Should Parents Game With Kids'

The idea of parents and kids bonding over video games seems like a no-brainer to us.

MSNBC examines the issue in conversation with parents as well as a Seattle-based pediatrician. Brian Albright, father of 12-year-old Caleb, told MSNBC:

It is a shame that parents don’t see this as an opportunity for bonding, communication and supervision. Clearly, boundaries need to be set, but there are way more positives than negatives… Games where you're an actual soldier in combat I have trouble with. I find that it's more like a numbing effect to the harsh realities of war.

Commenting on Albright’s approach, pediatrician Don Shifrin said:

What he's doing is basically the essence of parenting, which is to say, find a way to have teachable moments. You could have the same sorts of discussions about music lyrics, and you could have the same sorts of discussions about Jamie-Lynn Spears, or drinking on 'Friday Night Lights.'

These are electronic devices that we're going to have to learn to live with, rather than avoid. It's much the same way that we talk about guns in America… we're going to have to learn to live in a society with guns, and with violence. It's the same way with video games. It's not something that parents can avoid, and if they do the youngsters will find them anyway.