This post rated “M” for grow up already.
From the ESRB site: “The ESRB is a non-profit, self-regulatory body that independently assigns ratings, enforces advertising guidelines, and helps ensure responsible online privacy practices for the interactive entertainment software industry.” The ratings start at EC (early childhood) and have 4 levels between that and AO (adults only) and these ratings are displayed pretty obviously on any game that has been rated- which these days is a fair number of them. The process for rating games is, in my opinion, reasonably thorough, and is fairly transparent and accessible by any parent who wants to learn more about their kid’s hobbies.
Therein lies the rub, of course. How many parents do you know that have actually looked over the ESRB site? How many do you know that check the ratings on the games their kids want to buy?
I remember very clearly when I was a kid and it was very nearly impossible to get a new game out of my folks. There were several factors, I will admit, but my mother definitely put her foot down over the content of several shooters. (I would like to go on the record here and proudly say that my mother was instrumental in the glorious defeat of Gannon, and was known to put us kids to bed early so that she and Dad could play Zork. My folks were pretty cool.) It really does all come back around to people taking responsibility for their own actions. If they don’t want their children to play violent video games, then they shouldn’t BUY those games, or allow them in the house. It’s called ‘parenting’.
I know, it’s impossible to keep people- especially kids- completely away from those things verboten by parents. Going to your friend’s house to play Grand Theft Auto: Vatican City is the new version of sneaking behind the barn and smoking, but let’s be realistic about it. If you’re concerned about your children playing games that you think will stunt their emotional growth/twist their psyches/make their teeth yellow then talk to them about your concerns. Kids aren’t dumb, they just don’t think about these things. Going off half cocked isn’t going to help anyone, and over legislating things is only going to be messy, expensive, and frankly, only going to make a nice big legal mess for lawyers to squabble over until the next type of ‘evil corrupter of youth’ comes around and we go through this all over again.
Me? I’m going to go listen to some evil jazz, have some of the Devil’s hot toddys, and read a banned book and start thinking of character names for my future kids.
ESRB parental tips here, in case you were curious.
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November 5th, 2007 at 3:06 am
Honestly, speaking to the choir. Most of the people who read this blog, I would dare say, are already aware that the ESRB is completely ineffectual because parent’s don’t care about it at all.
I know my mom would often ask what the game was rated, but recently, she’s stopped doing this for my younger brothers. This might be because I turned out fine, despite buying the games myself (the store didn’t care that I was 10 and buying a teen game, because the only real restrictions apply to mature games). So, my parents have become desensatized to ‘video games promote violence.’ Personally, while they aren’t taking as active a role, I’m torn because she’s not blaming video games for anything in particular - she’s just accepting them for what they are - games.
Not much worse than that horrifically violent and racist game that is Cowboys and Indians.
November 5th, 2007 at 8:12 am
I realize that I am somewhat trying to convert the converted here. But I think that the point is that the ESRB isn’t the entity that should be held responsible. The ratings themselves are merely reccommendations, and it is up to those who want those ratings to mean something to follow up. It is up to the parents who complain about the violence or sex or fluffy bunnies in games to enforce the ratings. It’s the parents that need to grow up…
November 5th, 2007 at 11:54 am
-nods- This is very true. That’s an excellent point. The ratings exist so that people can follow them. If no one is actually listening to them, then they’re just yelling into the air.
The ratings board is completely useless if no one is listening. And someone needs to do something to remind parents of this. However, I question if ratings as a whole aren’t phasing out. Are the ratings for movies being dealt with similarly?