Kotaku
Those two great tastes that taste great together, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board and the Parent Teacher Association are gearing up for a big push towards educating parents about gaming ratings, parental controls, and video game safety in general. They're going to assault the epidemic of ignorant parents with a barrage of educational pamphlets, available both online and off, covering such topics as setting up parental controls, making sure your child isn't being solicited by perverts, and of course, the ratings themselves. Along with the pamphlets, there will be a free webcast on the 23rd of this month at 7 PM Eastern featuring ESRB president Patricia Vance and PTA president Jan Harp Domene, and GamerDad Andrew S. Bub covering all these topics and ending with a Q&A session with the trio. Hit the jump for the full press release, which includes information on where to get your hands on those lovely pamphlets and how to participate in the webcast, the audience of which will most likely be 99% gaming press, ourselves included.
ESRB AND PTA LAUNCH NEW NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE PARENTS ABOUT GAME RATINGS, PARENTAL CONTROLS AND ONLINE VIDEO GAME SAFETY
Booklets Distributed to PTAs and Available Online; Free Educational Webcast Scheduled for April 23
NEW YORK - Furthering their shared commitment to informing parents, Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) and Parent Teacher Association (PTA) have launched a nationwide education campaign through which a new booklet, "A Parents Guide to Video Games, Parental Controls and Online Safety
In addition to the booklet, a free webcast
"Video games continue to be a popular source of learning and entertainment for children, but today's games provide players with new abilities to interact with one another via online play. Just as with the Internet, that kind of interaction carries with it some risks," said Domene. "Using the ESRB ratings and setting up parental controls are important, proactive steps that parents can take to make sure their kids are playing games they deem appropriate. And being aware of the risks posed by online-enabled games and what can be done to keep their kids safe when playing online is crucial information for parents. We're very pleased to be offering them this guidance with the help of ESRB."
"Three in four parents use the ESRB ratings regularly when selecting games for their children, and the parental control features available in all the newest game systems give parents more control over the games their children play than ever before," said Vance. "But it's important for parents to fully appreciate what the experience of playing games today encompasses. Many online-enabled games allow players to interact in new ways, including online competitions or chatting with one another via text, audio or video. Parents should understand what type of content their child might be exposed to when playing games online, and what steps they can take to shield their children from content they deem inappropriate."
"Online-enabled games have opened up a whole new world of possibilities. Playing games online with others, whether they be friends or strangers, allows players to compete or cooperate with one another in new and exciting ways, and that enriches their experience with those games," said Bub, also known as GamerDad. "But with that ability to interact comes the ability to introduce content into a game that might not be appropriate for all players. Making sure parents are aware of the tools they can use to protect their kids is a central part of the GamerDad mission, and I'm delighted to have been able to take part in this initiative to arm parents with this information."
The ESRB engages in several ratings education initiatives that involve print, television and radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs) among other vehicles. Most recently, the ESRB launched a new ratings search "widget," which allows parents to search for ESRB ratings from a portable mini application that can be placed on their desktops, embedded in social networking pages or other web sites, and even shared with friends via email. It is available for free download at www.esrb.org/widget
While many of ESRB's initiatives focus primarily on raising awareness and use of the ratings, the partnership with PTA also provides parents with valuable guidance and resources about computer and video games, parental controls and online safety, and is among the most extensive to date in terms of ground level support for communities nationwide.
PTAs nationwide will begin receiving the booklets in the coming days, and are encouraged to share them with PTA member parents through their PTA unit programs and events. The booklet is also be available online to all concerned parents through PTA.org.
Comments
Good to see the campaign. Nice article. But, I miss the good ol' days when parental control consisted of a "Shut the hell up and go to your room" or parents just ripping video game systems from the t.v. and saying "Its mine now"
[cynical]
I don't know if this was just me, but do you ever get the feeling that parents simply don't care anymore?
They are too busy with work and self advancement and just see games as an easy way to keep their kids quiet?
They don't need to educate parents on video game ratings, this stuff should be common sense. Instead what they should be doing is jailing negligent parents who get caught giving their kids 18 rated games.
I'm sure that'd make them pay attention.
[/Cynical]
Otherwise of course, it's a good idea. I guess. I still think it's pretty obvious already though.
It's nice to hear of an organization embracing the ESRB instead of condemning the quality of their rating process and format.
