, Bell, Canadian Internet Registration Authority, National Film Board of Canada and the Government of Canada.

For more information:

Allison Fitton for the Entertainment Software Association of Canada
High Road Communications
afitton@highroad.com
416.644.2296

Ann Marie Paquet Communications
Officer Media Awareness Network
apaquet@media-awareness.ca
613.224.7721 ext.231