Resources for Parents - Video Games

Talking to kids about racial stereotypes

Racial stereotypes abound on television, and children's programming is no exception. The turban-wearing bad guy, the brainy Asian, and the Black basketball whiz are just a few of the stereotypes reinforced in children's cartoons, films and TV shows. Spotting these stereotypes is often difficult for children; to them, the tomahawk-wielding Indian or the Asian karate expert is a familiar, easily-understood and often funny character. So how do you help children understand these images for what they are – oversimplified, generalizations?

Diversity in Media, Movies, Stereotyping, Television, Video Games, Visible Minorities

Tablet Parenting Fail

Well, it happened: we had a parenting fail when it comes to technology.

Internet & Mobile, Video Games

Games - Introduction

Unlike movies or books, games are unique because they focus on agency and interactivity, meaning player do things rather than just watching or listening.

Video Games

Your Connected Life: A Teen’s Guide to Life Online

The Your Connected Life guide is designed to help students who are just entering high school balance the demands of their offline life with their digital one.

Digital Citizenship, Digital Health, Internet & Mobile, Online Ethics, Social Networking, Video Games

Co-Viewing With Your Kids

One of the most important things you can do to raise media-savvy kids is what’s called shared media engagement. That includes listening to their music, watching TV, movies and videos together, getting to know their favourite apps and playing the games they enjoy. It also includes talking to them about their media lives: what they like, what they’re excited about or looking forward to, and what worries or annoys them. While just being with them is an important step, this is also a great opportunity to help your kids think critically about the media they consume, by asking them questions about it and, sometimes, answering back.
Internet & Mobile, Movies, Music, Television, Video Games