Games:
Manhunt 2
Tanya Byron: You know, when the telephone was first invented, women were encouraged not to use it, in case it corrupted them. Any new technology can be used to create this type of great anxiety which can be used to create great headlines. There are aspects of the videogame market that are very frightening for some people and morally repugnant to some people and this is what the videogame industry has to accept as well. This is about freedom of choice and freedom of expression and some people just won’t like it.
But in terms of how you deal with these types of headlines, I think the more informed we all are and the more we all talk about these issues in a sensible, joined-up way, the less these headlines can exist in themselves. When you have a lot of people that don’t know a huge amount and are quite anxious about something – then of course you can write all sorts of things and get great ‘anxiety’ going, but the more people start to think about these issues themselves and don’t rely on the media to educate them, then the better it is for everybody really. Certainly for kids.
SPOnG: You’ve talked a lot today about how you are getting kids involved in the review.
Tanya Byron: Yes, we have the ‘Call For Evidence’ which kids can access online via the website or via MySpace or Bebo, and I’ll be engaging with a lot of children’s media to publicise this as widely as we possibly can to encourage kids to give their own feedback and evidence. We’ll also be doing focus groups with children and young people and parents. I’m doing everything I can to reach these people. The people who have the most important say in all this.
SPOnG: Well, they’ll certainly do that! Thanks for your time, Tanya. We look forward to hearing what you come up with next March.
Tanya Byron: No problems, thank you.
You can have your say in the review here. SPOnG urges the gaming community to send sensible responses only.
Games:
Manhunt 2
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Comments
tyrion 26 Oct 2007 17:56
1/11
She does seem to ave a fairly balanced view of this review. Let's hope the people who receive her recommendations are similarly balanced!
config 26 Oct 2007 20:06
2/11
I've seen a few of her "House of Tiny Tearaways" - I'm a parent, so I'm interested to see how bad it can get with kids (and to tackle fixing the problem)
The most encouraging thing about the show (in the context of games/internet content and kids) is that 9 times out of 10, when these kids go off the rails it's the parents that are to blame.
I'm in no doubt that this is the case with kids playing mature games. Tanya's suggestion that the rating system is confusing is interesting, though I'm more inclined to believe that many parents just don't care, at best because they still think games are aimed at kids, at worst because they don't give a fsck
The most encouraging thing about the show (in the context of games/internet content and kids) is that 9 times out of 10, when these kids go off the rails it's the parents that are to blame.
I'm in no doubt that this is the case with kids playing mature games. Tanya's suggestion that the rating system is confusing is interesting, though I'm more inclined to believe that many parents just don't care, at best because they still think games are aimed at kids, at worst because they don't give a fsck
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tyrion 27 Oct 2007 11:45
3/11
config wrote:
Tanya's suggestion that the rating system is confusing is interesting, though I'm more inclined to believe that many parents just don't care, at best because they still think games are aimed at kids, at worst because they don't give a fsck
Well, we both know someone who was of the opinion that they were a difficulty rating, not a content rating. And she's a loving, caring mother.
Her: "He's so smart, he's on to the 18 games already and he's only 13!"
Me: "Umm, you do know that's a content rating like on DVDs?"
Her: "What?!?!?"
When you think about it, it's not too strange a conclusion to come to, all the time they have been buying entertainment for their kids, the toys, board games, jigsaws and whatever are rated by age on difficulty or small parts. Now videogames are rated on content and age suitability? It's a bit of a leap if you don't realise.
Of course there are those parents who think "He's quiet, I don't care what he's watching." They are the ones who should be slapped with a £5K fine, and not just for giving age-inappropriate games to their kids.
hollywooda 28 Oct 2007 01:05
4/11
i would.... non violently....of course..hee hee....
zoydwheeler 28 Oct 2007 09:52
5/11
Thanks for that contribution there! Really enlightening...
hollywooda 28 Oct 2007 11:14
6/11
sorry, i didnt think of those people out there without a sense of humor, its called a little joke, look it up....
zoydwheeler 28 Oct 2007 11:35
7/11
It's just a s**t and old joke, is all. And, for the record, probably would.
hollywooda 29 Oct 2007 11:59
8/11
But!...you said?... whatever.....
