New cinema-style warnings for disturbing video games

Computer games are to get new cinema-style age warnings to protect children from graphic images of sex and violence.

Ministers will tomorrow give the go-ahead to the first strict and legally binding classification system for video games.

The move follows growing concern about the desensitising influence of unsuitable digital material on a generation of youngsters.

Certified: Violent computer games will have new cinema-style warnings

Culture Minister Margaret Hodge is understood to be ready to accept recommendations from television psychologist Dr Tanya Byron, who conducted a review for the Government.

Ministers believe too little is currently being done to regulate games.

At present, only those containing scenes of 'gross' violence to humans or animals, explicit depictions of sex, or material that may help criminals commit a crime require an age classification rating from the British Board of Film Classification.

But fewer than 2 per cent carry an 18 rating. Confusingly, the overwhelming majority of computer games are rated under a voluntary European system known as PEGI (Pan European Game Information) ratings.

The proposed changes would mean all games coming under a system of statutory labelling, backed up by heavy penalties for underage sale.

Research suggests children are illegally buying violent video games over the internet because traders fail to check their age.