Chances are a child or teenager you know received a video game as a gift during the recent holiday season. But for some kids, playing video games becomes more than just an occasional activity. Some will spend most of their waking hours engrossed in these games—many of which are violent, graphic or promote negative images.

Studies have proven a direct association between violence in video games and aggression in children and adolescents, say experts from Bradley Hospital, the nation’s first psychiatric hospital for children. They stress the importance of monitoring your child’s video game use, including games played on the Internet, and recommend setting clear rules and limits about the amount of time and the kinds of games your child is allowed to play.

“When kids are sitting in front of the television all day with a video game controller in their hand, they’re not taking part in imaginative play or interacting with their friends, and their opportunities for emotional and social development become quite limited,” said Gregory K. Fritz, M.D., academic director at Bradley Hospital. “Parents need to be vigilant about their child’s video game use and not hesitate to step in as soon as they feel it’s getting out of control.”

Dr. Fritz offers some additional tips and advice for parents:

• Follow the parental rating guide recommended by the Entertainment Software Rating Board. However, keep in mind that your child’s biological age may not always indicate his or her emotional development and maturity.

• Keep video game equipment, as well as the family computer, in a public place in the home, such as the family room, where it can be monitored. Do not keep them in your child’s room.

• Stay away from “first person” shooter games in which your child is acting out the shooting. These games may desensitize children to violence, teach children that violence is an acceptable way to settle conflicts, and encourage anti-social behavior.

• Observe your child as he or she is playing video games or, better yet, play along. Ask about the main point of the game and what characters your child doesn’t like and why. What they see may be different from what you see.

• Encourage your child to play with friends or join in after-school sports or activities to help discourage him or her from only playing video games.