Hollywood has been quick to collaborate with the $10 billion-a-year electronic gaming industry, resulting in movies based on video games. This rapidly expanding industry is causing many concerned parents to ask — what are the negative impacts, or is it just harmless fun?

Respected author, journalist, speaker and writer Richard Abanes, a recognized authority on pop culture as it relates to religion, says that “most of today’s gamers (around 75 percent) are under 40 years old... They are the generation raised on games.” In his new book, What Every Parent Needs to Know About Video Games, Abanes explores the good, bad and ugly of the virtual world. Many parents don’t understand this youth obsession, so they either establish a strict “no gaming” policy or completely ignore what flashes on their kids’ screens. But, Abanes, an experienced gamer himself, offers parents a balanced take on this hot issue and tackles a thorough evaluation of games, their content, and what parents need to know. There is much to learn — how many people realize Christian games are available? Or that the US military is using some games to track and attract future recruits! Armed with information, parents can make better decisions — not just about what is shown in games, but how it’s shown... and what overall message is being delivered. Abanes will leave you informed and prepared to evaluate your family’s entertainment.

What Every Parent Needs to Know About Video Games is an excellent introduction to the gaming world for anyone unfamiliar with it. Whether you’ve never picked up a controller or can’t put one down, you’ll come away from this book with a better understanding of the next generation of entertainment.

What Every Parent Needs to Know About Video Games: A Gamer Explores the Good, Bad, and Ugly of the Virtual World With sales over $30 billion per year — approaching Hollywood’s annual box–office take — video and computer games are now squarely in the mainstream of entertainment. Author/journalist Richard Abanes — an experienced gamer himself — offers this concise survey particularly to parents and other concerned adults. He discusses subjects like positives and negatives of game–playing and game content, the rating system — its benefits and flaws, family–friendly games, those that aren’t — and recommendations, terminology and genres, such as sports, role-playing, shooter political­/cultural issues. The author’s unsensational approach will prepare readers to make better decisions — not just about what is shown in games, but how it’s shown... and what overall message is being delivered. Note: includes candid discussion of game content. USA UK Canada

Playstation Nation: Protect Your Child from Video Game Addiction The most popular video games are intentionally designed to ensure addictive appeal, and it works. One out of five kids becomes addicted to computer and video games, which are becoming increasingly more violent and are linked to violent and self-destructive behavior. The video industry continues to raise its revenue projections (expected to reach $33 billion by 2008) with the creation of newer, more advanced, and more addictive games, putting more children at risk. It can steal their time and interests by submitting their brains to a pleasurable chemical reaction similar to an amphetamine drug injection.  Spurred on by the patterns of addiction they saw developing in their own son, Olivia and Kurt Bruner arm other parents with hard facts about addiction and share personal stories of video game addicts to help parents identify the warning signs in their own children. USA UK Canada

Help! My Child is Hooked on Video Games: Dr Bill Maier It's "Game Over" For Video Games. Video games can be fun and entertaining, but what happens when your kid won't put down the controller? Help your children find a balance and lower your frustration level with this guide into the alluring world of video games. Learn why these games are so popular, why they can be dangerous, recognize the signs of addiction and more! Full of suggestions to combat this growing trend, you'll be able to help your family overcome its influence. Get quick, proven insights to the questions you've most likely pondered — and keep your family thriving! USA UK Canada

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