FTC Report: Children Have a Hard Time Purchasing 'Mature' Titles

[cp#]

From the [official] FTC [report] (http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/05/secretshop.shtm), [courtesy of TheUnknownSoldier]

About 20 percent of underage teens were able to buy Mature-rated games during a recent nationwide undercover shopper survey conducted by the FTC, down more than half from last year, the FTC reported today...

According to the FTC's study, ratings enforcement at retail has increased steadily since 2000, when 80% of its undercover shoppers successfully purchased M-rated games.

The ESRB conducts its own secret-shopper studies using the same surveyors as the FTC. Its most recent survey in November 2007 found 76 percent compliance with store policies.

"Video game retailers have clearly stepped up their efforts to enforce their store policies, and they deserve recognition for these outstanding results," said ESRB president Patricia Vance, in a statement released today. "We commend and applaud retailers for their strong support of the ESRB ratings, and will continue working with them to help ensure that these levels of compliance are sustained if not further increased."

That's right, video games have a better enforcement rate than R rated movies and explicit CDs.

Editor's Note - I was about to post this at the same time as cp#, so I edited it to reflect a combined effort - fitbabits

[cp#]

Hugs and kisses xoxoxo

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/9730/figure1zg6.gif

[dirtbag]

Finally! Of course, they still won't shut up about it, but now we have some hard numbers to throw back at the new generation of Tipper Gores.

[Johan]

Now that's some truly good news. Really good to see.

Parents can ultimately make the decision, and it's good to see kids can't just stroll into a store and get M-titles. Well done.

[Lord_Singing_Whale]

Woohoo, the system works!

Speaking as a teenager, there seriously needs to be one more rating between T and M. A level for games like Halo, Call of Duty, Crysis, Mass Effect, and the rest. They really seem tame in comparison, to other, far more gruesome M Rated games (examples being Kane and Lynch, The Darkness, Condemned, etc.).

I'm not quite sure where I'm going with this, but I think I got my point across.

[Johan]

Speaking as a teenager, there seriously needs to be one more rating between T and M.

I could not agree more. Halo 3 and Condemned are the same rating? That's nuts...

I'm with you on that one. There's too much variation within the rating.

[fitbabits]

Woohoo, the system works!

Speaking as a teenager, there seriously needs to be one more rating between T and M. A level for games like Halo, Call of Duty, Crysis, Mass Effect, and the rest. They really seem tame in comparison, to other, far more gruesome M Rated games (examples being Kane and Lynch, The Darkness, Condemned, etc.).

I'm not quite sure where I'm going with this, but I think I got my point across.

I see where you're coming from. Something like the recently-introduced E10+ rating, right? What about T15+?

That said, it may complicate matters even more, unless they bump up the age restriction on M-rated game to 18.

[Grey]

Oh NOW I can see why piracy became such a huge topic recently.

[Variable Gear]

I see where you're coming from. Something like the recently-introduced E10+ rating, right? What about T15+?

That said, it may complicate matters even more, unless they bump up the age restriction on M-rated game to 18.
Agreed on both counts. I've been talking with my imaginary friends about this very thing for a long time.

Everyone, call the ESRB.

[Shadowstorm]

Fitbabits, that is a great idea. There really does need to be a T15+. Halo 3 would fall under that. GTA IV would fall under the M rating. Then, to finish out the execution, a campaign to inform parents of the changes, and what it all means.

[Murtaug]

Still does not keep the annoying little runts out of the multiplayer.

Oh how I wish Live had a way of filtering out the squeaky foul-mouthed children.

[Xerxes]

Cheap Ass Gamer(not Cheapy D) from the Evil Avatar radio call in didn't seem to have a problem getting GTA 4.

[Wilkz07]

silly clerks should be fired.

i worked at rogers video when i was doing a post-grad and didn't rent to anyone under 17 a mature title (unless there was a note on their account stating the parent has acknowledged the rating and says okay, and the kid had ID - that coming from management... whattya gonna do).

I even told a parent she was an idiot when she rented a M rated game for her 8 year old kid. She said he was mature for an 8 year old.

[Talon-]

Cheap Ass Gamer(not Cheapy D) from the Evil Avatar radio call in didn't seem to have a problem getting GTA 4.

One anecdote doesn't prove a report wrong.

[Wilkz07]

Still does not keep the annoying little runts out of the multiplayer.

Oh how I wish Live had a way of filtering out the squeaky foul-mouthed children.


Thats what I love about the lobby system/intermission of CoD4. Always a little 'mini-game' with the friends i play with as to who can pick out the first muted douchebag.

[Xerxes]

I even told a parent she was an idiot when she rented a M rated game for her 8 year old kid. She said he was mature for an 8 year old.

