Parents' Weekend To-Do: Play Video Games

Played your kids' video games lately?

No? You've probably checked the age rating on a video game before giving it the nod. But an Iowa State University psychologist told CNN that parents should play the video games their kids play to help them make good game choices.

That may not go over big in lots of houses. But Craig Anderson, co-author of the upcoming book, "Violent Video Game Effects on Children and Adolescents," is among researchers who believe there is a link between repeated violent video-game playing and aggression in kids.

For parents of young gamers, give the whole story a read. In the meantime, here are a few questions Anderson suggests parents ask when playing their kids' video games:

• Do people harm others, and do so frequently?

• Is the harm rewarded, or portrayed as funny?

• Are nonviolent solutions offered, and if so, are they less fun than the violent ones?

• Are realistic consequences of violence shown?

If two or more of the answers are yes, Anderson advises parents help their kids find other games to play.

There are lots of other games that don't have violence in them that are equally entertaining, and from a societal view, more healthy, Anderson says.

MLB The Show gets all the PS2 airtime in our house. I must admit I haven't played it, but I don't think the players are hitting each other over the head with bats. But you never know...

Pick up a controller this weekend. Think of it as some air-conditioned bonding time with your kids if it's still killer hot outside. No pun intended.