Each of these gaming systems feature an online playing option. This feature allows gamers to play their favorite games online with people from all over the world. The real explosion with online gaming has come from other areas - such as the ability to get game demos, to access new content for your games, to communicate with friends, to create an online identity for yourself and even to download entirely new games or retro titles over the network. Multiplayer gaming is just a small part of what is now a much larger tapestry.

X-Box 360  has more online options than the most systems. In order to play online you do not have to pay a monthly subscription fee but to access most of the content available on x-box live you must pay a monthly fee to be a gold member. X-Box live offers gold members an extensive list of video games, T.V. Shows, and movies (many of which are rated R) that they can download to their system (for a fee). This makes it easier for you kids to download questionable content without your permission. The good news is the 360 does have parental controls. Which means you can decide what kind of content your child can download, you can also dictate who they can have contact with while gaming on-line. If set up properly this makes for a safer online gaming experience. X-Box live also offers voice chat, text messaging, and with the
proper accessory (not included with the system) video chat.

The PlayStation 3 online capabilities are not quite comparable to the 360 but they are working on a daily basis to upgrade their online experience. There is no monthly fee to play the PS3 online with other users. There is a play station store available where games and demos are available for download. (some are free others are not).

     The PS3 does offer a free web browser so if you have wireless internet access you can surf the web using your PS3 and your television would serve as a monitor. PS3’s online experience also offers text, voice and with the proper accessories (not included with the system) video chat.

     The PS3 also has parental controls, when set properly you can decide what content is appropriate for them to download.

The Nintendo Wii seems to offer the safest online experience. There is no monthly fee to play the Wii online with other users. Wii only allows open communication between users who have exchanged Friend Codes so communication is limited to users you want to interact with.

     Unlike the 360 the Wii also offers parental control options that allow you filter the websites that your child is allowed to view. Game are available for download some free but most cost. Movies & T.V. Shows are not available for download with this system.

1.) Better Graphics equals realistic scenes. Advances in technology has made this generations video gaming experience close to real life. Gory sciences in M rated games can be ultra-violent and look very realistic at the same time. When watching these games it is often hard to tell whether your watching a movie or a video game.

2.) Nintendo Wii- going through the motions. Their unique controlling systems allows you to be the one in charge. As you hold the controls in your hand the character on screen does the same thing you do. This can be a little overboard on The M rated games where you are making the motions to hit, shoot, and strangle your enemies. Nintendo’s gaming system is designed to be family friendly for the most part, but don't let that deceive you, like other systems they do offer M rated games.

3.) Parental controls: YOU’RE in charge: All three of these systems feature very good parental control options. This allows you to set a password on your gaming system and gives you the final word in what content you child is allowed to play on their gaming system. This option allows you to choose based on ratings, which games and movies you want your system to block. Each system operates a little differently so I suggest you check and see all of the parental options that are available to you. This goes a long way to ensure a safer gaming experience for your child

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings are designed to provide accurate and objective information about the content in computer and video games so you can make an informed purchase decision. ESRB ratings have two equal parts: rating symbols suggest age appropriateness for the game and content descriptors indicate elements in a game that may have triggered a particular rating and/or may be of interest or concern.

To take full advantage of the ESRB rating system, it's important to check both the rating symbol (on the front of the box) and the content descriptors (on the back).

EVERYONE
Titles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language.

TEEN
Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language.

MATURE
Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.

ADULTS ONLY
Titles rated AO (Adults Only) have content that should only be played by persons 18 years and older. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.

RATING PENDING
Titles listed as RP (Rating Pending) have been submitted to the ESRB and are awaiting final rating. (This symbol appears only in advertising prior to a game's release.)

     Although the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) has worked very hard to develop a rating system that works, it still has its flaws. The video game rating system exists to inform parents on the content that each game contains. This system is designed as a helpful tool for parents purchasing or renting their child these games.

     Unfortunately the majority of children who are renting and buying video games are doing so without the presence of an adult or in the presence of an uninformed adult. Unlike the movie rating system, all stores are not required by law to regulate who they sell M (mature) rated video games to. Which means in some cases children of any age can purchase games that contain sexual content, strong language and graphic content.

     Remember these ratings are simply guidelines to help parents know the content each game contains. Each stores policy varies with how they regulate the selling of M rated games but a recent survey showed that 50 percent of boys between the ages of 7 and 14 successfully purchased M-rated video games.

• Help your kids set guidelines for the type of games they are allowed to play.

• Spend an afternoon playing video games with your child or at least watch them play. If for some reason they object or start to feel uncomfortable with your participation, that says something about the game they are playing.

• Set a time limit for how long your child is aloud to play each day.

• Set the parental controls on your gaming system.

• Become familiar with the video game rating system and pay close attention to the ratings of the games your child plays.

• Don’t stop at the ratings. Go online and read the reviews that the games in your house are getting. These reviews are often more detailed than the ratings.