VIDEOGAMES & APPS

We understand that many families choose to allow their children to play games. While we don’t encourage this in extremes, we do recommend that parents keep a close eye on the games their children are playing and follow the detailed guidelines below. Children and teens primarily play video games on devices like the xbox, etc. or as apps on tablets and iPads. Below you will find detailed parent guidelines, and a database of approved games and apps.

Detailed Parent Guidelines

1. Do not allow:
   • Games rated above E (E10+ should also be avoided.) For details on what ratings mean, click here.
   • 
   • Multi-player games where your children are playing with strangers on the internet. Where the rating is listed, this will be noted with a note “Users Interact”. No multi-player game is rated for the content that other strangers will use in the game.
2. Ban the following games completely:
   • Fortnite
   • Counter Strike
   • Grand Theft Auto
3. Avoid games with:
   • Shooter games/ strong violent content/ killing without thought
   • Strong musical content or a story-line based on a romantic adventure
   • Immoral premises or content (ex. stealing cars)
4. Research games: If you want to skip this step, check out our researched games in the databases below.
   
   • Read this article with general recommendations of what to look for in games.
   • In general, sports video games are clean options.
   • To research games, look at the following:
     • https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews NOTE: Do not use the ratings. Look to the section that has content advisories, and pay particular attention to the categories “Sex/Romance”, “Language”, and “Positive Role-Models”.
     • https://www.pluggedin.ca/game-reviews/?p=0&l=20&s=date&o=desc
     • http://www.familyfriendlygaming.com
5. Limitations
   • Limit the amount of time to 20 minutes/day with an average of 3-4 hours per week (perhaps an additional 30 minutes on the weekends).
   • Please note that video games addiction is a large problem. They need help and guidance to help them in developing their sense of self-control. Read more about video game addictions and symptoms here.
6. Group-setting:
   • Communal space: like a living room, and no private spaces. This encourages accountability from children and also gives you the chance to build a stronger family environment. It’s a win-win-win-win 🙂
   • Volume loud (NO headphones).
7. Lower Music: Please note that video games contain background music that is haram. Every game has a setting to turn off the music and you should do this for all games being played; sound effects can remain on.

Video Games Database

The following list is a collection of video games that we researched and found no objectionable content. The music in these games has not been checked. Please lower the volume and turn off the music in your settings.

• Click the links or search the app on your device.
  
• Click the green plus sign to see any additional information for each item.
• Download the entire list in PDF or excel format

Apps Database

The music in these apps has not been checked. Please turn off the music in the apps settings.

• Click the green plus sign to see any additional information for each item, including the download links from Google Play and iTunes.
• Click on the links or search the app on your device.
• Download the entire list in PDF or excel format