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Your 10-year-old son is begging you to buy him a video game called Gears of War 2 for Christmas. But you don't have a clue what it is.

Be warned: it's extremely violent. Limbs get blown off. Heads explode. The main characters in the game unload almost as many F bombs as they do other types of weapons, including a flame thrower that melts enemies and a chain saw attached to a machine gun that slices them in half like melons.

Feeling overwhelmed? You're not alone.

Although there is an M-rating (mature) on the game's cover, meaning it's not suitable for anyone under 17, nearly three quarters of parents understand little or nothing about video game ratings, according to a report in December 2007 by the National Institute on Media and the Family.

That may help explain, according to the report, why half of players ages 8 to 12 admit playing M-rated video games such as Gears of War 2.

Have no fear. We're here to help. We've created an easy-to-use multiplayer guide that answers questions every parent should be asking about the video game ratings system, including how to search for a game to learn more about it. Plus lots of other useful advice and tips.

Your son may be upset because he doesn't understand why Gears of War 2 won't be in his stocking. Heck, I remember being angry because my parents refused to let me see Jaws when I was 10.

Not to worry. He'll thank you one day.

Contact Mike Fuchs at 373-3465 or michael.fuchs@news-record.com