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UK gov't investigating video games

A new independent review will study effects of violent games on children, along with effectiveness of current ratings system.

Gordon Brown's UK government has commissioned an independent review, headed by a clinical psychologist, into the risks to children of exposure to violent games.

Tanya Byron, who works as a consultant in a GP's practice along with presenting TV shows including House of Tiny Tearaways, Panaroma, and Little Angels, has been asked to put together the report.

The results are due in March 2008, and Byron states that she hopes that they will help identify ways to ensure youngsters are using the Internet and video games in a way that is age-appropriate.

The review aims not only to seek evidence on risks to children's "safety and well being" with exposure to inappropriate material on the Internet and in games, but to also assess the effectiveness of current measures preventing children from accessing age-gated content.

The review is gathering opinions from a wide variety of people, including children and young people aged between 0-18, parents, the academic community, the video gaming industry, gamers, and those involved in the welfare, education, and/or safety of children. More information on the report, and details on how to contribute an opinion, can be found on the official Web site.

236 Comments

  • Sanguis_Malus

    Posted Feb 11, 2008 5:08 am GMT

    Its a real problem area, trying to control this is going to be difficult.
    As an adult I don't want Brown and his cronies interfering with my gaming choice. The problem with the UK Government is that they are dictators, god forbid the day that adults are told what they can and cannot play. I don't agree with minors playing unsuitable games but my fear is that the UK Government like to apply blanket policies.

  • YetiJones

    Posted Oct 12, 2007 1:47 pm GMT

    There is really no effective way to censor material from children by age-gating. If they want to watch it, they will make up an acceptable age. The only way this would work would be by documenting their age given with other files known about them (cookies, email addresses, etc.); but resorting to those methods would infringe a number of privacy and third party policies...so we're in a lose-lose situation with age-gating.

  • laowaigeez

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 10:39 pm GMT

    In a perfect world this study would add something worthwhile to the video game debate. Alas, as the media still portrays games and gamers as non-mainstream, so do the politicians. I can't see either the media or politicians using the findings either sensibly or correctly in their pursuit of "popularity". Many reporters miss the "whole correlation doesn't equal causation" basics inorder to manufacture outrageous articles. OH! My God! He played FPS', that's why he shot up the school! Well, suprise, suprise, someone with a fascination with guns and murderous intentions wants to play FPS'. (Absence of paragraphing brought to you by Opera/gamespot)

  • ZhugeMarc

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 4:39 pm GMT

    I don't believe we'll be independent in a few years. There's not really any argument for or against it, so there's no point.

    As for an investigation into video games...what an awesome way of wasting taxpayer money.

  • jizlobber

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 4:38 pm GMT

    From what i've read of the posts here, people seem to be against this study, and yet most of them miss the point.
    The argument of "i played violent games since i was 10 and i've never killed anyone" has as much weight as a tobacco vendor sayin "my granny smoked 80 cigs a day and never got cancer". Smokin isnt the sole cause of cancer, but it does contribute.
    In the same way, in no way are games the sole instigator in acts of violence or aggression, but i'm sure they affect people, particularly children. And that is the focus of this study - how violent, adult-rated games affect CHILDREN, and how much knowledge their parents have. The study doesn't seek to ban games, it is looking at how parents can be educated about them, so that they know what their children are playin and whether it is suitable.
    Whatever u believe, the best thing you can do is go to the website and tell them exactly what u think. If u don't bother to voice your opinion, then don't bother complainin about it

  • ReggieNametaker

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 2:54 pm GMT

    Wait, i thought he said he wasn't bothered about investigating video games in any way shape or form. Contradiction much?

  • frwe

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 2:43 pm GMT

    O lord politics Begin lol Scotland don't want him, England don't want him. As a whole Britian don't want him and let it remain Britian *btw Scottish*

    Also I agree Gordon Brown Should feck off . . . join Big Jack in America and both of ya can ruin a different country of gaming!

  • davebob75

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 2:00 pm GMT

    Gordon Brown should feck off back to scotland and ruin his own country and leave ours alone!!!

  • 45343542

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 12:59 pm GMT

    "Bloody boring Presbytarian Northern Sod that is Gordon Brown"


    I hear that

  • spatan11711

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 12:57 pm GMT

    tv is for more violent than games anyway.

  • wargod53

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 12:44 pm GMT

    Bloody boring Presbytarian Northern Sod that is Gordon Brown.... He is hell bent on killing our fun

  • Gamer_152

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 12:23 pm GMT

    Yeah, I heard they were gonna do this. At least they have the intellect to actually study what's out there but none the less the results should be interesting. As long as Brown doesn't treat any slight negative result as meaning video games are top of the line in Satans best (which I don't think he will) we should be fine.

  • 1sfn

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 12:14 pm GMT

    government are blatantly gonna blame video games... again.. its so stupid. There are some way more violent films .. but they're classed as art or some BS like that.