Why would you be telling people how to raise their kid?

[BalekFekete]

Why would you be telling people how to raise their kid?

Because some people are too stupid to have kids. He was looking out for the better future of the country, despite the parents solid attempt to #### it all up.

[Wilkz07]

Why would you be telling people how to raise their kid?

There was more sentence structure around me calling her an idiot. And you have to be a little smart know your kid shouldn't be dismembering people and then beating them with their own limbs.

[Xerxes]

There was more sentence structure around me calling her an idiot. And you have to be a little smart know your kid shouldn't be dismembering people and then beating them with their own limbs.

I remember at age 10 I had to explain to my mom how Mortal Kombat is fiction and you don't go around upper cutting people into acid. I even pointed out the blood was orange, "what sense does that make?" Yeah, we went and rented that bad boy right after school.

[Micasa]

silly clerks should be fired.

i worked at rogers video when i was doing a post-grad and didn't rent to anyone under 17 a mature title (unless there was a note on their account stating the parent has acknowledged the rating and says okay, and the kid had ID - that coming from management... whattya gonna do).

I even told a parent she was an idiot when she rented a M rated game for her 8 year old kid. She said he was mature for an 8 year old.

It's almost a shame how many people just won't take parenting advice from a video store clerk.

[Xerxes]

It's almost a shame how many people just won't take parenting advice from a video store clerk.

Yeah, if the guy had said something to my mom when we got MK oh so long ago, I probably wouldn't have gotten it. Not because she would have paid him any attention since I informed her all about it before we got there. But the middle finger I would have thrown. :o

[Micasa]

Interesting that almost half of the children were able to buy an R-rated movie. Where's the outcry there?

[Zander]

Watch a grandfather buy a 9 or 10 year old San Andreas at Target over the weekend while I was picking up GTA4 for myself.

It was a touching moment of an older person buying the love of a child.

[Wilkz07]

I remember at age 10 I had to explain to my mom how Mortal Kombat is fiction and you don't go around upper cutting people into acid. I even pointed out the blood was orange, "what sense does that make?" Yeah, we went and rented that bad boy right after school.

i hear you. when my parents found out i was playing MK on snes I got in trouble... not sure how long ago that was... mk snes release, 30 now so divided by pi, carry the one....

didn't really pay attention to games until ps1 and later systems and was never allowed to buy the M games. out of sight out mind i guess.

Now in my gaming prime, retailers/parents should not be handing over m-rated games to those under 17 because the media turns it into a circus, games get banned and we, tax paying adults have to play toned down games.

[Xerxes]

Watch a grandfather buy a 9 or 10 year old San Andreas at Target over the weekend while I was picking up GTA4 for myself.

It was a touching moment of an older person buying the love of a child.

I would have told him that world is too large for a 9 year old to grasp. You'd want to get GTA3. :rolleyes:

[Wilkz07]

Watch a grandfather buy a 9 or 10 year old San Andreas at Target over the weekend while I was picking up GTA4 for myself.

It was a touching moment of an older person buying the love of a child.

..sorry for the double post...

when i was in eb on thursday last week in line buying culdcept saga i saw the same thing. a kid had his grandfather whose only english was 'yes, he buy game. yes is okay he buy with own money'... yeah that's bad.

[Xerxes]

One anecdote doesn't prove a report wrong.

Funny thing. I make fun of that kid, but I think he'll grow up to fit into the EvAv mold. Video games are serious business.

[Rex Dart]

This is just fantastic news. Don't have much more to add.

I like the current rating system. For those asking for a in-between-T-and-M rating, I'm not sure it's necessary. I think the current system is straight-forward, and, while there is a vast difference in content between some M rated games, the same is true for R-rated films.

[Teh Super King]

Watch a grandfather buy a 9 or 10 year old San Andreas at Target over the weekend while I was picking up GTA4 for myself.

It was a touching moment of an older person buying the love of a child.

Reminds me of over the weekend I was in the food court eating lunch while on break and these 15 year old kids walk up to this elderly couple to try and get the couple to buy them GTA4. The elderly couple wasn't really sure what they wanted them to do(poor hearing and all) so after about 5 minutes the kids leave and I guess give up on getting GTA4.


For buying movies I didn't even know they actually ever carded people buying unrated movies... I never had a single person ask me for my age regardless of where I was buying a DVD. The only people who actually ever wanted card me when buying something intended for 17+ where people selling video games.

[HALO 32]

Of course they have a hard time. My job sucks really bad, but I don't need to be fired either!

[CES]

Oh how I wish Live had a way of filtering out the squeaky foul-mouthed children.

Your wish is granted. Xbox.com > Privacy settings. Set voice comms to Friends List Only and reap the rewards of a quiet, soothing H3 game.

