Metro | Mayor: Video games aren’t always for kids

Mayor Thomas M. Menino launched a new campaign Thursday to educate parents on the power of video game ratings at the University of Massachusetts Boston GoKids Center.

“Our mission is simple —some video games are for kids, some aren’t,” Menino said in the gym filled with interactive games like “Wii Fit” and “Dance Dance Revolution.” “There are a lot of fun and entertaining games out there, and we want parents to check the ratings and help their children pick the right ones.”

The campaign is the first in the country to partner with the nonprofit Entertainment Software Ratings Board, arming Boston parents with the tools to choose appropriate games for their children.

“Video games have never been easier to be informed about,” said Patricia Vance, president of ESRB, explaining that nine out of 10 times parents are involved in the purchase of their children’s games.

Vance and Menino unveiled the public service announcements showing Menino playing video games with children of various ages and explained how to properly read the ratings and content descriptors.

The PSAs will be aired on Boston radio and television stations, and print ads will hang in MBTA stations in the coming weeks.