Byron Report Released News
Chris Leyton
27/03/2008
UK report calls for mandatory BBFC classifications on games aimed at 12 or above...
Following six months of research and investigations, the UK government today issued Dr Tanya Byron's report into the risks of violent videogames for children.
Well known for her work on television (less so for Jennifer Saunder's sitcom The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle), the report draws upon months of discussions with the UK games industry, along with discussions with children and parents.
Marking the first time such a report has been conducted across the globe, the report suggests a revamp to the age ratings system currently employed for videogames targeted towards children aged 12 and above. Exactly how this differs to the cinema/DVD styled BBFC classifications for mature games and the PEGI system is currently unclear, though it's believed that the report will place a greater demand on the BBFC to classify games in this bracket as opposed to the mandatory setup for games containing sexual content or gross violence.
Reports on the BBC suggest that the UK government is willing to implement all of the report's recommendations in full. With the advice that games should not have two different ratings this suggests that the UK games industry could scrap the PEGI system currently employed across Europe.
Further advice on the ways in which videogames are advertised is also contained within the report, which also focuses on the risk of the internet and virtual worlds.