  • darren05r

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 11:49 am GMT

    they are just looking for a scapegoat for all the recent gun crime in england. Games are the easiest prey for the gov't and they will be for a long time yet

  • mcbride69

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 11:41 am GMT

    Its the chavy parents fault!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Vorknykx

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 11:41 am GMT

    How are they going to class violent video games. Mario has people jumping on characters heads, violent. Sonic has you rolling into objects, violent. Horse riding simulation games, using the whip, animal cruelty.

  • phoenixzero7

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 11:40 am GMT

    Thanks MWA, I get pretty annoyed by all this censorship malarky, and it seems like, because games are seen as the pursuit of children, it can be controlled in the way that children are controlled. If the government says that we can't play something we should listen because its very bad for us. Or something. Ultimately, when was the last time anyone did a study into the harmful effects of violent films on young children? Answer: A long time ago. Probably because the film industry is seen as a mature pass time, and therefore it obviously polices itself (along with the bbfc) quite easily. Games however...

    Seriously its getting ridiculous now.

  • microwavedapple

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 11:03 am GMT

    You should submit that to them, pheonixzero.

  • MxAxSxH

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 11:03 am GMT

    Tanya Byron was on the news a few days ago talking about this. She seems like a smart, sensible professional who won't be easliy swayed by sensationalists. I have high hopes for her study. Fingers crossed.

  • phoenixzero7

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 10:56 am GMT

    Here are some FACTS:
    1. It IS the parents fault, always
    2. If you have the want to kill people, you sure as hell are gonna do it whether or not you've played GTA.
    3. If games have such an effect on people, and one of the biggest selling games of all time on the N64 was Goldeneye / Perfect Dark, surely there would have been an influx of people rushing to join the secret services.
    4. Politicians like to use the media as a way of scaring people into voting for them.
    5. In the types of research into "violent" videogames, not once are any positive aspects of gaming bought up.

    Can we all now stop trying to censor an art form that has only been in existence 40 odd years, and get back to playing games that make us exercise, games that make us thing and games that challenge our preconceived ideas about ourselves and our world.

  • JimmeyBurrows

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 10:26 am GMT

    The government really sucks... they steal most of our pay checks and then they go and waste it on something we already know the answer to... and of course it pays for them to fly on their private jets as payed for by us!!! seriously we could run this country sooo much better without them!
    and lol to Ferron321's comment, that is totally true, gangs of chavs do need sorting, their everywhere and they give all teenagers a bad name to live up to!!! it's like 'oh those youths just caused another death with their violent gangs' well c'mon I didn't kill anyone, I don't bloody hang around with a bunch of thugs all day!!! I don't steal!!! why the hell am I being picked out of the crowd!!!!

  • Agermemnon

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 10:22 am GMT

    What people aged between 0-18 lol what a crock of crap as normal from that lot and how much will this all cost ????? just get on with running the country ( into the ground ) and leave the rest alone .

  • bonafasios

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 10:20 am GMT

    Most of you made good points, but don't say that violent videogames don't have a bad influence on some children. Kids are different than us. Some of them might want to recreate what they see in TV, movies and, of course, games. Parents have a hard time controlling what their kids are consuming. Don't forget that.

  • ferron321

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 10:17 am GMT

    Oh yeah, sure, lets take several months, and spend hunders of pounds to investiage if gaming is bad for kids, never mind the gang of chavs outside smoking weed and drinking alcohol. Im sure we'llget round to that some other time, but first, weve got to blame the video gaming community for all the deaths in the world

  • mike_vas_55

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 10:15 am GMT

    its the damn parents fault

  • jesus_markii

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 9:51 am GMT

    This is getting out of hand now some one needs to do something about all these goverments trying to censor everything the deem as "violent"

  • Range_Finder

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 9:49 am GMT

    If the parents would get off their backsides and stick to the age ratings on the box there would be no need to let people who have no clue about computer games investigate whether they affect kids or not

  • Edcase

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 9:42 am GMT

    I hope this is a step in the right direction for gamers and doesnt come back to kick us all in the balls. THis could once and for all stop most of the blame being put on games

  • covhunter

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 9:26 am GMT

    I'm hoping this leads to a conclusion that will shut the likes of Jack Thompson and those foamy mouthed Daily Mail readers up once and for all.

  • therapyhiccup

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 9:25 am GMT

    notice the word 'children'. that's all it should matter too. once you are an adult. you can do as you please and are responsible for your own actions.

  • Alterac_Barry

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 9:21 am GMT

    All those high-pitched rascals on XBL I have come across is countless. Hope there is no Indexing system being planned for introduction to the UK, what I've heard about it in Germany sounds like a nightmare, I mean no human blood?

  • zapper188

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 9:01 am GMT

    ANd sharply after saying stop the profanity will follow..


    And wash behind your ears too yeh dirty bugger!

  • jknight5422

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 8:10 am GMT

    This sounds like a new excuse for them to put cameras in the houses of their people, so they can watch what games they are playing & probably push out some comments to the gamers via a loud speaker "Stop the profanity!!"

