This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/technology/7314751.stm

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Review 'to change games ratings' Review 'to change games ratings'
(about 5 hours later)
A shake-up of video game ratings is expected in a government-backed review due to be released into the impact of the internet and games on children. The video game ratings system should be revamped to make it easier for parents and children to understand, a UK government-backed review has said.
The review was led by psychologist Dr Tanya Byron, who was tasked with making children safer in the digital world. The review was carried out by psychologist Dr Tanya Byron, who has recommended a new rating for games aimed at children aged 12 plus.
Games currently receive a mandatory review by classifiers only if they contain "human sexual activity" or "gross violence". Games currently get a mandatory review by classifiers only if they have "human sexual activity" or "gross violence".
Dr Byron is also expected to call for a UK body to oversee child net safety. Dr Byron has also called for a UK body to oversee children's internet safety.
The review was launched last year at the request of Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Dr Byron said her review had led her to conclude that parents' general lack of confidence and awareness was "leaving children vulnerable to risks within their digital worlds".
Her review said that "digital world risks are similar to real world risks but can be enhanced by the anonymity and ubiquity that the online space brings".
Voluntary system
Each year the industry submits about 100 games for review by the British Board of Film Classification.
The introduction of a statutory requirement to classify games for children aged 12 plus will see the workload of the BBFC increase dramatically.
The games industry also adheres to a voluntary European ratings system called Pegi. It means some games can have two differing ratings from the two bodies.
Dr Byron has said games should have just one set of symbols on the front of all boxes which are the same as those for films.
The review was launched last year at the request of the then Prime Minister Tony Blair.
At the start of the review, Dr Byron told BBC News: "The study will be about what industry is doing already to protect children and what more could be done to ensure they have a positive experience on the internet and with games."At the start of the review, Dr Byron told BBC News: "The study will be about what industry is doing already to protect children and what more could be done to ensure they have a positive experience on the internet and with games."
The review's publication follows a report by the Insitute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) which says many young people are effectively being "raised online", spending in excess of 20 hours a week using sites such as Bebo, Myspace, Facebook and YouTube. Dr Byron's report has said the online industry needs to take greater responsibility when it comes to policing content posted to websites, such as video sites and social networks.
She has recommended codes of practice for the industry, which should be independently monitored.
The review has also recommended:
• The creation of a website for parents where they can find our more information about online safety
• A comprehensive public information and awareness campaign on child internet safety
• Clear and consistent guidance for industry on how games should be advertised
• High profile efforts to increase parents understanding of age ratings and improved parental controls
The review's publication follows a report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) which says many young people are effectively being "raised online", spending in excess of 20 hours a week using sites such as Bebo, Myspace, Facebook and YouTube.
The IPPR has called on the government to do more to protect young people from inappropriate content.The IPPR has called on the government to do more to protect young people from inappropriate content.
The think tank has called for an annual report produced by regulator Ofcom on the effectiveness of initiatives aimed at tackling harmful internet content.The think tank has called for an annual report produced by regulator Ofcom on the effectiveness of initiatives aimed at tackling harmful internet content.
The IPPR also wants Ofcom to police cross-industry guidelines setting out the limits of what young people can expect when on social networks and how to behave online.The IPPR also wants Ofcom to police cross-industry guidelines setting out the limits of what young people can expect when on social networks and how to behave online.
More than half of all children surveyed by the IPPR reported they had come into contact with online pornography.More than half of all children surveyed by the IPPR reported they had come into contact with online pornography.
Dr Byron's report is expected to recommend cross-industry codes of practice which are independently monitored, on areas such as user generated content.
The review is also expected to recommend the creation of a website for parents where they can find out more information about online safety.