PEGI vs ERSB : Which is better?

[SomeUnregPunk]

Rating systems are useful for parents that actually try to govern what their kids play or view.
I'm not trying to find out if rating systems actually work. That should be left up to researchers that actually put time and effort in the scientific method and probably statistics.
I do want to know of these two rating systems which do you believe is the better one or which do you believe is obsolete compared to the other?

Both ratings systems are found on the game packages and one is seen mostly in the Americas while the other is in Europe.

PEGI: Pan European Game Information found at http://www.pegi.info/en/index/
This rating system has eight pictures that represent different things that happen in a game. All eight can be found on the main page of PEGI. To see the description for each picture, scroll your mouse pointer over each picture. Apparently more than one picture is placed on the game package. The age picture is broken up into five more pictures that tells you the max age limit for the game.
Example:
The picture with an syringe on it means : The game refers to or depicts the use of drugs
The picture with an three shadows of people: The game contains depictions or material that encourage discrimination

ERSB: Entertainment Software Ratings Board found at http://www.esrb.org/ratings/ratings_guide.jsp
This rating system has seven different pictures with "30 content descriptors" which are usually placed alongside the picture. you actually have to hunt for this on the site though so the link I placed above is not to main page but to ERSB rating pictures and descriptors.
Example:
Picture has a big "M" on it with the age limit placed above it: M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older.
Picture has a big "E" on it with no age limit. E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older.

Which is the better system?

 

[Flap Jack452]

They both say who should or shouldn't be playing a game, so they both do their jobs correctly.

 

[gmer412]

They both work, so there's not much you can say that one does over the other.

 

[ChromeAlchemist]

Doesn't matter, governments ignore them both, as if games are released with no ratings whatsoever.

But on a personal level, I think PEGI works better. Numbers are easier absorbed by the masses than letters, fact! (citation needed).

 

[[Gavo]]

By looking at the sites, PEGI. I really dislike ESRB. Anyways, I don't listen to either.

 

[Da_Schwartz]

As a parent myself.. I think it's OUR responsibility to be involved and pay attention to what our kids are playing. And if what they enjoy may be some sort of "questionable material" Then it's OUR duty, and not some F'n package label, to EXPLAIN AND MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND that it's just a game, it's not real. There's no need for scientific research and surveys and polls. The world is going crazy. Now go shoot stuff. and remember son...if you kill that hooker u get your money back.
I'm sick and tired of these halfass irresponsible parents making any form of media their own personal scapegoat cause they can't control their own kids. Or Don't have time to give them the attention they need. They just sit them in front of the television or a computer all day cause they can't be bothered. And still have the audacity to point the finger and blame society or a song or a video game cause they can't comprehend why their child doesn't know the difference between right and wrong.

 

[Flying-Emu]

It's like asking "Which was better? The UN or the League of Nations?"

Answer:

Neither. They have no enforcement, so they may as well rate GTA the same as Mario.

 

[SomeUnregPunk]

So if neither is better then why does two exist?