Arthur

YMA recommendation

Approved as non-violent media, with caution. Unhealthy eating

Most suitable age range:

5-7

Availability

Format: Internet (Type: Combination)

Available online at http://pbskids.org/arthur/index.html

All items on the list of non-violent computer games are available either through the Internet or for purchase or hire. Click here for some ideas of where to look for them.

About the game

Year of production	NA
Classification advice
Rating	NA
Consumer advice lines	NA
Duration	NA

Other information
Country of origin	USA
Production Company	WGBH Boston and Cookie Jar Entertainment

Synopsis

This website has numerous games and activities for children to explore including matching, memory, orienteering, puzzles, quizzes etc.

Points to consider

Words of caution

Although attempting to encourage a “balanced diet”, one of the games offers clearly unhealthy foods such as chips, hotdogs and hamburgers as part of the “balance” without some reference to the healthy eating pyramid or warning about the excessive consumption of such foods.

Positive aspects

The games generally encourage co-operation and problem-solving. However, parents are encouraged to assist their children with their answers and question their reasoning behind their choices if they don’t arrive at the “expected” answer.

Questions to ask

Parents are encouraged to discuss the negative impact of a diet of fatty and sugary foods on their children’s weight and oral health. Several initiatives are available to support parents seeking to make positive changes to their child’s diet such as “Keep your children out of the firing line”; a project by Young Media Australia to raise parental awareness of television food advertising.