Movies are rated; people aged below 18 are restricted from movies that includes elements of violence, sex and others. But on the other hand, online games are not controlled; almost all online games that comprise of restricted elements are not rated.
Only if a person is willing to spend money in the cyber café, one would have access to any types of online games they like. According to a Top 10 online games ratings done by GameOrge, half or more of these 10 games comprise elements of killings, gun shots, fightings and other violent elements. Some games promote unhealthy habits like gambling, smoking, consuming drugs and etc. In the article, the writer interviewed some younger children and one of them is only at primary level. They spend seven to eight hours a day on online games and at times cyber café is like their home, they eat, sleep, rest there and sometimes eat in front of the computer while playing game.
Authorities of several countries are paying close attention on this issue. In countries like Japan and Korea, the governments implemented policies on how to rate online games. An implication that I personally find quite interesting and effective: in Mainland, China, time- detector is installed into every computer at cyber cafes. If a player played more than three hours, one will lose half of the game assets and will lose all if played more than five hours.
Online games should be rated because not all games are suitable for all levels of people especially the younger generation/ children. Cultural and situational contexts (Schirato & Yell, 1996) combined to produce online games will shape the audience. Children are too young and they do not have the ability to judge what games are suitable for them. Therefore, parents as well as the authority should cooperate to prevent the younger generation to be influence by online games that instills negative portrayals.
Readings and References:
A Chinese News Clipping, taken from TVBS News, Taiwan website [Online, accessed 4 June 2007]
URL: http://www.tvbs.com.tw/NEWS/NEWS_LIST.asp?no=sunkiss20070531193204
About.com: Family Internet: Online Games Aren’t Rated [Online, accessed 4 May 2007]
URL:
Keith, K.L., About.com: Parenting of K-6 Children: Online Games for Kids [Online, accessed 4 May 2007]
URL: http://childparenting.about.com/od/kidswebsites/a/onlinekidsgames.htm
Schirato, T. & Yell, S. 1996, Chapter 5: Framing contexts, Communication and cultural literacy: an introduction, Allen and Unwin, St. Leonards NSW, p.90-117
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