  • SuP3R_TooT

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 8:06 am GMT

    ill let them run a study on my testicles and see if video games have affected them

  • monty_4256

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 7:54 am GMT

    lol gordon browns government
    by the sounds of things it won't be his too long...

    anyways yeah it's gonna be a shambles, since if they don't find a link mothers will say, "well a kid down the street shot a woman! And he looked like he played videogames" and then the government will turn round and say "tougher restrictions!"

  • redfox66

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 7:27 am GMT

    They will find out we all murder people because we play video games. Taking our victims out using Manhunt 2 style 'execution kills'

  • CrushedGroove

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 7:10 am GMT

    Alright, another study! I wonder if they'll turn up the exact same thing the other 5 million studies did.

  • pewens

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 7:08 am GMT

    As always, a lot of you guys have really good views on this. I suggest you all do what I did. Click the link above and give your opinion as they are asking for gamers views as well. It's quite long winded but at least we have a say on the subject! The more of us tell them the more they will have to listen! Power to Gamers and BURN the bad parents KILL KILL KILL! Sorry, I've been playing games for years now so I'm a evil monster....

  • Autolycus

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 7:00 am GMT

    BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING IT, it will come back with the results they want. All goverments want to stop free speech...

  • zapper188

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 6:43 am GMT

    Well, isin't that a great waste of time?
    Mr Brown shouldn't be worrying about video games, more about our ruined Health Service and youth Violence.

    If the results inconclusive it'll be tottally ignored by our fair and shameful Prime Minister but if it proves to have a theory behind it( Very Doubtful)..He'll milk it for all its worth, introduce a new system to prevent violence which'll cost billions, use it to try and gain more votes against David Cameron and get his mum to give him some warm milk before he goes to bed.

    *Sigh* Another waste of time anyway, I'm going to play games regardless.

  • goron_tunic

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 6:39 am GMT

    hes lost my vote
    hang on no one voted for him

  • ralinn

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 6:25 am GMT

    @ westsidejedi360

    Get a clue, idiot.

  • MariusSE

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 6:14 am GMT

    I prefer violence, I'm just too lazy to use it..

  • doughtybenjamin

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 5:59 am GMT

    this should be a good test, if the people who are involved are not buyouts then the outcome should be believable. im all up for it i will be interested to see the results. LONG LIVE VIDEO GAMES!!!

  • daleaf111

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 5:55 am GMT

    Why do they kkep on blaming computer games im 25 & have been playing all kinds of games since i was young and i hate violence i much prefer chilling out with a smoke and playing games, if kids go out and carry out vicious crimes after playing video games then i don't think you can blame the games u see much worse things on tv & films it's about time they investigated this just to show them how much bull they are talking. i agree with all of you that say its down to the parents to ensure that they don't play violent video games & think that most parents just think oh it only a game what harm can it do because they don't understand how games have changed from pac man to GTA and this is the problem that should be addressed

  • Witchsight

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 5:43 am GMT

    Finally, a study about violence and videogames. Im so excited i think im going to take a nap. Wake me up when they say Inconclusive. :yawn:

  • totalgridlock

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 5:35 am GMT

    I know it's been said over and over, but anyone (child or adult) who thinks it's okay to go around shooting people, robbing cars or beating people up has deeper issues than whether or not they also happened to play a few games.

    Seeing violent imagery in the media may well tip an already unbalanced individual over the edge, but then so could any number of other, even seemingly innocuous things. My point is that someone has to be pretty messed up to begin with to go around doing any of the stuff that video games always get blamed for.

    As for controlling a child's access to age-restricted material, that responsibility is the parent/guardian's. Kids are curious and if a parent does not keep an eye on what they are doing it's pretty likely they'll go around looking at inappropriate material for laughs. And how many parents buy 18-rated games for their 10-year old kids? I see it all the time. How many under-18s have seen 18-rated movies? Pretty much everyone!

    It's just another witch-hunt looking for the root of all society's evils. Anyone with half a brain can tell that today's problems cannot be blamed on any single factor and in fact, it is entertainment such as video games and films that are probably keeping a lot of kids off the streets and away from getting into trouble.

  • ukillwegrill

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 5:30 am GMT

    they just want tax us uk gamer even more for games like £75 for one game in the hope that kids wont be able to afford them and of course cuz they can

  • deakinj

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 5:06 am GMT

    i wonder how they'll gather "reliable" evidence...there are laws out there preventing the researchers from sitting down a bunch of children with video games, and also ethics to be considered, unless of course this is going to be one of those studies where the exploitation of the few (minors) can be beneficial to society (read:the excuse needed to raise taxes on games)
    i agree completely with the points raised before about the responsibility to raise children should lie with the parents, but any chance of that being announced is unlikely to say the least because of the importance in politics these days about appearing green, and family focused and that result would suggest they'd made mistakes... P.s., i live in the UK, so this is going to affect me if any negative findings are unearthed, as there undoubtedly will be in a govt. funded study...

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