Kotaku: Tanya Byron

UK Government Forms Byron Review Action Plan

Leigh Alexander — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:20:00 MDT

Britain's Byron Review, in which the big-smiling Dr. Tanya Byron made a series of measured, generally reasonable findings and recommendations regarding children's use of video games and the internet, has now produced an "action plan" from the UK government.

Starting in July, the government will work on proposing Britain's classification system, and propose changes by 2009. Another phase of the plan will involve agreeing on a classification for online games, launching an awareness campaign for game ratings, developing appropriate parental controls in conjunction with the industry, and working with Trading Standards to ensure that games don't get sold to kids of an age inappropriate to the ratings.

This is the sort of mutual-interest collaboration that seems to work a little better than some of the contentious and pricey (and ultimately unsuccessful) litigious efforts we often see in the States.

The sticking point remains the recommendation that the ratings system should favor the BBFC over PEGI - thereby resulting in further UK release delays, as we reported earlier.

Government publishes Byron Review action plan [GamesIndustry.biz]

Guardian Warns Politicians, Columnists: Gamers Are Taking Over, Deal With It

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:20:54 MDT

Richard Bartle, co-author of the original MUD, as MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo was kind enough to remind us, has a warning for UK politicians—and, we assume, the other silver haired no-funster luddite types—that their wrinkly old asses are about to be in the minority. That is, the minority of the population who have grown up with computer games in their lives. The best part, according to Bartle? "They aren't addicted, they aren't psychopathic killers, and they resent those boneheads - that's you - who imply that they are addicted and are psychopathic killers," he writes.

Bartle smugly namechecks Tanya Byron's level-headed report on the plight of raising children in a digital age, with access to realistic, sometimes violent video games. He finally warns "Gamers vote. Gamers buy newspapers. They won't vote for you, or buy your newspapers, if you trash their entertainment with your ignorant ravings." Yeah! Get 'em, Rich!

We've won: get over it [Guardian]

What's Next For Dr. Tanya? We'd Like To Know!

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 06:40:51 MDT

The dust has settled on the gaming and internet review from game playin', booze drinkin', clinical psychologist Tanya Byron. Now that it's finished, what is Dr. Tanya going to do? First up, she's going on vacation with her family. But after that...? Will she be returning to the gaming industry? Dr. Tanya seems reasonable enough, we'd love to have her back! Says the good doctor:

I will always — whether informally or formally — be very clear about how much I enjoyed working with the video games industry. And I will always talk about how much I enjoy playing games with my kids. You've got a friend in me. But how that is formalised in the future, who knows? I don't know if the industry would want me. But never say never.
I've spoken about my own love of gaming with my own family. My son, when I was given this job last year, said to me: "Mummy, please do not ban video games because I will have no friends.' He literally said on the morning the Review was published: "Thanks mum. Phew!"

Aw, how sweet. Wonder what Jack Thompson's kid says... Not so sweet. Probably kinda sad! Poor kid.
Tanya Interview [MCVUK]

Tanya Byron Still Likes To Play Games, Possibly When Drunk

Mark Wilson — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:40:00 MDT

Tanya Byron, the clinical psychologist behind the now-quasi-infamous Byron Review actually enjoys playing some games herself. With friends. And booze.

I have talked about the fact we play Nintendo Wii with our kids, and we have all sorts of consoles in the house. And my husband and I, at the end of the day, quite like trying to play tennis on the Wii with our mates who've had a few drinks.

A few drinks?? She continues:

We like games in our house, videogames are fun, it's what children do. Kids need a balanced media diet, and they need, you know, not to be spending too much time gaming and not doing other things. But fundamentally, you need to celebrate it and empower and enable them to do it safely.

So while the Byron Review may have scared the hell out of some media outlets, it hasn't scared the hell out of Tanya Byron. Or the attendees of her late night Wii hazing parties. Dr Tanya Byron: Part Two [Gamesindustry via GoNintendo]

You Will Fear The Byron Review

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 07:20:00 MDT

Or, at least, you'll fear its cover. Yes, this is actually on the actual cover of the Byron Review. No, I'm not taking the piss. Isn't it great? Zombie molesting handhelds and inappropriate double entendres...it's like Fahey's worst nightmare come true.

Read The Byron Review Yourself

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 03:30:00 MDT

As expected, much of the British press (and even isolated pockets of the British gaming press, who should know better) have been grossly misreporting the findings of Dr. Tanya Byron's pleasantly reasonable review into how the internet and games are adversely affecting children. And if you can't trust the media to get it right, who can you trust? Yourself, hopefully, so if you'd like to read the review sans alarmist mainstream media spin, the whole thing's at the link below.
Safer Children in a Digital World: the report of the Byron Review [British Department For Schools & Families]