Euro MP calls for red button to control computer games

“Is there an election for the parliament of silly ideas due soon?”

“I have heard and read many times in the national media, concern that content in stuff like playstation games is gearing away very much from what might be considered appropriate for children- and that is a reality. It seems to be purely in the interests of selling to a wider market- or what is perceived as entertainment.
It is a fact of life that many young children use platstations, whether we like it or not. I agree there are some safety measures, like age recommendations- but there are often "hidden" elements that can be undesirable.So I agree there needs to be more stringent controls- AND an imaginative approach by manufacturers to gear part of their market more appropriately towards younger people.This would not impact in any way on the "adult" users/market- so I can't see why cause for complaint.
I have absoloutely no problem with sanctioning certain obvious games from my son-
but there seems to be a lot of undesirable content in amongst otherwise entertaining games.
The reality is, as I say- playstation games are the "norm" amongst childern's entertainment , therefore there should be the same precautions appled as any other form of online stuff/TV etc.”

“All current consoles already have a big red button (called the on/off switch) and parental controls that can be set to prevent videos and games (both on disc and downloaded) from being played that are not age appropriate for whoever is using it.

What is actually needed is for parents to take responsibility for their children in the first place, set the parental controls, use one the vast numbers of online resources available to them to check the content of a game in depth before purchase, actually look at the age rating on the game case and take it seriosuly and learn to say "No Timmy, you're 12, I'm not buying you Grand Theft Auto, I don't care if it is 'just a game'"”

“I'm not sure about a "big red button"(!)- but any research on
creating safer play online etc is surely a good thing.”

“I'd like to actually hear from parents with children currently at a young age, and who do have current experience of their children using some of these games.
One small example is some of the skateboarding games on PS3- eg swearing and cars knocking people over as entertainment.This is deemed 12+; or car racing games that include police chases etc- again 12+. I think the PS3 manufacturers should think a bit more about children playing some of these games, which are otherwise enjoyable and entertaining. It seems when newer versions of games come out, the neagtive content increases in many cases.
And it is not always obvious from the age limits or front covers of games.
Considering how popular PS3 type games are with children and young people, I agree there should be safer measures applied.
These games are not just for teenagers and adults.”

“1. If access was restricted on the unit's software between certain times - you wouldn't need the button anyway.

2. Has it got to the point now where parents can't control their kids enough that they need a big red button on everything? Should TV sets come with big red 'block' buttons?

3. Isn't it quicker to press the 'off' switch - like every other device - that's what it's there for...?

4. If a game has an 18 sticker on it then why would a parent buy it for their kid in the first place? If they see their kid has an 18 rated game and they're underage - take it away.

This big red button idea is a stupid waste of taxpayers money. Go plant some trees or something.”

“You've got my vote Dave :-) Still, she's got her picture in the paper, maybe they get a bonus on column inches.”

“A Long Eaton man has called for all Euro MP's to be fitted with red auto-destruct buttons that taxpayers can press when the MP's start spouting stupid ideas...”

“Yet another example of the sort of useless tripe which is typical of these waste-of-money, gravy rain-riding Euro MPs. Stop wasting my money and get a real job and do us all a favour.”

“Or - rather than simply stating that all computer games are bad, why aren't parents teaching their children the difference between fantasy and reality? Good and bad? Right and wrong?

Obviously the fact that I play computer games void my comments and automatically make me a robbing, psychopathic mass murderer though! /sarc”