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Byron: Games aren't the problem
Author: Joe MartinPublished: 31st March 2008
Dr. Tanya Byron recently released a government report examining how games should be rated.
Dr. Byron, famous from the child-psychology show The House of Tiny Tearaways, recently completed a government report into games which came to the conclusion that all games need to be rated using a film-style rating system.
Speaking to GI.biz, Dr. Byron said that she doesn't believe that the games industry is responsible for all the violence it is scapegoated for.
"Let's stop blaming industry for things industry isn't responsible for, that's number one," said Dr. Byron.
"Number two, the industry has worked really positively with me. I do believe this industry does not intend to corrupt young people. Number three, I think there's a positive that adult games are created with adult content for adults to play."
"There are a lot of really good videogames." She went on, "I think games are very positive for children. They engage with them through thinking as well as playing...We need to stop panicking, get a grip, move on in the debate and just be sensible about who plays what at what age, and what's appropriate."
"We can't just isolate videogames as being responsible for the ills of society. I am really clear from the child development literature that there are some games that kids shouldn't play and it could have a really, really negative impact on them if they do play them...But my instinct is that the videogames industry is completely next to me on that one, because again, yes there are adult games and adult material that people can read and look at."
Agree with the good doctor, or is this little more than automatic crowd-pleasing spiel? Let us know what you think in the forums.
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Comments (25)
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pinch me.
It doesn't surprise me that an independent report commissioned by the Government says something sensible... but if the Government actually pay attention to it? That's another matter entirely.
Won't stop the parents of little snowflake blaming the games they bought for him when he turns out to be a tw*t.
That is just the way I was brought up by my parents :-)
Yeah, had to do a double take on the date, April 1st is tomorrow right.
heh, and I'm not even a big gamer, but all my friends are
keep it up Byron!:D
I'll probably get in trouble for saying this...
The truth is always hard for people to stomach.
Same here, whats the quote "I dont agree with what your saying but I will fight for your right to say it". same applies here in my opinion, I dont want to play the game and would never suggest its to anyone but I believe they have the right to make it.
Wild accusations on the front page sells papers (which is why the McCann's charity fund is now considerably richer).
It's surprising that the Express hasn't tried to link the scourge of computer games to Princess Diana's death yet.
excellent book.
Now, if you're finished with her, would you kindly send her across the Atlantic so she can smack some sense into our politicians for a little while?
At least she is talking sense though.
it feels like they're going with the attitude:
"if it ain't broke, fix it until it is"
It really does seem fine as it is to me, if anything i don't see the need for the BBFC rating, the other one seems fine.
ESRB is also an overseas (US, IIRC) organisation, and what one country deems suitable for minors, another deems unsuitable. Making games bought in the UK subject to a BBFC rating means that ratings are applied according to British guidelines of what is and what isn't acceptable to the various age ranges. The other option is to set up a new body responsible for certifying video games, but really that's just reinventing the wheel.
Edit
Also i think the ESRB ratings are normally pretty spot on
Either way, its up to the parents to abide by the ratings, i mean, game normally tries to enforce ESRB ratings (in my experience)