LGF News - Dr Tanya Byron: Children And New Technologies
TV Psychologist Speaks To Industry And Educators At London Games Festival
Posted 24 Oct 2007
Follow us on...
Share on...
SPOnG attended a brief launch event earlier today, with TV Psychologist Tanya Byron and Government Minister, James Purnell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport presenting the plans for the forthcoming 'Byron Review' into Children and New Technologies at BAFTA's London HQ in Piccadilly.
Purnell, introducing Ms Byron, wanted to make it clear to the assembled crowd of journalists and educators that "this review is about looking into videogames and the internet and how we can be safe when using those media."
He added that, "We want to make it clear that we want to start from the clear premise that games can be a fantastic, fun resource… but the review is also responding to parental concerns that games are being used in a safe way, inside the home."
Dr Tanya Byron, stepping up to the podium, coquettishly noted, "Before I begin, I just want to say that it’s quite something to be told you are ‘impressive’ by a Secretary of State! It's like being back at school being praised by the teacher!"
Byron is very keen to reassure the assembled press, particularly the gaming media and games industry reps, that, "This is an independent review, in the sense that I have my own mind and I am an independent thinker.
"This is not about blaming or scaremongering … Doing what, it has to be said, is particularly something that the tabloid newspapers do … blaming games for all the ills of society.
"It is about how we can support parents and children to support all these new technologies in a way in which parents can manage them, in a way that’s safe for their children."
This is a good, strong and reassuring message and one that we hope informs Ms Byron's research and her forthcoming recommendations to the government, which she will be presenting to the Prime Minister next March.
Byron mentions again that this review is independent and that she is an 'independent thinker'. She also admits that, in addition to her academic training and experience as a clinical psychologist, the fact that she has such a strong media profile (she's currently penning a regular weekly column in The Times) is part of the reason why she has been chosen to front this initiative.
Many older gamers of course are yet to be convinced, regarding the review as little more than a political point-scoring exercise by Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. Indeed, SPOnG was not so convinced today by Secretary of State James Purnell's non-committal responses when asked directly by a member of the audience, "What will you DO with Dr Byron's recommendations after she has made them next March?"
Byron herself is here today to try and communicate one important message, which is that, "Children probably know more about these technologies than their parents, so it would be extremely one-sided not to engage with children… I'm already getting kids as young as seven emailing me via MySpace and Bebo with some really good advice."
She also stressed that she will be asking how well children and parents understand the current classification systems from PEGI and the BBFC.
"So far I’ve found the videogame industry has engaged very well with me. The industry really wants to support the notion that we do need to monitor the material that children access at different ages.
"A lot of the policy makers don’t really understand the technologies we are talking about, so we’re hoping we can get the kids to help them. I want to make it clear that we need to push the edges of our argument, so we can really think about this. At the heart of this is the child, and the safety of the child is really key.
“We live in such a risk-averse culture, which is a tragedy, where parents are often overly-worried about letting their children out to play... I'm hoping that this review will challenge this notion in some way."
Interesting stuff. SPOnG will be catching up with Dr Byron for a quick chat about her review later today. Watch out for that interview later this week.
Purnell, introducing Ms Byron, wanted to make it clear to the assembled crowd of journalists and educators that "this review is about looking into videogames and the internet and how we can be safe when using those media."
He added that, "We want to make it clear that we want to start from the clear premise that games can be a fantastic, fun resource… but the review is also responding to parental concerns that games are being used in a safe way, inside the home."
Dr Tanya Byron, stepping up to the podium, coquettishly noted, "Before I begin, I just want to say that it’s quite something to be told you are ‘impressive’ by a Secretary of State! It's like being back at school being praised by the teacher!"
Byron is very keen to reassure the assembled press, particularly the gaming media and games industry reps, that, "This is an independent review, in the sense that I have my own mind and I am an independent thinker.
"This is not about blaming or scaremongering … Doing what, it has to be said, is particularly something that the tabloid newspapers do … blaming games for all the ills of society.
"It is about how we can support parents and children to support all these new technologies in a way in which parents can manage them, in a way that’s safe for their children."
