Thompson: Government, industry and parents have a shared responsibility

Ahead of the release of the Byron Review, Microsoft's Neil Thompson thinks that a partnering approach is required going forward.

"Government has a role to play here, industry has a role to play here, and parents have an incredibly important role to play here," he told GamesIndustry.biz.

He noted that certain elements of the press can decide to radicalise certain issues - at the same time that most "mainstream common sense people" acknowledge that there are risks that need to be minimised.

Thompson referred to Microsoft sending employees to schools to talk to children, teachers and parents about the risks of online activities.

"...I think that sort of approach, and a partnering approach, is what's required going forwards.

"I wouldn't say the whole thing needs to sit with government, I wouldn't say the whole thing needs to sit with industry, and I wouldn't say the whole thing sits with parents to understand it - it's a combination of those three things, when put together in combination with the right amount of energy, could make a real difference," he said.

Thompson has high expectations that the Byron Review will possibly find some innovative ways of bringing government, industry and parents together to take a balanced approach to solving problems.

Ratings systems and parental controls need to be combined with involved parenting.

"It's important that parents understand how children are using the technologies that are out there."

The second part of our interview with Neil Thompson may be read here.