Children and video games: a parent's guide

Pro tips on which games your child should play, how long they should play for, how to limit screen time - and what to do if their friend plays violent games

For me, parenting often feels like endlessly having to say no. No, we can't have Kinder Eggs for breakfast. No, we can't buy a horse. No, it doesn't matter that you only met her once, you still can't wear swimming trunks to Auntie Ethel's funeral. Although that last one was my husband.

Now my eldest son is six, and has discovered video games, there's a new no to add to the list: no, we can't sit around playing Crash Bandicoot in our pants all day. Even though this is basically how I spent the whole of the 90s, and it's what I'd be doing now if I didn't have two small children.