Authors of "Grand Theft Childhood" : Parents often ignore game ratings

StarJet | April 22, 2008 | News | Misc

The first thing that might come into most people's minds is "What the hell is Grand Theft Childhood?". You may think it's another one of those "OMG! GTA is bad for children!!" things.
Fear not. \"Grand Theft Childhood : The Surprising Truth About Violent Video Games\" is a book written by two researchers against the negative hype about video game violence.
GamePolitics has decided to go through it and what is listed as one of the reasons as to why children get their hands on violent video games is : "Parents often ignore game ratings".

While [parents] were aware of the ESRB rating system, they didn’t always pay attention to it… [Some parents] looked at the artwork on the packaging or spoke with a store clerk… Several had M and T ratings confused… Some relied on their children’s own judgment…

Most acknowledged that while they might have strict rules at home prohibiting certain types of games, their children might easily play those games at another child’s house… [Parents expressed] frustration that they weren’t able to get the information they wanted and valued from the ratings…

Almost all of the parents we spoke with agreed with the age categories of the ESRB ratings - but for other people’s children, not for their own. They tended to let their younger teenagers play M-rated games and their preteen children playT-rated games…

8 comments | go to source (gamepolitics.com) | Add to favorites!

favourite this article |

send to friend |

add alt source

94	Most useless games ever: "Mean Girls", "Pretty in Pink" and "Clueless" in the works (8) July 23, 2008
88	(E3) Resident Evil 5 - "Shanty Town" and "Assembly Place" Gameplay Videos (6) July 15, 2008
51	Dead Rising Wii hands-on impressions - It's "Woeful" and "Terrible" (9) October 10, 2008
169	Fatal Frame IV alternate costumes - "Luigi" and "Zero Suit Samus" (8) August 4, 2008
53	Microsoft Game Studios is still a "key force" in the video game business (0) September 12, 2008

Comments

Comments with -10 or lower "thumbs" are removed from display.

0 thumbs!
Gamesta100 | April 23, 2008

That's when the parents actually even notice the rating anyway.I saw a woman that almost hired a 15+ movie for her kid who must have been about 4, just because it was an Xmas movie (albeit a violent one).
0 thumbs!
Silent Storm | April 23, 2008

Lol, it wasn't Black Christmas was it?

That kid would never be able to sleep again!
- 0 thumbs!
  Gamesta100 | April 23, 2008
  
  Nah it was a movie called Santa's Slay.It was a violent comedy.
0 thumbs!
tallteen86 | April 23, 2008

Finally some literature (not just on the internet) telling it like it is >_>

It isn't that freakin' hard to learn a few letters of the rating system. It is common sense really (though some don't have that), or at least it makes sense when you are aware of what the ratings mean....

E = Everyone
E10+ = Everyone 10+ Old
T = Teens
M = Mature
AO = Adults only

It is even clearer than the Movie/TV rating systems.

G = General Audiences
PG = Parental Guidance (what is that? 8 plus?)
PG 13 = Teens 13+
R = Restricted

It isn't as clear as the video game ones....

The European ratings system makes it even clearer I think, the numbers represent the ages it is considered suitable for >_>
- 0 thumbs!
  Silent Storm | April 23, 2008
  
  "Several had M and T ratings confused… Some relied on their children’s own judgment…"
  
  Seriously, parents are so lazy and ignorant that they can't look on the box for the description? And T and M aren't that hard to mix up...
0 thumbs!
Seeker X | April 23, 2008

Cmon, it's sad enough that we need something like this. I understand there are interest groups raising awareness about issues everyday...but to raise awareness about THIS? It's straight up scary as hell.
0 thumbs!
Seproth | April 23, 2008

I was assuming the worst when I saw the title...

I wonder if Fox will ask them to come on one of their shows to bash GTA without first reading the book...
0 thumbs!
Donnelly | April 23, 2008

I'm 17, GTA is an 18 where I'm from. I love my shitey fake ID that rarely fails despite how obviously fake it looks.

And then there's ordering online. I can say I'm 35 online and the shops are more than happy to accept that.