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Parents "concerned" about video games
A study has revealed that over three quarters of European parents are concerned by the content of the video games their children play. 4,000 parents in France, Italy, Germany and the UK were questioned as part of the survey carried out on behalf of Microsoft.Nearly half of the parents questioned as part of the survey said that they believe children should be limited to one hour of gaming a day.
Additionally, 43% of those who took revealed that they were ignorant about the age rating systems that are used on games.
The survey also revealed that many children play games alone and very rarely is an activity carried out by the entire family.
64% of children play games alone while less than one in ten will play with family members and only 12% shared the experience with friends according to the survey.
The British government is currently carrying out a review into the impact of video games on children headed by Dr Tanya Byron.
Dr Byron's findings will be published in March 2008 with the age rating system in the UK being a major focus of her study.
However, in response the games industry has stressed the educational and social benefits of gaming as well as emphasising the regulations currently in place.
ELSPA, the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers' Association, advised that playing games was "part of a balanced mix of leisure activities for all ages".
In a statement an ELSPA spokesperson said: "We welcome the opportunity to highlight the range of devises such as age content suitability ratings and parental controls that support parents in exercising their responsibilities."
ELSPA also point to a website that they have established - www.askaboutgames.com – to provide parents with information about games.
Parents' attitudes and levels of ignorance about the games rating system did not surprise industry consultant and games writer Margaret Robertson.
She said: "This is a well-known issue in the UK that while the ratings system is quite good, both parental awareness and understanding of it is quite poor.
"The industry has tried a number of initiatives and game specific retailers tend to be fairly responsible about trying to enforce these things."
Robertson believes that parents need to be informed enough to ensure that their children are not exposed to the adult themed titles on the market.
"There should be parental concern about some games. There are games that should be out of the hands of the children. The industry needs to be telling people that and giving them the information they need," she advised.
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Published Date: 2007-12-04 11:45:35Subscribe to our RSS News feed:
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