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UK gov't report calls for redundant ratings systems for software

By Tim Conneally, BetaNews

March 27, 2008, 6:51 PM

A report released today by the British Prime Minister's office entitled "Safer Children in a Digital World," calls for reform not only by policy makers, but also schools, advertisers, parents, and "the industry."

The 215-page report by psychologist Dr. Tanya Byron, entitled "Safer Children in a Digital World," calls for reform not only by policy makers, but also schools, advertisers, parents, and "the industry."

It proposes ways in which these groups can address and manage the potential risks children face while using the Internet and playing video games. It stresses the similarities between caring for children in the offline and online worlds, and how potential risks will never be fully eliminated in either. And it suggests measures taken to protect children must be pragmatic.

One such measure calls for the creation of a council on child Internet safety which would be established by, and report to, the Prime Minister. The council would be responsible for developing better regulations for "that industry" --referring the IT industry -- and better information for the government, law enforcement, school, and children's service sectors on the risks to, and safety measures for, children.

The topic of an improved video game ratings system also constitutes several chapters of the report. It prominently notes the lack of a causal link between aggressive behavior and violent video game play, but still addresses the correlational evidence frequently brought up critics. Several updated approaches to video game retailing are covered.

One of these is the recommendation of a hybrid classification system in which BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) logos are on the front of all games (18, 15, 12, PG, U), and the PEGI (Pan-European Game Information System) continues to rate all 3+ and 7+ games and their equivalent logos on the back of all boxes.

The suggestion to put a rating on both sides of the box from two separate governing bodies -- one of which currently only rates about 4% of games, the other which is a voluntary classification system -- is unlikely to quell whom the report calls "a vocal minority" of those seeking not more ratings, but stricter ones.

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By tscar13

posted Mar 29, 2008 - 9:28 PM

While I don't play computer games, no one has proved scientifically that there is a link between these games and behavior.Just because you see two events close together doesn't say anything about correlation or cause-effect. The landfield of junk Medicine is littered with this type of mistake being made. Reminds of of the attempt of linking music to behavior.
BTW since when you play the White album backwards, it says Paul is dead, has everyone remembered to send flowers for this tragedy :)

Score: 0

By xyzcb1

posted Mar 28, 2008 - 12:10 AM

Why government wasting time and money on these thing? Maybe they should spend money on educating the children instead of putting these stupid thing. I see no school talks about drug and safer sex. Our government always bash China for this and that, at the very least, the government actually spending money educating the younger generation.

Score: 0

By Galway

posted Mar 28, 2008 - 4:53 AM

"Why government wasting time and money on these thing?"

Because when you let people think for themselves, more often than not they dont, and look to guidelines to base or backup their thinking.

"Maybe they should spend money on educating the children instead of putting these stupid thing."

Schools are based on guidelines and recommendations. Leave them to their own devices and soon enough they will cross the line.

"I see no school talks about drug and safer sex."

I dont think they shout it from the street corners.

"Our government always bash China for this and that, ..."

Ours only for the way they are treating the tibet people atm.

"...at the very least, the government actually spending money educating the younger generation."

They do seam to take more care of the education of the young, but they will when all our teachers care about are 10% wage increases and doing less and less in the workplace while demanding more and more when they take more holidays than any other profession.

I think on the whole it is all common sense. All this does is highlight it and present it to the government to assess how much of a problem it is. Its a warning shot to everyone involved to either sort themselves out and use the guidelines or get new legislation.

Score: 0

By George43

posted Mar 29, 2008 - 9:40 AM

Galway,
You're a man after my own heart!
Teachers' bunch of commie pricks, there's only one thing to learn 'n that's in the "Good Book". 'n if ya learn it properly you sure realize there is only one morality!
That being what you've expressed "keep 'em in the dark, feed 'em more bulls***, and if we can't wipe 'em out that way? Then even more sheeples for cannon fodder!
Don't ya just love the concept, the thought it makes me wet!

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

edited Mar 28, 2008 - 9:51 AM

Because when you let people think for themselves, more often than not they dont, and look to guidelines to base or backup their thinking.

I actually disagree with that statement. I agree that there are some people who do not think for themselves, and they do look to guidelines to base or backup their lack of thinking, but I disagree that this happens "more often than not".

I don't think this is something we can actually prove one way or another. My feelings reflect Thomas Jefferson's when he said:

"I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them but to inform their discretion."

Score: 0

By Galway

posted Mar 29, 2008 - 6:12 PM

"I actually disagree with that statement."

Its debatable ...
Sure its a unrealistic point to prove, but everyone at some point is guilty of it I believe.

"I agree that there are some people who do not think for themselves"

Id be shocked to hear otherwise.

"... and they do look to guidelines to base or backup their lack of thinking"

More often than not ?
And to you quote ...

"the remedy is not to take it from them but to inform their discretion"

And how best to do that ... With guidance, an insight of the problem? or with regulation ?
At least this addresses the problems rather then sticking your head in the sand and hoping it goes away.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Mar 28, 2008 - 9:18 AM

Because when you let people think for themselves, more often than not they dont, and look to guidelines to base or backup their thinking.

...and the current ratings system fails this how?

Score: 0

By Galway

edited Mar 29, 2008 - 6:02 PM

"...and the current ratings system fails this how?"

That would be explained in the 215 page report, but would, for example, cover things not addressed at the moment. This is not just putting ratings on games, but guidance for schools, advertisers, parents, and "the industry." How many parents put a pc in a child's bedroom and are oblivious to the danger/influence connecting them to a world network.

Im not saying these are going to be popular, but what are the consequence of doing nothing ?

"...is unlikely to quell whom the report calls "a vocal minority" of those seeking not more ratings, but stricter ones.""

I bet they will love that !

Score: 0

By Scary Guy

posted Mar 27, 2008 - 8:28 PM

The current ratings system does fine, one side of the box (the front) is fine. The only problem is that the parents just need to actually look and pay attention to the current ratings system.

Or do like they do with movies now in the US. Have a section for little kids and an 18+ section (hell even put it behind a curtain if needed).

What's the next step, warnings on the packaging? "WARNING, PLAYING FOR 3 DAYS NON STOP MAY CAUSE DEATH".

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

posted Mar 28, 2008 - 10:41 AM

Well they already have "PlayStation not designed for use outdoors in the rain"

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Mar 28, 2008 - 11:01 AM

Wow.

Really?

You'd think people would have more common sense than that. Of course, we have warning labels on everything now, like hair-dryers (Don't use in the shower).

One wonders how much better off the world might be if we got rid of the labels and let nature take out the garbage...