Why dont more people know of and/or use this system?

[Xerxes]

Your wish is granted. Xbox.com > Privacy settings. Set voice comms to Friends List Only and reap the rewards of a quiet, soothing H3 game.

Why dont more people know of and/or use this system?

Because not everyone is an asshole. Fucks up being able to talk to your group if need be.

[Blue]

I remember at age 10 I had to explain to my mom how Mortal Kombat is fiction and you don't go around upper cutting people into acid. I even pointed out the blood was orange, "what sense does that make?" Yeah, we went and rented that bad boy right after school.

Not signaling you out in the slightest or even speaking on your ability at a young age to discern reality from non (by 10 I had a huge collection of horror movies though beyond that, nothing above PG was allowed in the house), but I'd argue Mortal Kombat is a vastly different mature title than something like GTA. While sure there's blood in it and Fatalities, it's also distinctly over-the-top in what it does and very removed from reality. A game like GTA, however, is, for the most part, a good deal more grounded which then makes it a bit more, well, graphic. Not sure how to put it really.

So while I'm sure that my son and or daughter will have a pretty good head on their shoulders as I'm sure you did, that doesn't mean I'd let them near GTA or some other mature titles simply because they can point out absurdist gore (a la MK) as that is still far less disturbing, in some cases, than GTA.

2 cents, etc etc.

[Xerxes]

Not signaling you out in the slightest or even speaking on your ability at a young age to discern reality from non (by 10 I had a huge collection of horror movies though beyond that, nothing above PG was allowed in the house), but I'd argue Mortal Kombat is a vastly different mature title than something like GTA. While sure there's blood in it and Fatalities, it's also distinctly over-the-top in what it does and very removed from reality. A game like GTA, however, is, for the most part, a good deal more grounded which then makes it a bit more, well, graphic. Not sure how to put it really.

So while I'm sure that my son and or daughter will have a pretty good head on their shoulders as I'm sure you did, that doesn't mean I'd let them near GTA or some other mature titles simply because they can point out absurdist gore (a la MK) as that is still far less disturbing, in some cases, than GTA.

2 cents, etc etc.

Yeah, that was a long time ago; but it was what GTA is now. Although I like you say, GTA is worse at it. Hell, I'd be tempted to put COD 4 and Tom Clancy high on the list as well. Head shots sometimes look a little too graphic. Blood, head snapping back, the falling down, just wow. If they only added in ball shots. If they have a good head on their shoulders, I might let them do some co-op.

You might not believe me but when MK came out, my INTJ personality was in full effect. Plotting and planning... the presentation to my mom and not dad. Checking and double checking with old brother about the logistics. I was very convincing. I can remember my best friend spending a night. Weird which memory are pretty vivid. The store we rented it from was Video Square. I think we ended up playing more Super Tecmo Bowl that night.

Although at 10, I did tell my brother... "I WILL DESTROY YOU!"

[Blue]

Yeah, that was a long time ago; but it was what GTA is now. Although I like you say, GTA is worse at it. Hell, I'd be tempted to put COD 4 and Tom Clancy high on the list as well. Head shots sometimes look a little too graphic. Blood, head snapping back, the falling down, just wow. If they only added in ball shots. If they have a good head on their shoulders, I might let them do some co-op.

You might not believe me but when MK came out, my INTJ personality was in full effect. Plotting and planning... the presentation to my mom and not dad. Checking and double checking with old brother about the logistics. I was very convincing. I can remember my best friend spending a night. Weird which memory are pretty vivid. The store we rented it from was Video Square. I think we ended up playing more Super Tecmo Bowl that night.

Although at 10, I did tell my brother... "I WILL DESTROY YOU!"

Well sure, at 10 it was your sworn duty to destroy all siblings. And that's actually a good point about COD4. There are times I get a little uncomfortable with war being as glorified (and maybe even as accessible) as it is. And that's also a good point about how MK, for it's time, was pretty graphic. It's tame by today's standards, but back then I felt bad just walking past it in the arcade.

[Xerxes]

Well sure, at 10 it was your sworn duty to destroy all siblings. And that's actually a good point about COD4. There are times I get a little uncomfortable with war being as glorified (and maybe even as accessible) as it is. And that's also a good point about how MK, for it's time, was pretty graphic. It's tame by today's standards, but back then I felt bad just walking past it in the arcade.

Hell, the media was beating on it like it was GTA. It felt so taboo back then. Ripping hearts out and pulling the head off with the skull still attached. :cool:

[H1PO]

As I said in the RSS feed post, kids are fucking dumb if they can't find a way. I know exactly what stores to go to when I want an M rated game. Its really not hard. I'm glad the survey says its so, but its really not that way for us kids.