If your children were lucky, they got a new video game console for Christmas. You've probably spent some time playing games with them. But how can you protect the kids from inappropriate games when you're not around?

It can be difficult to judge which games are appropriate for kids. You could do diligent research on the appropriateness of a game. But your children could borrow a game of which you disapprove.

Fortunately, the new generation of game consoles can help you. The Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Xbox 360 both include parental controls. So do Sony's hand-held PlayStation Portable and console PlayStation 3. You can block games and movies you don't want your children viewing.

SONY PLAYSTATION 3

The PS3's restrictions are enforced by a four-digit password. The default password is 0000.

Select Settings, then Security Settings. You'll find options for both DVDs and Blu-Ray movies. Options for games are listed under Parental Control. A number indicates the level of restriction. Lower numbers mean tighter restrictions.

You'll need to experiment with restriction levels. Start at 1 and gradually increase the number if acceptable games or movies are blocked.

To set parental controls for the Web browser, select Internet Browser Start Control. Your options are limited to On or Off.

The default password is well known. If your kids don't know it, their friends might. So once you've set the restrictions, change it. In the Security Settings menu, select Change Password. Enter the default password, then select a new password.

SONY PLAYSTATION PORTABLE

The PSP's menu system is similar to the PS3's. Turn on the PSP and select Settings, then Security Settings. You'll see the options for games and Universal Media Disc videos.

Select Internet Browser Start Control to change the browser settings. Select On to block access to the built-in Web browser.

Again, you'll want to change the password. Select Change Password. Enter the default password, 0000. Then set your own four-digit password.

NINTENDO WII

You can set restrictions on games and online features on the Wii. Just click the Wii button at the bottom of the screen. Then select Wii Settings and select Parental Controls.

The Wii's restrictions are based on the Entertainment Software Rating Board. Select the highest rating with which you are comfortable. Full rating descriptions are available at www.esrb.org.

When you connect the Wii to the Internet, you'll get additional options.

MICROSOFT XBOX 360

To set parental controls in the Xbox 360, start the console without a disc. Then select System, Family Settings, Console Controls.

There are options for games, movies and Xbox Live. Base restrictions on ESRB game ratings and Motion Picture Association of America movie ratings.

Once you set restrictions, create a pass code.