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Tell parents of preteens and teens that video games can be addictive, and most won't be surprised. Lots of parents have seen their children sitting for long periods in front of the TV screen, playing hours and hours of video games. Like anything in life, it's all about balance. Video games can actually be a valuable activity for children, in moderation.

If your child is spending too much time parked in front of the video game console, you should limit the amount your child plays every day. This is especially true if their grades are suffering, or they are not interested in doing other activities. Try and get your child involved in offline sports and activities, and encourage them to try other hobbies.

You can also monitor the type of video games your child is playing. If you feel they are too violent or mature for your preteen, limit the types of games they can play. If your child is playing multiplayer games online, make sure they are supervised as this involves interaction with other people.

Choose games that involve problem solving, or have interesting story lines to keep your child entertained. Some experts believe that the right type of video games can even be beneficial, as they help strategic and critical thinking.

Even young toddlers can benefit from the right kind of video games. Look for musical or lively video games that teach skills like shape or color recognition, memory or other cognitive skill development. For older children, choose a game that involves an activity they enjoy – for example, one that is fantasy-based, a math or word game, or a game featuring a popular cartoon character.