Video game ratings are a problem. People are buying video games without looking at the little box with the rating. I went to Google, looked up ratings and I found an article called “Rating Video Game Violence.”

It said that 20 percent of video games were rated “T” or below. Another article, “Video Game Use by Children,” said that in 1985, 53 percent of games were violent. It was 82 percent in 1988. I also found about 87 percent of games are rated “M” (Mature) or higher, and only 13 percent of video games are rated “T” (Teen) or below now.

I took a survey, asking students about what is their favorite content in a video game, and less than two percent of them choose educational content. I went to Google again, and found that 40 of the 47 top-rated Nintendo games had violence as a theme; it also said that violence in a video game impacts the child playing it in the future.

I think that stores that sell video games should sort them by rating, or by system, and maybe place the “M” (Mature) or higher games on the top shelf. Then the “T” (Teen) games on the middle shelf, then lastly, the “E-10” (10+) or “E” (everyone) on the bottom shelf.

Parents should limit playing time and monitor their children.

Help make our community be more aware about ratings and what they mean.

Connor Coburn