Your Input Needed ASAP Please

[Site Admin]

Please could you give me your answers to the following:-

- Do you think age ratings on games are clear enough?
- Should there be tighter laws on the sale of violent videogames?
- Do you believe violent games are more damaging to a child than for example violent films?
- What is your opinion of parents that buy 18-rated games for their kids?
- Where do you think the responsibility lies when ensuring adult games are not played by under-age kids? Is it the games industry or the parent themselves?

Many Thanks

[Al1x]

Ok... heres my views:


- Do you think age ratings on games are clear enough?
I think they are clear - just not enforced.

- Should there be tighter laws on the sale of violent videogames?
the age rating should be enforced the same as films

- Do you believe violent games are more damaging to a child than for example violent films?
I don't think they are more damaging

- What is your opinion of parents that buy 18-rated games for their kids?
Parents should know not to buy their children these games - would they go out and buy an 18 film for their child? probably not! - If my child went round a friends house and came back swearing because he/she heard those words on a computer game then I would be very annoyed

- Where do you think the responsibility lies when ensuring adult games are not played by under-age kids? Is it the games industry or the parent themselves?
The game industry has no control over who plays their games - Shop assistants should ask for ID when selling these games and parents shouldn't let their children play these games. If the parents own an over 18 game they should keep it seperate from the childs games and shouldn't play them when the child is around.

[Furbee]

Do you think age ratings on games are clear enough?
i think that it is the same as on films. there, but not exactly noticable.

Should there be tighter laws on the sale of violent videogames?
yes i do. i think that they are very easy to get hold of.

Do you believe violent games are more damaging to a child than for example violent films?
i think that they are both as bad as each other, but saying that, with the games, they are activley participating in the destruction of things.

What is your opinion of parents that buy 18-rated games for their kids?
i think that its a personal choice, but i dont agree with it to be honest.

Where do you think the responsibility lies when ensuring adult games are not played by under-age kids? Is it the games industry or the parent themselves?
its the parents. the same as letting your children watch films that they are under age for. i dont think that the industry can be held accountable for it.

[MrTempleDene]

Ok... heres my views:


- Do you think age ratings on games are clear enough?
I think they are clear - just not enforced.

- Should there be tighter laws on the sale of violent videogames?
the age rating should be enforced the same as films

- Do you believe violent games are more damaging to a child than for example violent films?
I don't think they are more damaging

- What is your opinion of parents that buy 18-rated games for their kids?
Parents should know not to buy their children these games - would they go out and buy an 18 film for their child? probably not! - If my child went round a friends house and came back swearing because he/she heard those words on a computer game then I would be very annoyed

- Where do you think the responsibility lies when ensuring adult games are not played by under-age kids? Is it the games industry or the parent themselves?
The game industry has no control over who plays their games - Shop assistants should ask for ID when selling these games and parents shouldn't let their children play these games. If the parents own an over 18 game they should keep it seperate from the childs games and shouldn't play them when the child is around.

That sums up my views pretty nicely as well,

also research has never really proved a link between violent games/films and violence in real life. As far as I know, anyway.

[smirnoff]

- Do you think age ratings on games are clear enough?no, not always.. 3+ for example does not always mean that imo
- Should there be tighter laws on the sale of violent videogames?yes far tighter
- Do you believe violent games are more damaging to a child than for example violent films?yes. i ihave experienced it on a lower level with my ds
- What is your opinion of parents that buy 18-rated games for their kids?depends on the child and the game. tbh i wouldnt let my children play them till they were lots older
- Where do you think the responsibility lies when ensuring adult games are not played by under-age kids? Is it the games industry or the parent themselves? it has to be by the parent. no games manufacturer is going to know who is buying their games for themselves or for their children. in that respect i think that it is more like cigarettes and alcohol. down to the retailer to check id, and then down to the parents to "police" at home

hope this helps...

[Azzi]

- Do you think age ratings on games are clear enough?
They are clear but some are confusing as some are in circles and some in boxes mean different things
- Should there be tighter laws on the sale of violent videogames?
Most shops i go in don't sell to kids that are too young for the game the law seems to be tight enough over this
- Do you believe violent games are more damaging to a child than for example violent films?
I don't think it makes any difference if a child is sensible they can tell the difference between real world and fantasy unfortantly not all kids are
- What is your opinion of parents that buy 18-rated games for their kids?
I think they should be shot (ok maybe thats a bit harsh) as not only is it wrong it also puts pressure on other parents who won't as i find my kids moan if their friends are allowed it and they are not (i never give in though) and it also means your kids can be exposed to the game round a friends house
- Where do you think the responsibility lies when ensuring adult games are not played by under-age kids? Is it the games industry or the parent themselves?
Its the parents, no one else can stop your kids from playing a game I think too much blame is put other places theses days
if you buy your kid a violent game and they do something in real life thats come from the game then its your fault not the games industry or the shop that you brought it from

[Shiraz]

That sums up my views pretty nicely as well,

also research has never really proved a link between violent games/films and violence in real life. As far as I know, anyway.

I must agree with all of the above!

Shop assistants rarely check the age of whom they are selling the games too! As playstation / xbox etc is seen a s'a childs game' anyway!

[Ravenfire]

Just bumping this up if you could take the time to do this please. Thanks

[Tinkabell]

- Do you think age ratings on games are clear enough?

I think they are clear enough

- Should there be tighter laws on the sale of violent videogames?

Yes - but the problem is the laws would be enforced in shops but what about the car boot sellers who sell copies of games and videos, they sell any kind of game to anyone.

