Video game ratings system to be overhauled

By Andrew Hough

LONDON (Reuters) - The government is to introduce a new 12-plus guidance rating for video games and a social networking site code of practice to help protect children.

The moves follow a six-month review commissioned by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and conducted by psychologist Dr Tanya Byron.

Her report, "Safer Children in a Digital World", is backed by both the Children, Schools and Families (CSF) and the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) departments.

Byron proposed:

* Video games should have a more "robust" movie-style age classification with clearer ratings. At the moment, games only get a mandatory review if they have sexual activity or gross violence.

* An overhaul of the way console games are advertised.

* Making it illegal for retailers to sell any video game to a child younger than the age rating on the game box.

* Developing a new code of practice aimed at regulating social networking sites, such as Bebo and Facebook, including introducing standards on privacy and harmful content;