(yer, i do like a Milf)
(yer, i do like a Milf)
Andronix 30 Oct 2007 22:39
9/11
Well done Spong for a genuine and interesting exclusive.
So much gamer news is recycled PR crap. This was a good interview that asked some pertinent questions.
I remember feeling sick of hearing Tanya's name because there was a few weeks when BBC Three seemed to be showing her programme non-stop.Anyway she sounds fairly balanced. She says her kids play games.
From what she said, It may be that she just has a universal age rating system (BBFC) and tries to make parents more aware of their responsibilities. Although games for adults might no longer be called games?!
well done.
Andronix
Playthree.net
So much gamer news is recycled PR crap. This was a good interview that asked some pertinent questions.
I remember feeling sick of hearing Tanya's name because there was a few weeks when BBC Three seemed to be showing her programme non-stop.Anyway she sounds fairly balanced. She says her kids play games.
From what she said, It may be that she just has a universal age rating system (BBFC) and tries to make parents more aware of their responsibilities. Although games for adults might no longer be called games?!
well done.
Andronix
Playthree.net
Peej 6 Nov 2007 14:05
10/11
Nice to see Dr Byron putting her side of things and not being misquoted and reported as head nanny in a nanny state looking to impose harsh restrictions on the games industry.
Time and time again the interview mentioned the most important point in all this, that responsibility lies with parents to actually make sure that they know and understand what games are about, how the ratings work, and if need be, tell their kids a firm "no" when it comes to them wanting to play games or access internet sites that are unsuitable for their age group.
With consoles (the 360 in particular) soon being patched to limit time children spend playing games, it does at least look like the industry is trying to do its bit. The weak links in all of this are still largely the parents.
pjmaybe - allaboutthegames.net
Time and time again the interview mentioned the most important point in all this, that responsibility lies with parents to actually make sure that they know and understand what games are about, how the ratings work, and if need be, tell their kids a firm "no" when it comes to them wanting to play games or access internet sites that are unsuitable for their age group.
With consoles (the 360 in particular) soon being patched to limit time children spend playing games, it does at least look like the industry is trying to do its bit. The weak links in all of this are still largely the parents.
pjmaybe - allaboutthegames.net
reddawn 28 Nov 2007 21:02
11/11
Could all this just be a front? It sounds mightily political to me. Looking into my crystal ball I see little positive result. Besides what can England do, when the virtual world is global?
The Byron chick could be well cast as a sorcerer's apprentice in a modern video game!
Pretty face, media savvy, the instrument of some gov PR initiative or other, (echoes of "Yes Minister") and some hidden agenda ... somewhere? Where I wonder? Who wants to do what and to whom? Could there be scope for some kind of tax? A sinecure in the shape of an online video Game Tsar?
It would be interesting to take a closer look?
The risk is not that dangerous games exist but rather that upstart initiatives irrupt, run out of control and wind up threatening or actually damaging fundamental liberties.
The online world is a new model, using outdated tools to try to measure it is an anachronism. The phenomenon is too young, it needs to evolve, and that may well be one of the key findings of Doc Byron's review. It is like trying to control the telephone! Daft! It is up to parents. She might usefully set up compulsory evening courses for recalcitrant parents. Now there's a thought!
The Byron chick could be well cast as a sorcerer's apprentice in a modern video game!
Pretty face, media savvy, the instrument of some gov PR initiative or other, (echoes of "Yes Minister") and some hidden agenda ... somewhere? Where I wonder? Who wants to do what and to whom? Could there be scope for some kind of tax? A sinecure in the shape of an online video Game Tsar?
It would be interesting to take a closer look?
The risk is not that dangerous games exist but rather that upstart initiatives irrupt, run out of control and wind up threatening or actually damaging fundamental liberties.
The online world is a new model, using outdated tools to try to measure it is an anachronism. The phenomenon is too young, it needs to evolve, and that may well be one of the key findings of Doc Byron's review. It is like trying to control the telephone! Daft! It is up to parents. She might usefully set up compulsory evening courses for recalcitrant parents. Now there's a thought!