Should Australia Have an R 18+ Classification for Video Games?

The subject of whether video games with mature or adult content should be restricted from sale in Australia represents a complex social issue. Under the current classification system for video games, any game deemed unsuitable for people under the age of 15 is banned from sale in Australia. With ref...

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Published inYouth studies Australia Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 9 - 17
Main Authors King, Daniel, Delfabbro, Paul
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Australian Clearing House for Youth Studies 01.03.2010
Subjects
Censorship
Licensing, certification and accreditation
Psychological aspects
Social aspects
Video games
Video games and children
Video games and teenagers
Violence in video games
Youth market
Australia
Online AccessGet full text
ISSN1038-2569

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Summary:The subject of whether video games with mature or adult content should be restricted from sale in Australia represents a complex social issue. Under the current classification system for video games, any game deemed unsuitable for people under the age of 15 is banned from sale in Australia. With reference to relevant supporting literature, this paper presents a critical summary of the arguments for and against the introduction of an R 18+ rating for video games. Analysis of the key issues reveals that the R 18+ rating issue encompasses matters of accessibility versus restriction of adult material, censorship versus freedom of creative expression, parental versus governmental responsibility, among many other considerations. It is concluded that the known benefits outweigh the perceived but empirically insubstantial risks of introducing an R 18+ rating for video games in Australia.
Bibliography:Youth Studies Australia, Vol. 29, No. 1, Mar 2010: 9-17
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ISSN:1038-2569