Parental mediation of teenagers' video game playing: Antecedents and consequences

This study analyzed nationally representative survey data of teenagers and parents in the USA to investigate parental mediation of teenagers' video game playing and its influence on various types of teenagers' gaming behaviors. Three forms of parental mediation of video game playing were examined: co-playing, game rating checking, and stopping children from playing games. A weak and negative correlation was found between teenagers' age and parental mediation. Also, parents who presumed negative influence of video games were more likely to restrict video game playing of their teenage children. Parental mediation - particularly game rating checking - was found to be significantly related to teenagers' game playing frequency and engagement in deceptive gaming behaviors.