In society today, children are faced with violent and sexually suggestive images on a daily basis. Television and movies are filled with adult content, as well as songs on the radio and Internet sites they can easily access. Parents, teachers, and other authority figures try extremely hard to shield kids from these evils. However difficult the task is, there are steps that have been taken to lessen the amount of adult themes that children are exposed to.
One of the avenues that has been implemented is the Entertainment Software Ratings Board, or ESRB, which was founded in 1994. This company has developed a videogame ratings system that will help parents keep their children away from games that have adult subject matter. The system is by no means perfect—of course there will always be children who are left unsupervised to play these games that are meant only for adults. But the usage of this system has also resulted in many children playing games that are meant solely for their age. While the system is not the only answer to monitoring children’s exposure to offensive material, it is a responsible and effective step at protecting children’s sensitivities.
How Does the ESRB Work?
The ESRB was founded after adult-related videogames began to swarm the markets. Games like “Mortal Kombat” and “Grand Theft Auto” were being played by children far too young to be exposed to ‘videogame crime.’ The ratings system was developed to help parents decipher what was acceptable for their children before purchasing the games. The block-lettered system appears in a clear and easy to spot location on each package.
What are the ESRB Ratings?
EC, or Early Childhood, contains no inappropriate material, and can be played by children 3 years and older. E is for Everyone—there is minimum fantasy, mild violence and language, and can be played by children 6 years and older. E10+, or Everyone 10+, has an increased level of suggestive themes, but can be played by those 10 years and older.
T for Teen is where the ratings get more detailed—there is violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimum blood, simulated gambling, and strong language. The Teen rating is for 13 years and older. M, for Mature, contains intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and strong language. Much like the R rating for movies, this rating is for games that should be played by individuals 17 years and older. AO, for Adult Only, has prolonged and intense violence, graphic sexual content and nudity, and should only be played by adults 18 years and older (ESRB).
Descriptions for Videogame Content
This detailed system is available right on the box for parents to see. Even more information about each game can be found on the ESRB Web site. There are more comprehensive descriptions about the definitions of the terms, so that parents can also interpret what the content explanations mean. For example, crude humor is defined as “depictions or dialogue involving vulgar antics, including ‘bathroom’ humor” (ESRB). Violence is described as “scenes involving aggressive conflict, and may contain bloodless dismemberment” (ESRB). The availability of these descriptions can also aid parents in deciding whether their individual child is prepared to see each separate factor. The ratings system has been improved by the accessibility of these elements.
What Critics Say About the System
Although some detractors of the system may say that the ESRB does not rate videogames fairly (some say that sexual content and violence should be given separate ratings), the system is updated frequently with over 1,000 videogames being given ratings yearly (“The Ratings Game”). In many ways, the videogame ratings system is more user-friendly and understandable than the ratings given by television and movie producers. The content of the videogames is given on the box, or even just a click away on the ESRB Web site.
There are also parent guides to videogames available online so that parents can communicate with each other about what their children are playing or how they are affected by certain games. Organizations like Whattheyplay.com, Parent’s Choice, and iParenting Media Awards all work together to help monitor the videogame system ratings.
What the Government Says
Even legislators are paying attention to the content in videogames. The Family Entertainment Protection Act (FEPA) was passed in 2005—this law says that there would be fines of a $1000 or 100 hours of community service if someone sold a M or AO rated videogame to a minor (“Senators Clinton”). While some critics have said this is an over-the-top measure, many parents were glad that stores couldn’t sell inappropriate games (meant for individuals 17 years and older) to their children.
Although there will always be children who are allowed to play videogames no matter its content, the entertainment business is better because of this ratings system. It doesn’t matter that the ratings system can’t help everyone—there are many children it can help, and many parents who will feel better that they’re not making their children grow up faster just because they bought them an inappropriate game like “Soldier of Fortune.” The videogame ratings system should be kept in place as long as gaming companies continue to manufacture games that include violence and sexual content.
Erin Konrad - Hey everybody! I'm so excited to be writing for this website. I'm just starting out in this field, but I've worked on my university's ...
