A recent panel discussion held by the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) at the The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) yesterday concurred computer and video games can be a "force for good" in today's society.
The discussion was chaired by journalist Mary Riddell, and included experts from children's, religious and computer and video games groups, including the following:
• Martin Houghton-Brown, deputy director of new business, The Children's Society• Mike Royal, national director, The Lighthouse Group
• Joseph Steinberg, Marketing & Fund Raising Director, The Church Mission Society
• Andy Payne, chairman of ELSPA
Martin Houghton-Brown, deputy director of new business of The Children's Society, explained children now see gaming as a normal part of everyday life (it being a multi-billion dollar industry, it's no wonder). Interestingly, television watching is down from 3 hours a day to 2.5 hours a day since 2001.
"We now live in a digital age where the nature of playing games has changed. Now we have online games where interaction with others is possible. Children tell us supportive and loving relationships are key to a good childhood, we need to equip parents and carers to support children to stay safe when they play in the growing online world" he said.As for that whole "issue" concerning violent video games and the potentially negative effect they could have on kids, Andy Payne, chairman of ELSPA, said simply: “Computer games can be violent but that is why there is an age rating system, PEGI, which gives parents the information to make their own decisions.”
He went on to say the games industry's job is “to help people understand what the ratings are there for and enable society to do its best to protect children by relying on parents to make decisions armed with the information and understanding of the ratings system.” Smart man. It's nice to know we have at least some sensible people at the top.
Mike Royal, national director of the Lighthouse Group, which helps to educate children who have been excluded from school, discussed the usefulness playing computer and video games can have in talking about 'boundaries' with young people and what behaviour is good and acceptable, not only in gaming but in other aspects of life, too.
He also stated gaming aids in bridging a dialogue between the parents of a household, and between the children, especially regarding the types of games kids are playing:
“The PEGI system provides a framework to help us support parents and educate them about the suitability of games, as well as providing clear guidelines on whether a game is appropriate for a specific age group” he said.Now, while the panel concurred computer and video games can have a positive impact, they noted games must be "utilised in the right way" in order to yield the best results. Indeed, while I don't think things like games will affect an average adult or teenager negatively (i.e. causing them to be violent), kids are not yet molded, so to speak, and are impressionable and susceptible to these sorts of things. Take it from someone who watched way too much Power Rangers as a kid and got in trouble for beating up his friend. Not cool! As such, the panel states parental engagement and encouragement, as well as "safe and social gaming", can help children develop, and protect them in an environment which is heading more and more online.
