Byron Review response

Thursday 27th March/...ELSPA, the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association, welcomes the findings of the Byron Review. It lays out an important framework to deliver a better understanding of how to protect children on-line and when playing video games.

Paul Jackson, Director General, ELSPA, said: “We fully support Dr Byron's advice to parents on the use of technology in the home and parental awareness of their children's activities, including the need for wider awareness of age ratings on video games.

“We believe in one legally enforceable system for classification of video games and to build increased public awareness of both the age ratings system and the long-standing availability and use of parental controls on all games consoles.

“However, we are concerned that the proposals as they stand may struggle to keep up with the public’s increasing desire to buy and play on-line.

“The games industry would need to be re-assured that the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) would be capable of delivering against any new remit, or whether PEGI may be more appropriate. We welcome the news that the Government wishes to consult with the industry on any changes to the classification system.”

“We look forward to working very closely with Government over the next few months to address these concerns as the implications of the review are fully understood.”

ENDS.

EDITORS NOTES:

About ELSPA - http://www.elspa.com

ELSPA (The Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association) was founded in 1989 to establish a specific and collective identity for the computer and video games industry. Membership includes almost all companies concerned with the publishing and distribution of interactive leisure software in the UK.

http://www.elspa.com

For further information, please contact:

Laura West ( laura.west@bhpr.co.uk)

Tel: +44 (0)1462 456780

BHPR Troopers Yard, Bancroft, Hitchin, Herts. SG5 1JW

Fax: +44 (0)1462 456781

www.bhpr.co.uk