Despite software and video game industry self-regulation, parents must still take precautions before purchasing children and family software and video games.

Fortunately, many titles are kid-friendly; and many can be quite useful for families in general, such as planner organizers for daily family activities.

Unfortunately, family software programs may look kid-friendly from their packaging but may still contain inappropriate content, such as:

1. Crude or offensive language
2. Crude humor
3. Mild to intense violence
4. Sexually suggestive themes
5. Simulated gambling
6. Drug references
7. Alcohol or tobacco references

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get family application safety tips from reputable family organization websites

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) and the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) websites are among the prime resources for information about family application safety.

I recommend: The ESRB established the family software and games ratings displayed on product boxes--one of its primary achievements. Ratings include EC for Early Childhood, E for Everyone six years of age and older, T for Teen content, and AO for Adults Only. Read more about each of their product ratings and get safety tips at the ESRB website. The PTA not only offers extensive safety tips, its website has a step-by-step guide for setting up parental controls for video games.

Find lists of specifically recommended family programs or video games from reliable sources

There are reputable online resources that have annual lists of best video games and family software. These include information about content appropriateness.

I recommend: The American Library Association (ALA) has a yearly list of "Great Interactive Software for Kids." See the current list and past software product lists. Recommended by the PTA, the GamerDad blog recommends kid-friendly video games as well as edutainment (education/entertainment) software.

For safe Web surfing, consider getting family support programs

Family support programs include content control software, such as Internet filters. Parents use them to set up permissions to screen out specific categories of undesirable websites.

I recommend: NetNanny, one of the first content control programs, screens out eight categories of undesirable websites, including pornography, gambling, intimate apparel, adult/mature content, drugs/alcohol, chat sites, hate/violence, and illegal activities. Microsoft has a Content Advisor function integrated into their Internet Explorer browser. Learn how to configure these controls.

Find useful family software programs

Not all family software programs are strictly for entertainment purposes. For parents, family organizer software can help maintain busy schedules and activities, and it can keep family members in touch. For children, 'edutainment' software often provides valuable learning experiences.

I recommend: MyLinked Family and Jooners family organizer software not only schedule and track family activities, they also offer family member communication via email or SMS (short message service) text messaging. Down to Earth Software has downloadable family planning programs that include emergency phone numbers, medical information, and home safety features. EdutainingKids.com is an extensive resource specializing in product reviews on children's education software.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Note that gaming and online environments can still be risky despite these content control programs.
• •  Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to complain about violent or other objectionable content in family programs.