ESRB reports: parents increasingly using ratings for game selection

Posted May 4, 2007 at 11:34AM EST by QJ Staff

Listed in: Wii, PS3, Xbox 360, PC Gaming Tags: ESRB, FTC, Patricia Vance

A nation-wide research headed by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) noted that parents are becoming more restrictive when it comes to game selection. In fact, the report showed that 60% of parents with children under 18 do not allow their children to play M (Mature) rated games.

In consistency with the trade industry report by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the report also found that 34% of the parents sampled sometimes restrict their children from playing M-rated games. In addition, it has been reported that nearly 90% of parents across the U.S. are aware that games come with ESRB ratings, while 85% use the ratings regularly when purchasing games.

Around 75% of parents have claimed to also inspect ESRB ratings prior to game selection and purchase, which the report identifies as 10% jump from last year's findings. Patricia Vance, president of the ESRB, commented that the findings of the report were "encouraging," after having promised that the ESRB will do their best to inform parents of the ratings.

"The ratings continue to be a very important, if not the most important tool to help parents make an informed decision, and it's clear that parents are using and relying on them in growing numbers," Vance added. While the results continue to show that the ratings are increasingly being used, there are indications also that more parents are now assertive in the game selection process. Other findings that have been noted down are:

87% of parents find it "very important" to be able to monitor and regulate what their children watch, read and play
90% of parents surveyed said that the ratings are "very" (55%) to "somewhat" (35%) helpful in helping them buy and rent games they deem appropriate for their children
91% say the ESRB ratings are the "most important" (17%), a "very important" (52%), or a "somewhat important" (22%) consideration when selecting games
Other than ESRB ratings, parents turn to packaging (31%), other parents (29%), or their children (21%) as the top three sources of information about games
83% said that they would consider parental control settings to be "very" (53%) to "somewhat" (30%) helpful in allowing them to control the games their kids play

According to the official press release, the report was conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates in early April.

This story sucks? This story rocks!

Vote Now!

(0)

(0)

QJ.NET Categories
• Apple • E3 • Featured Articles • Gadgets • Games for Windows • iPad • iPhone • MMORPG • Mobile • News • Nintendo 3DS • Nintendo DS • Opinions & Analysis	• Photography • PlayStation 3 • PoV • PS Vita • PSP • Rumors • Science • Site News • Tabula Rasa • Wii • Wii U • World of Warcraft • Xbox 360

Sitemap

Newest Downloads

05/22/2012 - 05/31/2012

XeBuild GUI 2.061	05/30/2012
edicpopDS v0.3.01	05/29/2012
RGLoader 0v290 Beta	05/27/2012
WiiMod 3.2	05/27/2012
WiiMC v1.2.7	05/25/2012
True Blue Firmeware v2.7	05/24/2012
3DS Video Converter v2.3	05/24/2012
Mobile Assault 1.8.2	05/24/2012
PSP Tools Alpha 0.1	05/22/2012
Newton War	05/22/2012
DaedalusX64 r766	05/22/2012
PSPMarble	05/22/2012
The Undead 4 - Nazi Zombies	05/21/2012
3DSExplorer v1.2.1	05/21/2012
J-Runner v0.2 Beta 275	05/19/2012

Most Comments this Month
Sound Off: On Game Expirat..	(58)
Say Goodbye to the Xbox 36..	(31)
EA Blames iOS Rock Band Ex..	(28)
Flash0 Contents Of Vita's..	(27)
Sony Had a Rough Year; Vit..	(26)
PlayStation 3: Now Featuri..	(23)
Sound Off: Toughest Game C..	(20)
Apparently You Can Pre-Ord..	(19)
Love It or Hate It, It's A..	(16)
PoV: This Collectors Editi..	(15)
You've Been Up in Arms Abo..	(15)
Pre-Order Generic Shooter..	(15)
Metal Gear Solid For Vita..	(14)
PoV: Paid MMOs are Dead	(14)
PoV: You Are Wrong about C..	(14)
Get Off Xbox Live, You Ped..	(14)
This is Next Gen?	(14)
Stop Your Whining, Start C..	(13)
PSP Is Back, Whiter, Cheap..	(13)
Pokemon Liquid Crystal! K..	(12)
Wii Will Be U	(12)
OK, So Maybe Microsoft Can..	(12)
Does Microsoft Ever Have a..	(12)
Operation Raccoon City Pro..	(12)
Diablo III Getting Mauled..	(12)

Top Jumps this Month
Naruto Shippuden: Ul..	(172)
Pokemon Liquid Cryst..	(105)
neur0n Knocks Out An..	(103)
Bust Out Your PSP Fo..	(91)
PSP homebrew - LameC..	(72)
Wii homebrew - WAD M..	(54)
PSP Comics Reader v2..	(53)
PSP Homebrew: 6.xx P..	(44)
Hellcat Working On R..	(41)
PSP Homebrew - PSPDi..	(41)
PSP homebrew - DSonP..	(38)
neur0n Gives You Mor..	(37)
Sound Off: On Game E..	(36)
PSP GBA v1.2: Gamebo..	(33)
Latest Left 4 Dead 2..	(31)
Another CFW Goodie F..	(30)
Soywiz Releases PSP..	(30)
Sound Off: Should Ap..	(29)
GTA IV patch 1.0.6.0..	(29)
Download full Sid Me..	(28)
Homebrew - PSP/PS3 P..	(26)
PSP homebrew - Mario..	(23)
DS homebrew game - S..	(21)
Brian Lara Internati..	(21)
Metal Gear Solid For..	(21)

Quick Jump Daily Digest

ESRB reports: parents increasingly using ratings for game selection

Related Stories:

Comments