A report in the UK commissioned by the Prime Minister and written by Tanya Byron will conclude that video games harm children. Because of this finding, games will be forced to carry cigarette-style health warnings on all packaging as well as store cabinets.

The study found that violent games can harm children’s beliefs and value systems and desensitize them to violence. A change in the law will give big fines or jail time to retailers who sell games to customers under the age rating.

The classification system at the moment in the UK is confusing and is claimed not to be tough enough. At the moment only adult content like sex or gross violence requires a rating. UK does have an 18+ rating but only about 2% of games have this rating. The alternative European game information system uses symbols that are hard to understand and retailers end up making up their own ratings.

The report is also suggesting console manufactures integrate a locking system for parents to control the rating level allow to be run on the console.

Submitted by Eldude 27/03/2008 90 10

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Source URL:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article3628894.ece

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