This is a good, strong and reassuring message and one that we hope informs Ms Byron's research and her forthcoming recommendations to the government, which she will be presenting to the Prime Minister next March.
Byron mentions again that this review is independent and that she is an 'independent thinker'. She also admits that, in addition to her academic training and experience as a clinical psychologist, the fact that she has such a strong media profile (she's currently penning a regular weekly column in The Times) is part of the reason why she has been chosen to front this initiative.
Many older gamers of course are yet to be convinced, regarding the review as little more than a political point-scoring exercise by Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. Indeed, SPOnG was not so convinced today by Secretary of State James Purnell's non-committal responses when asked directly by a member of the audience, "What will you DO with Dr Byron's recommendations after she has made them next March?"
Byron herself is here today to try and communicate one important message, which is that, "Children probably know more about these technologies than their parents, so it would be extremely one-sided not to engage with children… I'm already getting kids as young as seven emailing me via MySpace and Bebo with some really good advice."
She also stressed that she will be asking how well children and parents understand the current classification systems from PEGI and the BBFC.
"So far I’ve found the videogame industry has engaged very well with me. The industry really wants to support the notion that we do need to monitor the material that children access at different ages.
"A lot of the policy makers don’t really understand the technologies we are talking about, so we’re hoping we can get the kids to help them. I want to make it clear that we need to push the edges of our argument, so we can really think about this. At the heart of this is the child, and the safety of the child is really key.
“We live in such a risk-averse culture, which is a tragedy, where parents are often overly-worried about letting their children out to play... I'm hoping that this review will challenge this notion in some way."
Interesting stuff. SPOnG will be catching up with Dr Byron for a quick chat about her review later today. Watch out for that interview later this week.
Comments
2/3
I blame the parents mainly. They should (a) be aware of what their children are doing, and (b) understand what the concept of an age rating means. If not, then they're not very responsible as parents. Then there's the other issue with blaming their kids' behaviour on the games they play. That's STILL the parents' fault.
On the other hand, shops should also watch what they're selling to children, because they're breaking the law and possibly getting away with it.
In terms of the politics, it's a load of rubbish. What can the government do about it except introduce more laws, i.e. ban games?
The other thing is that a lot of people know hardly anything, which is basically the cause of this rubbish. Firstly, they believe the media, who a lot of the time also know too little about what they're talking about, and secondly, they don't know about games. Some games are bad, most games are not bad. A violent game doesn't force anyone to play it, for example. If people play it without knowing what they're doing (or do any action without thinking about the consequences), then they're so stupid that probably most things they do are unsafe, let alone videogames.
If someone committed a crime or something, if they said "I was inspired by this videogame, but it was my fault and I shouldn't have done it," that's fair because it's true. If someone said "I did it because of a videogame," then they're simply denying responsibility for their own actions, which is rubbish.
On the other hand, shops should also watch what they're selling to children, because they're breaking the law and possibly getting away with it.
In terms of the politics, it's a load of rubbish. What can the government do about it except introduce more laws, i.e. ban games?
The other thing is that a lot of people know hardly anything, which is basically the cause of this rubbish. Firstly, they believe the media, who a lot of the time also know too little about what they're talking about, and secondly, they don't know about games. Some games are bad, most games are not bad. A violent game doesn't force anyone to play it, for example. If people play it without knowing what they're doing (or do any action without thinking about the consequences), then they're so stupid that probably most things they do are unsafe, let alone videogames.
If someone committed a crime or something, if they said "I was inspired by this videogame, but it was my fault and I shouldn't have done it," that's fair because it's true. If someone said "I did it because of a videogame," then they're simply denying responsibility for their own actions, which is rubbish.
3/3
realvictory wrote:
I blame the parents mainly. They should (a) be aware of what their children are doing, and (b) understand what the concept of an age rating means. If not, then they're not very responsible as parents. Then there's the other issue with blaming their kids' behaviour on the games they play. That's STILL the parents' fault.
