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A group of primary school headteachers has warned parents that they could be reported to the police and social services if they let their children play 18-rated games.
As reported by the Telegraph, a letter allegedly sent to parents by the Nantwich Education Partnership last month claims that playing games like Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto could lead to “early sexualised behaviour” in children, and that “inappropriate access” to adult games is considered “neglectful”.
“Several children have reported playing or watching adults play games which are inappropriate for their age and they have described the levels of violence and sexual content they have witnessed,” the letter is said to read. “Call Of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, Dogs Of War and other similar games are all inappropriate for children and they should not have access to them.
“If your child is allowed to have inappropriate access to any game or associated product that is designated 18-plus we are advised to contact the police and children’s social care as it is neglectful.”
The letter continues: “Access to these games or to some social media sites such as those above [Facebook & What’s App] increases early sexualised behaviours (sometimes harmful) in children and leaves them vulnerable to grooming for sexual exploitation or extreme violence.”
The Nantwich Education Partnership is said to represent 16 schools, including 15 primary schools and one secondary academy.
The government introduced a law in summer 2012 restricting the sale of PEGI-rated games to minors. Prior to then, only BBFC certificates had been legally enforceable.
PEGI’s website states that its age ratings are designed to “provide guidance to consumers (particularly parents) to help them decide whether or not to buy a particular product”.
“The rating on a game confirms that it is suitable for players over a certain age,” the organisation says. “Accordingly, a PEGI 7 game is only suitable for those aged seven and above and an PEGI 18 game is only suitable for adults aged eighteen and above. The PEGI rating considers the age suitability of a game, not the level of difficulty.”
Source: telegraph.co.uk
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Grand Theft Auto 5
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox 360, Xbox One
- Genre(s): Action
