Do parents understand the esrb ratings system?

[NAKEDsnake2010]

I for one have had to answer many questions my uncle has about games for his son because he doesnt understand it. Not to mention the kids that live wit their grandparents or anyone who is not in touch with technology. So my question is should the explanations on the back of the box rating square be more specific? KInd of like how movies have the "and a scene of teen drinking" thing.

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

I think a better question is "Do Parents Care About The ESRB Ratings System?"

 

[Simalacrum]

well, my parents do at the very least... but generally speaking it doesn't bother them anymore since I'm 18 anyways.

They do seem to think that the level of violence in videogames is far more tolerated compared to other media such as film - e.g., if a game is rated "15" with violence, my dad might think it should be rated 18.

 

[Emphraim]

I think a better question is "Do Parents Care About The ESRB Ratings System?"

This. My parents don't even know the system exists. All they know is that for some games, they need to come with me to Gamestop so I can buy them. I actually had to tell them that Fallout 3 had violence,gore, etc. and was rated M. They wouldn't have thought of checking it themselves most likely.

 

[New Troll]

I think a better question is "Do Parents Care About The ESRB Ratings System?"

The rating system is VERY self-explanatory, so if they don't 'understand', this would be why.

 

[Destal]

Well as a parent (admittedly I doubt my 20 month old will be playing L4D2 anytime soon) I'll let them play certain games when I feel they are ready, not some retarded group.

 

[Nieroshai]

Working at a gamestop, one starts to notice that some parents won't buy a game if it has an M rating even if that M rating is from purple alien blood, while others will buy their kids the bloodiest, verbally filthiest game there is as long as there is no sexual or sensual content. I even saw a parent buying his kid Leisure Suit Larry. When I told him its contents, he was all like, "yeah, but there's no violence is there?" Some parents are extremely protective on some things and lax on others. My mom? She would've bought me anything as long as I paid her back in extra chores... ;D

 

[Skeleon]

Huh, well I guess the PEGI ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_European_Game_Information ) is a bit easier for people who don't really know about these kinds of ratings, because they directly state the recommended age (12, 16, 18, whatever) instead of a letter that represents an age-rating.

I guess the ESRB could replace their code with numbers, too, to make it easier for people out of touch of media/technology.

On the other hand, even for those people, it's not too difficult to find out what the letters of the ESRB actually mean. It's more important that the parents actually care about what media their children consume.

EDIT:

I even saw a parent buying his kid Leisure Suit Larry. When I told him its contents, he was all like, "yeah, but there's no violence is there?"

We need more parents like that. A boob or two never hurt anybody.

 

[Cama Zots]

I seriously doubt it. I don't think that even ESRB even understands their rating system that well, I don't think that some games deserve an M rating and other NEED one.

 

[War Penguin]

My parents are aware of the ESRB and they don't really care. I think they know I won't bring that violence into reality.

Everyone else's parent's, on the other hand, is a different story. Some I know are either too protective or not protective enough. My friend's mom won't let him play M rated games even though he's the most mature guy I know. Then there are the kids on XBLA. I don't think I need to go into details there.

 

[Aqualung]

My parents don't. They just trust me to be mature enough to play whatever games I play.

Sidenote: BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD.

 

[Marv21]

My parents when I was 6-10 let me play T and E games only, and when I was 12 etc. they let me play Halo etc.....I think that is a good system to work by.

 

[Undeed]

I think they do, not that it matters. They tend to consult one of the young'uns regarding game purchases.

Usually next to the ESRB letter there's a list. That list describes in the vaguest terms possible what earned it that rating. It's stuff like "Mild Blood", "Fantasy/Cartoon Violence", "Implied Alchohol/Tobacco Use", etc. That ought to be clear enough for people to get the idea if they know to look there.

 

[Deadarm]

I was playing Doom, Doom2 and Wolfenstien-3d when I was 5 so mine didn't really care.

 

[Low Key]

My parents either didn't know or they didn't care. If I had to guess, I'd say the former. I wasn't any older than 8 years old when I started playing Mortal Kombat. Of course, I could always go to the arcade and play it too. It's not like the people who worked there cared.

 

[Sixties Spidey]

I think they do. I think it's a matter of deliberately trying to get their kid to shut the fuck up. They won't care unless their kid can have his game and leaves mommy alone.

 

[Veylon]

No. I've worked the checkout lines when a kid puts their games through. I swipe it, the register pops up with the warning that it not be sold to the overly young. I point this minor detail out and the parent impatiently tells me to get on with it.

I've yet to see a parent tell their kid to put it back.

 

[Lord Thodin]

Mine due but dont care, seeing as how I never murdered my whole family just by playing GTA 3. Thank you right wing.