The National Institute on Media and the Family has issued its 2007 report card on the video game industry, and has reached some rather unsurprising conclusions: despite a few retailers’ steps to curtail childrens’ access to violent video games and new software and parental controls, these efforts have not kept pace with game publishers, and violence in video games continues to increase. Furthermore, the group warns the video game industry is becoming complacent about content standards for video games, and finds that children are spending too much time playing inappropriate games. Describing 2007 as an "ominous backslide," the group is calling for significant changes to the video game ratings system and warns parents about video game tournaments being used to recruit youths towards ever more-violent games.
According to the annual MediaWise poll, conducted by Harris Interactive, just over half of parents (54 percent) claim to ever use video game ratings in deciding that titles their children can and cannot play; however, 72 percent of parents know little or nothing about the ratings system and many could not identify the meanings of ratings like AO (Adults Only) or EC (Early Childhood). The poll also found few parents play the games their children play, and the amount of time children spend playing video games causes friction in families, with 38 percent of kids and families reporting arguments over when children can play video games.
The report also finds that while about two thirds of retailers try to educate customers about ESRB ratings, minors can successfully purchase M-rated games about half the time (although some retailers, including KMart, Hollywood Video, and EB Games had 100 percent compliance). Overall, older teens were more easily able to buy M-rated games, and younger sales clerks were more likely to let minors purchase inappropriate games.
So what games does the National Institute for Media and the Family recommend be kept away from children? They’re all rated M for "Mature":
- Assassin’s Creed
- Call of Duty 4
- Conan
- The Darkness
- Jericho
- Kane & Lynch: Dead Men
- Manhunt 2
- Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles
- Stranglehold
- Time Shift
And what titles does the institute recommend for children and teens?
- FIFA Soccer 08
- Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
- Hannah Montana: Spotlight World Tour
- Madden NFL 08
- Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games
- Need for Speed Pro Street
- The Sims 2: Castaway
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- Super Mario Galaxy
- Viva Pinata
