Mar 27
UK govt to meddle in gaming industry
Video games must be given cinema-style age classifications to stop children accessing graphic images of sex and violence, a Government adviser will announce today. Computers should also be kept in communal areas of the home such as the living room rather than youngsters’ bedrooms so that parents can monitor what they are viewing, says Dr Tanya Byron.
A TV expert blithering on about video games? Surely its a bit daft to have someone chatting about video games from an industry that directly competes with video games.
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Surely it might have been a good idea to use a video game expert to talk about video games? I would volunteer, as a reviewer over several decades, to advise them if they wish.
I have written a piece on this for Taking Liberties.
Anti-game fascists are at it in Oz too alas.
Gamepolitics.com has the full report.
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The age ratings I can sort of understand, though it is a pointless waste of time and ink, IMNSHO. However … are you seriously suggesting the Brits will now put up with their government telling them in which room to locate their computer terminal? What’s next, a mandatory ottoman in every conservatory, to promote islam and conservation?
From the Telegraph article:
Dr Byron believes many children outwit their parents about the sometimes confusing, information on games packaging. As a result she will insist that the new, compulsory system of symbols be clearly visible and easy for everyone to understand.
So parents are stupid and need the clever Guvmint to look after their kids for them.
She may also recommend a blocking mechanism to help parents bar their children from the wrong sites.
She has never heard of products like NetNanny? Not much of an internet expert is she?