Because you just know that 7 year old kids are getting there hands on Manhunt 2. Really, if the parent's cared they would do something.
As a non-American I'd like to ask: is this sort of info communicated to parents and children through schools or anything like that? Or do parents actually have to say to themselves, "Gee, I think I'm going to stop letting games and TV educate my kids and find out what their content is all about"?
@Edmon: I'm with you, to be honest. I'm still quite young (21), but my parents didn't let me watch rated films until I was the appropriate age. As it happens I didn't have any interest in rated games until I was old enough anyway.
Were my parents a little bit overly strict and could have trusted me a bit more? Sure.
Do I resent them for it? Hell no. They actually gave a shit about my upbringing and decided they knew best. And I love them all the more for it.
@Edmon: It's so weird too that i'm pretty sure it's a crime to give a child porn but it's not a crime to give a kid an 18+ game.
@Edmon:
I'm with you Edmon.
@Kazzahdrane: - "Do I resent them for it? Hell no. They actually gave a shit about my upbringing and decided they knew best. And I love them all the more for it."
Your parents would be damn proud.
"The campaign enables and encourages PTAs to educate their community's parents about the ESRB rating system and parental control technology available on the various game systems, as well as the concerns that exist when games are played over an Internet connection and what parents can do to mitigate those concerns."
It's about damn time somebody is doing something! If I hear one more "parent" scream that "my child should not be playing these violent games, and companies shouldn't be marketing them to children", I think I may scream.
@Kazzahdrane: So very true.
@Edmon: totally agree. If you've ever been to a parents house after work, its one thing, but come the weekend... its still the same thing. In most cases. Kids, I imagine, can be exhausting, but TV and Games should not be the only factor in their lives.
@dead_red_eyes: Thanks, I'm pretty sure they are. Won't go on, but my folks are (IMO) amazing parents and my dad in particular is just the sort of father I aspire to be one day.
More on-topic: @Black_Ops_19: Dude that is my real pet peeve. "Oh God, I am POWERLESS to stop my children doing things I find inappropriate!!!" Wish parents would just grow a pair (disgustingly, that includes mothers) and stop acting like victims.
I understand that I can be easily slapped into my place with "you're not a parent, don't lecture us unless you know what it's like", and that's true to a point. Of course the problem with that is you set the example to future parents that parenting is a very passive occupation and heydoyouwannagogetabeer?thekidshavethenewgrandtheftautotokeepthemquiet.
/rant...for now.
jail? really? i see the ratings as more of a guide to let you know what to expect not as laws forbidding access. i watched R movies when i was youger. my family taught me what was real and fantasy. jailing parents sounds as stupid as the kid who tried to sue Spielberg cuase he got jurassic park toys but his parents said he couldn't see any PG 13 movies. guess they didn't get the parental guidance part.
My parents raised me to lead a good life and have something called common sense. Even though my parents were ignorant of the ratings (because they grew up and lived a life of simplicity), I made it my responsibility to educate them on the ESRB ratings. They thank me because of it and they now know what is safe and whatnot. Even though I am of age, I can distinguish between fantasy and reality. As much as I hate to say it, it is also the children's fault for not informing the parents of the ratings of the games they are buying. They are taking the parents lack of knowledge for granted (or the kid could be spoiled), but it is also the parent's responsibility to get involved in their child's upbringing. Nevertheless, it's good that ESRB and the PTA are getting together to educate the parents. People can't say that they aren't trying to get the message out.
I'm glad something like this is finally coming about. I love how he media and parents go all off on gaming and the content, but they don't realize that the ESRB was founded in 1994. I love when you would hear stories pop up a few years ago about states declaring that video games must be rated, etc... But indeed this country needs to stop letting the console do the baby sitting and get more involved in their children's lives.
I find the arguments that parents are negligent if they give their children mature rated materials as bad as the parents who don't give a damn at all.
I was taught guidelines and I learned to use logic and reason. My parents taught me that the stove was hot and that it would hurt if I touched it, but if I damn well wanted to touch it anyway they wouldn't stop me. You know, the whole "We'll educate you the best we can but your the one that is responsible for your own decisions," type of thing. I've avoided a lot of things that would of been bad for my life at the cost of a few tiny bumps along the way. And this is the type of education that spans across all areas of life, not just video games.
About time someone stepped in.
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