Tanya Byron, TV Psychologist Addresses ELSPA
Author of the government's Byron Review to face the industry
TV Psychologist, Tanya Byron
Dr Tanya Byron, TV psychologist and star of House of the Tiny Tearaways, is to speak at the ELSPA forum, as part of this year's London Games Festival next week, outlining to the games industry more about the UK government instigated ‘Byron Review’ into video games, violence and 'the kids'.
The review - which Byron chairs - is set to investigate the controversial topic of how to help children and parents get the best from new technologies, while protecting them from harmful images.
Dr Byron, pictured here, will be introducing and discussing the reasons the Labour government called for such a review and why she is pleased to be involved with it.
Byron has said of the review: “Helping parents and their children get the best from new technologies while protecting children from inappropriate or potentially harmful material is crucial in today’s fast moving world.
“Parents welcome the benefits technologies can bring but they also want their children to be safe and many have concerns about what their children may come across online or whether the videogames they are using are appropriate.”
There is widespread concern in the games industry that videogames – particularly those of the 18-rated, adult-themed variety - will be unfairly represented in the review, being treated on the same level as hardcore internet pornography. It is a concern that SPOnG will be voicing when we attend the ELSPA forum next week.
ELSPA director general, Paul Jackson, said of Byron's speech: "Her attendance will offer first-hand information to our members on the Byron Review and offers the video and computer games industry an arena for its input into this review. We look forward to hearing what Dr Byron has to say as well as offering our members a voice to the heart of the review."
The forum will take place at the Royal Society of Medicine in London on October 22, starting at 11:30am. Full report next week.
The review - which Byron chairs - is set to investigate the controversial topic of how to help children and parents get the best from new technologies, while protecting them from harmful images.
Dr Byron, pictured here, will be introducing and discussing the reasons the Labour government called for such a review and why she is pleased to be involved with it.
Byron has said of the review: “Helping parents and their children get the best from new technologies while protecting children from inappropriate or potentially harmful material is crucial in today’s fast moving world.
“Parents welcome the benefits technologies can bring but they also want their children to be safe and many have concerns about what their children may come across online or whether the videogames they are using are appropriate.”
There is widespread concern in the games industry that videogames – particularly those of the 18-rated, adult-themed variety - will be unfairly represented in the review, being treated on the same level as hardcore internet pornography. It is a concern that SPOnG will be voicing when we attend the ELSPA forum next week.
ELSPA director general, Paul Jackson, said of Byron's speech: "Her attendance will offer first-hand information to our members on the Byron Review and offers the video and computer games industry an arena for its input into this review. We look forward to hearing what Dr Byron has to say as well as offering our members a voice to the heart of the review."
The forum will take place at the Royal Society of Medicine in London on October 22, starting at 11:30am. Full report next week.
Comments
Joji 17 Oct 2007 10:50
1/2
I don't think anyone should do anything anymore. Parents can't count the number 18 on game boxes and asks questions. So long as their ignorance continues, no one else will care.
This whole thing feels like being on a see saw on your own, really one sided.
This whole thing feels like being on a see saw on your own, really one sided.
Daemon 17 Oct 2007 12:31
2/2
Joji wrote:
Parents can't count the number 18 on game boxes and asks questions. So long as their ignorance continues, no one else will care.
Careful of your generalising there, Joji. I know it sometimes seems like the country (or world) is filled with ignorance and stupidity, but there are some parents, at least, who are very grateful for the age guidance on games, as well as understanding it and following it.