Malta still to apply warning system

A survey conducted by the European Commission to assess the level of protection given to children using video games in its member states shows that Malta relies only on general legal provisions and still has to introduce specific legislation including the use of a pan-European age rating and warning system known as PEGI (Pan European Games Information).

According to the Commission, although Malta is in a better situation than some other member states, particularly Cyprus, Luxembourg, Romania and Slovenia, where the video games market is not regulated at all, the island needs to alter its level of protection in view of public concerns that video games can cause aggressive behaviour in children.

Following a school shooting incident in Finland last November, attributed to the influence of particular video games, several EU member states had banned or blocked certain video games such as Manhunt 2.

Presenting a report on the level of protection afforded to children using video games in the EU, the Commission said that 20 member states are now applying the PEGI system. Two countries, Germany and Lithuania, have specific binding legislation while Malta relies on general legislation.

The report shows that 15 member states have legislation dealing with the sale of video games with harmful content to minors in shops, although the scope of laws varies between member states.

Until now, four countries (Germany, Ireland, Italy, and UK) have banned certain violent video games.

Adopted in 2003, PEGI labels provide an age rating and warnings such as violence or bad language, empowering parents to decide which game is appropriate for their children and adult gamers to better choose their games.

PEGI is supported by the major console manufacturers in Europe. PEGI Online was launched last year, co-funded by the EU's Safer Internet Programme, in response to the rapid growth of online video games.

The Commission yesterday called for several measures to converge approaches in the single market regarding the sale of video games, particularly the need of regular improvement and better advertising of PEGI and PEGI Online by the video games industry.

The Commission wants all member states to integrate PEGI into their own classification systems and raise awareness of PEGI, particularly among parents and children.

The European video games sector is soaring with revenue this year expected to reach €7.3 billion. These video games are also increasingly accessible via internet and mobile phones, which are expected to make up 33 per cent of total revenues for video games by 2010.