A Stronger Video Game Content Rating System is a Must

Today, a more powerful video game content evaluation system is essential to many young people who are vulnerable to their environment. Their environment can include their families, friends, schools, and even media (television, music, video games). With the rapid development of technology, video games have great influence on young people. In the past few years, the number of violence in all media, especially video games, is steadily increasing. According to Alison Motrock, "More than 90% of American children play video games everyday, and half of the best-selling bookstores are very violent" (10).

The video game evaluation system was developed by the Entertainment Software Rating Board in 1994 in response to Congressional pressures against the industry to reduce the use of inappropriate games. Evaluation (see sidebar) reflects the amount of violence, pornography, jealousy in each game. In this paper, researchers pointed out that evaluation systems are important as efforts to ban or limit the exposure of children to violent video games have failed. In order to test the validity of the evaluation, Laczniak et al. Of Nebraska - Lincoln University, Kansas State University, Utah State University and colleagues collected data through an online survey of families 8 to 12 years old. Researchers specialize in this age group. Because it is an era of developmental challenges and cognitive changes - increased independence, exposure to dangerous behavior, and influence of fellows.

The goal of the evaluation system is to "provide concise and fair information on the content of video games so that consumers, especially parents can make informed purchase decisions" (Game Ratings & Descriptor Guide 2009). However, the rating system implemented in many countries including Australia is easy to operate, whether it is a rogue retailer or a careless parent. Unfortunately, games rated MA 15 + or AO may go to children's hands. As pirated media prolongs in society, games prohibited in your country may be downloaded to undisclosed destinations, which also limits the effectiveness of the current evaluation system.