Retailers Turn Away 80% of Kids Trying to Buy M Rated Games

[Logan Westbrook]

Retailers Turn Away 80% of Kids Trying to Buy M Rated Games

Research conducted by the Federal Trade Commission shows that that retailers are following ESRB ratings more than any other form or rating system.

It's harder for minors to buy videogames rated M by the ESRB than get into R rated movies at theaters or buy R rated DVDs or Parental Advisory music. Research conducted by the FTC over the last ten years shows that retailer compliance with the ESRB system is at an all time high.

Secret shoppers audits conducted between 2000 and 2009 showed a steady rise in the number of underage shoppers turned away when they attempted to buy M rated games until it hit 80% in 2007, where it has remained ever since. By contrast, 70% of minors were turned away from R rated movies at theaters, 45% were stopped from buying R rated DVDs, and just 35% were prevented from buying PA CDs.

The ESA is sending out the FTC figures as a counterpoint to the findings [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/103423-72-Percent-of-Adults-Support-California-Game-Law-UPDATED] of Common Sense Media, which suggested that nearly three-quarters of adults want videogames regulated by law. The FTC figures suggest that despite the assertions of groups like Common Sense Media, videogames are already very well regulated.

It's hard to know to know whether these figures will really make all that much difference, as it's a little too easy to talk around them. They certainly show that minors usually can't buy M rated games themselves, but they don't do anything to stop the idea that parents don't understand ESRB ratings and will buy M rated games for their kids.

Source: Ars Technica [http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/09/harder-for-kids-to-buy-m-rated-video-game-than-see-r-rated-movie.ars]


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[Daemascus]

Yet more proof Jack Thompson is a total nut.
[sub]Not that we needed more.[/sub]

 

[Jack and Calumon]

the number of underage shoppers turned away when they attempted to buy M rated games until it hit 80% in 2007, where it has remained ever since.

I wonder what game could have changed this and kept it this way?

OT: All they need is a BIG RED LABEL saying "18+" like they do in England. Then it's all fine!

Calumon: I wonder if they wanted a microphone with that game? :S

 

[dbmountain]

I can attest to this, they wouldn't even let me buy Red Dead Redemption a WEEK away from my 17th birthday.

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

I do think that the ESRB needs to implement a Color Coding System similar to the PEGI ratings in Europe. Say what you will about it but Parents are occasionally dense and distracted people and a simple "Green is for Kids, Yellow is For Teens, Orange is for Grown-Ups and Red is Porn (for lack of a better term)" might go a long way in identifying to parents whether or not their kid should be playing this game. PEGI uses it, Canadian Movie ratings use it, and as far as I'm concerned videogames should use it.

Educating Parents in the particulars of game ratings could help kill any future attempts to demonize game devs and sellers for overlooking their "duty" to consumers.

 

[Ldude893]

And they said the industry wasn't doing anything to keep children from playing violent video games...

 

[Buizel91]

Proof that it's the parents that are buying the M rated games. And yet it's the stores that have been blamed.

 

[jbchillin]

Won't affect way to much. A lot of kids have their parents buy games

 

[Tharwen]

OK, the kids who are trying to buy the games are probably more likely to look like they're underage (or the ones who the shop worker can turn away easily).

 

[Dorkmaster Flek]

Parents buying the games for their kids is no excuse. If the parents don't understand the ESRB ratings, they are too stupid to be having kids. End of story. The ESRB ratings are so simple, the kids themselves can understand them.

 

[JeanLuc761]

They certainly show that minors usually can't buy M rated games themselves, but they don't do anything to stop the idea that parents don't understand ESRB ratings and will buy M rated games for their kids.

That's the thing though; how could the ESRB possibly be simpler and easier to understand? It says, right on the box, who the recommended audiences are.

This might be a little bit on the cynical side, but I honestly believe that a lot of these parents didn't give a damn when they bought the game and now that they see what's actually involved, they're blaming everyone else for their own imcompetence.

 

[Vyce]

Heh. So much for Jack Thompson and people like the State of California who keep saying that nobody follows it.

 

[dex-dex]

Won't affect way to much. A lot of kids have their parents buy games

any parents that some idea on how to raise a decent human being would never buy a m rated game for a kid.

but then again....

 

[rockyoumonkeys]

Parents are still buying the games for their kids. All the time, I see kids under ten buying GTA and Call of Duty games with their parents there. The employee usually explains to the parent that it's rated M for violence and such, and the parents ALWAYS shrug it off.

So yeah, the problem is that parents refuse to educate themselves on what the ESRB ratings really mean, and continue to buy their kids games that are probably inappropriate for them.

 

[Prof. Monkeypox]

Ahhh. Good, exactly what we need to shut "common sense" media up. Not that they will shut up, but still every little bit helps. Not only are video games self regulating, they are the MOST self-regulating medium. How can anyone argue with that?

It all boils down to neophobic old guards and parents who blame the industry for their own failings as caretakers. As for those who buy mature games by accident: Why? Do you really not notice the big "M-for mature" logo? Or the 17+ only note? That's not our problem, that's yours.

Get your eyes checked and don't rely on the government to decide what your kids need.

 

[Electrogecko]

Why do I have a feeling that this isn't going to make it to Fox news?

 

[strum4h]

I worked at best buy for two years. You can get fired for not checking ID enough when selling M rated games. Oh god when odst came out I got to turn down so many 12 year olds.

 

[Prof. Monkeypox]

Parents are still buying the games for their kids. All the time, I see kids under ten buying GTA and Call of Duty games with their parents there. The employee usually explains to the parent that it's rated M for violence and such, and the parents ALWAYS shrug it off.

So yeah, the problem is that parents refuse to educate themselves on what the ESRB ratings really mean, and continue to buy their kids games that are probably inappropriate for them.

It's the same mentality as the animation age ghetto, where parents will give kids anything animated (they assume it must be Disney-esque) just because of the medium. Then when they inevitable give their kids hentai or something in the realm of ultraviolence they complain to the retailers. Games are the same way, most parents probably just assume they're all for kids and then get mad when they're proven wrong.