- Do you believe violent games are more damaging to a child than for example violent films?

I think they are both as bad.

- What is your opinion of parents that buy 18-rated games for their kids?

It is there choice, we all have a right to bring our children up as we feel is appropriate.

- Where do you think the responsibility lies when ensuring adult games are not played by under-age kids? Is it the games industry or the parent themselves?

It is the parent, dd3 (9) has sims which is over her age limit but having checked the game myself there is nothing violent or sexually orientated so I allow her to play it. I would not allow her to play an 18 violent game though.

The games industry is catering for all age groups just as the film industry does, if we stopped them making violent games does that mean we should stop the movie industry making horror/violent films.

[kathyhinsh]

- Do you think age ratings on games are clear enough?
Yes, as far as I can tell
- Should there be tighter laws on the sale of violent videogames?
Yes
- Do you believe violent games are more damaging to a child than for example violent films?
Yes, cos they're getting more involved in the violence
- What is your opinion of parents that buy 18-rated games for their kids?
Depends on the games/kids
- Where do you think the responsibility lies when ensuring adult games are not played by under-age kids? Is it the games industry or the parent themselves?
parents



I must add 2 this tho, that my 2 play on all the GTA games, but we're lucky that they're sensible in that they know the difference between wot's unreal in the game & real-life

(Did that make sense?)

[lizzie]

- Do you think age ratings on games are clear enough? Yes most of time
- Should there be tighter laws on the sale of violent videogames? yes to many children get hold of these and can cause damage
- Do you believe violent games are more damaging to a child than for example violent films? yes they are
- What is your opinion of parents that buy 18-rated games for their kids?I would'nt do it under no circumstances
- Where do you think the responsibility lies when ensuring adult games are not played by under-age kids? Is it the games industry or the parent themselves , both but mainly the parents the shops can only try and not sell them to under aged kids but the most responsibility lies with the parents and carers

[curlybird]

- Do you think age ratings on games are clear enough?
They are clear but shop staff should enforce them more.

- Should there be tighter laws on the sale of violent videogames?
Yes

- Do you believe violent games are more damaging to a child than for example violent films?
Slightly yes, because there is more involvement with a game than there is with just watching a film.

- What is your opinion of parents that buy 18-rated games for their kids?
Depends on how old there kids are.... all children are different and if the parent believes that they are responsible and sensible enough to have them at say 16 then that's the parents call.... I definitely don't think a child younger than this should have them.

- Where do you think the responsibility lies when ensuring adult games are not played by under-age kids? Is it the games industry or the parent themselves?
Both

[Easties]

- Do you think age ratings on games are clear enough? yes

- Should there be tighter laws on the sale of violent videogames? yes

- Do you believe violent games are more damaging to a child than for example violent films? i think so yes as with films you just watch them but games you are controlling it

- What is your opinion of parents that buy 18-rated games for their kids? i dont agree with it but it all depends on the age my sil's both bought GTA for my 2 nephews one who was 5 and one who was 6 IMO i think that buying them it at that age is disgusting

- Where do you think the responsibility lies when ensuring adult games are not played by under-age kids? Is it the games industry or the parent themselves? well the shops should ask for ID when selling certain games to kids but i would say the parents more than the shops

[lisaequi]

i seem to think the same as other people on this.. i think that they are not enforced enough tho in cinemas, i went to see pirates of carribean II at weekend and there was a 4 year old girl there who was frightened dout of her wits!!!!

The parents didnt care just gave her a cuddle and watched....shocking

[Jen]

- Do you think age ratings on games are clear enough?
Yes, we all know what we are looking for.

- Should there be tighter laws on the sale of violent videogames?
Who knows? I enjoy playing video games but that does not mean i don't know fantasy from fiction

- Do you believe violent games are more damaging to a child than for example violent films?
The child is more involved with a game yes, but as for being more damaging then I dont think so. I remember playing war and guns with bits of wood, and I'm ok (I think)

- What is your opinion of parents that buy 18-rated games for their kids?
Depends the child.... all children are different some would be fine with these type of games others would not, its the parents responsibility to chose and make the correct choices.(although I do not believe children a young as 13/14 should be allowed to play them)

- Where do you think the responsibility lies when ensuring adult games are not played by under-age kids? Is it the games industry or the parent themselves?
Parents

[Daffs]

Please could you give me your answers to the following:-

- Do you think age ratings on games are clear enough? Yes
- Should there be tighter laws on the sale of violent videogames? I don't know what they are like now. Is there a problem?
- Do you believe violent games are more damaging to a child than for example violent films? No
- What is your opinion of parents that buy 18-rated games for their kids? It depends entirely on the individual. If they thought that their child was mature enough if short of 18 by a couple of years then I would not condemn them. If a 6 year old was playing an 18 game, I would frown on that.
- Where do you think the responsibility lies when ensuring adult games are not played by under-age kids? Is it the games industry or the parent themselves? Both but mostly the parent.

[Tinkerfairy]

Do you think age ratings on games are clear enough?
The ratings are but not the reasons why.
- Should there be tighter laws on the sale of violent videogames?
Yes.
- Do you believe violent games are more damaging to a child than for example violent films?
Yes because they are actively involved.
- What is your opinion of parents that buy 18-rated games for their kids?
TBH that's up to them...and it also depends on the game and why it is 18-rated.
- Where do you think the responsibility lies when ensuring adult games are not played by under-age kids? Is it the games industry or the parent themselves?
Both.