Gordon Brown Hits Out At Violent Video Games...

[Gikoku]

Political Media
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The Prime Minister


"Parents are concerned about whether children are exposed to harmful violence and sexual imagery in games and on the internet." - Gordon Brown

Originally Posted by MCV News

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has jumped two-footed into the debate on violent video games – promising to review new rules for the advertising and sale of software to children.

According to the Daily Mirror, Brown said he was ‘aware of growing concern about the effect of screen violence on youngsters’, and that he was looking into drawing up new legislation for the promotion and sale of video games to minors.

The PM commented: "Parents are concerned about whether children are exposed to harmful violence and sexual imagery in games and on the internet."

He said the plans would be put to a new ‘Citizens' Jury’ this week – assisting the Government to draw up proposals to ensure every youngster can grow up safe, secure and successful.

Brown said the proposal would "look at how we can empower people to work with police to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour".

The news comes after leader of the Opposition David Cameron last week launched an attack on the release of violent games.

Cameron later called for an appraisal on the age ratings and marketing of violent games in his ‘mini-manifesto’, entitled: ‘It’s Time to Fight Back’.

[Orpheus Lupus]

Something about the way those new measures are worded and described really freaks the crap right out of me.

[Dark Drakan]

As long as it is only stopping the sale of violent games to minors im fine with that. However the moment they talk about banning or restricting games then they have crossed the line. Children shouldnt be sold violent games, however those of us who are adults should be free to choose what we purchase and play etc. If this is handled the right way then fine, but with our governments history and out of date style im not confident of this.

[Arseface]

Well, it's all fine and dandy for you grown ups, but we youngsters like to play violent games as well. I think it should be the parent’s responsibility to guard their children from violent games; that’s why the term “guardian” is used.


I know it wont effect our lot, but knowing what our pollies are like, it wont be long before we follow the motherland.

[Angel]

Gordon Brown = Moron.

Sorry, but I have no respect for our Government and this is just a jump-on-the-bandwagon reaction to try and get all those easily-outraged busybodies onside to push through crap in Parliament.

I agree with Andy about not selling games to minors but that is already law - they cannot stop adults buying them for kids and I don't know how they ever will. Just like everything else age-restricted there will always be people who will ignore it and purchase inappropriate material for minors.

They cannot just put restrictions on one type of media and not address others - with the digital age in full swing, they are going to have to do a lot more than appraise age limits to help stop kids accessing inappropriate images...

[Albion Knight]

Parents Should beconcerned about the games their kids play and a great many other things their kids do. There already is an Age restriction Maybe the new legislation is aimed at new ways of enforcing the legislation. I have a feeling that all that will end up happening is keeping games out of kids hands that wouldn't choose them anyway plus making the restricted games all that more desirable.

[Angel]

It's always been that way - ban or restrict something and all of a sudden it becomes a squillion times more popular than before.

I just cannot see how they are going to enforce this new stuff...

[Dark Drakan]

Originally Posted by Arseface

Well, it's all fine and dandy for you grown ups, but we youngsters like to play violent games as well. I think it should be the parent’s responsibility to guard their children from violent games; that’s why the term “guardian” is used.

I agree, but all this has came from those very same parents. They buy their kid a game which is 18 rated without even looking at what the content is. Then when their kid does something stupid or hurts someone doing something from the game the parents blame the game creators. If parents took more time looking into what they were buying their kids we wouldnt have this problem. Also if they think its suitable for their kid then their kid does something then they should take the blame, not the game makers.