I take it you¡¦re not a parent, firstly as a parent I would like to defend my position, this is not for all parents as there are no rules and guidelines to parenthood, you just do your best or not in some cases,
1. as a mature gamer I play games ranging from, Mario Bros. to GTA, I allow my children to play games that fall within their age range what the BBFC/ELSPA considers acceptable, but.... I have on occasion allowed my children to go outside of this rule for good reason that I know my kids better than ELSPA of BBFC does. Now Spiderman: The Game of the Movie, ELSPA gives a rating of 11+ my eldest son is 6 but he likes Spiderman, so do I follow ELSPAS rules or Do i decide if its acceptable for him, I decide that a small amount of violence in the game is OK, and allow him to play the game.
So you stating that we should understand the concept of an age rating and sticking to that solely will be ok, well that`s wrong the guidelines are for parents that are concerned but lazy, or unable to understand how to check themselves, parents have the opportunity and time (no excuses) to review the game themselves all stores offer no quibble money back guarantees¡¦ and they could use this to review the product before hand, if they are that concerned, if not use the ELSPA/BBFC Rating, or just don¡¦t get it.
2. All us offended gamers need to step back a bit here and remember that we see them trying to condemn GTA or Manhunt, but there really is a serious problem of kids playing these games, and like it or not one of us really know the effects of gaming has, we like to believe that because we are of a stable mind that everyone is, but that¡¦s not the case, now a parents responsibility is there completely but what happens if...
My son goes to his friends over night and his parents views are relaxed and allow him to own Bio shock (because they see it won a BAVGA and think its good), by my rules I don¡¦t allow him to play it because its s**t scary for his age and to violent and gory, but as this kids parents do and i am unaware how do I control that, how does the clerk at the store stop that from happening, now 2 weeks later my son tries to re-enact a swinging of a Wrench scene into his friends head, and kills another boy, who¡¦s at fault?,
My Boy...
The store for selling it...
Me for not going to his friends house and searching the place for 18+ games...
His parents, although there son did nothing wrong and he died, it was my son who hit him...
The games developer for having that kind of content available....
Or the government for not banning this kind of content?
I would say his parents are because they allowed my son to be exposed to that, but would that stand in court, the problem we have is education to the responsibility of, Stores, Parents, Devs, BBFC, ELSPA, Government, Media... none of these have acceptable support or rules to combat this problem
Stores... Won¡¦t sell to a youth but will they sell to a parent and check it¡¦s not for a youth
Parents... Either try but don¡¦t have the full info or don¡¦t care or even scare what to get and play it safe.
Gamers... need to stand back once in a while because if its proved true that it has caused even one death or murder, should it not be investigated correctly.
Devs... Manhunt downloading story just heard, proves that no doubt Rockstar will put this game on download but with no legal requirements on age!!
BBFC... Need to understand that not all gamers are aged 4 - 15 and that mature gaming is need but warrants correct previewing
ELSPA.... Great group really, but sometime play it too safe to keep parents happy.
Government... They need to actually get a real action plan focused on helping all those mentioned
Media... either use scare tactics or make up crap, even SPOnG is guilty do you guys add age verification to videos or Pics of violent games, no because you don¡¦t have to or want to, but, morally should you in fact SPOnG do you even mention that it¡¦s good to be over 18+ to view that kind material?
PS, I'm with you all I want my manhunt, but I want it in a safe and kid friendly fashion, and also not directing at solely at you SPOnG I meant media in general just you were the example ļ
Related News
Latest Features
| Interview// F1 2009: David Croft and Anthony Davidson |
| Review// Assassin's Creed II |
| Interview// SCEE's Alison Turner on the PSN Video Store |
| Interview// F1 2009: Sumo Digital's Ned Waterhouse |
Perhaps Spong can ask them for me, 'Its fine that you mention educating parents and protectiing children, but what they aren't addressing or acknowledging is what happens when kids become adults, and whether they stop playing or not? Do they acknowledge gamers are ageing and require adult mature titles?
And if parents don't want or ignore such eduactional gaming aids, and still care less what their children play, will the games industry still be the scape goat, when they already do their part?