he Parent Teacher Association is currently working with the Entertainment Software Rating Board in order to foster a stronger understanding of the video game universe in parents nationwide. Together, they have launched an educational campaign implemented in the form of physical and digital booklets titled “A Parents Guide to Video Games, Parental Controls and Online Safety.” The document is currently being distributed to all PTA’s nationwide – over 26,000 of them. The online version is free to download via both PTA and ESRB websites.

The booklet details a handful of things helpful to parents who feel clueless about the digital world, such as step by step guides to setting up parental controls on any particular system. An article about online safety written by Andrew Bub of GamerDad.com is also included to help parents find the best approach to teach their children safety online.

For those looking for a more in-depth learning experience, PTA national president Jan Harp Domene along side ESRB President Patricia Vance and Andrew Bub will join together for a free webcast on April 23 at 7pm EDT. Detailed explanations of the ESRB rating system, more information on parental controls and online game safety will be discussed. A Q&A session will conclude the broadcast.

Domene weighed in on the importance of their work, “Video games continue to be a popular source of learning and entertainment for children, but today's games provide players with new abilities to interact with one another via online play. Just as with the Internet, that kind of interaction carries with it some risks. Using the ESRB ratings and setting up parental controls are important, proactive steps that parents can take to make sure their kids are playing games they deem appropriate. And being aware of the risks posed by online-enabled games and what can be done to keep their kids safe when playing online is crucial information for parents. We're very pleased to be offering them this guidance with the help of ESRB."