Useful sites

There are several sites which offer more information on all aspects of video games and gaming which might be useful to parents and teachers.

These range from information about how the machinery and technology works to sites which look at the content of games or which explore the possible positive and negative aspects of game playing.

BBFC sites

cbbfc
Children's BBFC is our website for primary school children and their parents and teachers. It includes option to review games and films in the basement, a chance to classify trailers, a dedicated games room, quizzes, education materials and activities allowing users to 'learn through play'.

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Our site aimed at 12+ in general (but with most focus on 14 - 18, GCSE and AS/A2 and equivalent level qualifications and those in further education). It includes Case Studies, timelines, guides for teachers and students, site articles written by BBFC examiners, links to other sites and academic resources.

pbbfc
The BBFC's website for parents which provides detailed extended consumer advice for parents enabling them to find out exactly how and why a film, DVD or video game received its rating. The site also includes detailed information about how works are rated and how parents can find out more about what their children view.

Other useful sites include:

DCMS - The department for Culture, Media and Sport. This government department is responsible for Government policy on many cultural, creative and sporting areas. This includes the creative industries such as film and video, video games, advertising and the music industries.

Click here to visit DCMS

DCFS - The Department for Children Schools and Families. In 2008 prominent Psychologist and TV presenter Tanya Byron produced a document entitled 'Safer Children In A Digital World' in which she looked in depth into the possible risks posed to children from exposure to potentially harmful or inappropriate material on the internet and in video games. 

A full copy of The Byron Review and the recommendations she made can be found here.

There is also a summary of The Byron Review for young people which can be downloaded from the same website here.

VSC - The Video Standards Council is a nonprofit organisation which represents retailers and rental outlets. It provides information on the law, classification and other issues and has a Code Of Conduct for members to follow. The site contains information about classification for parents.

Click here to visit VSC

PEGI - The Pan European Games Information System. The majority of games have 'PEGI' ratings. These are established through a 'voluntary information labelling' system for all games regardless of content, and are used in games in most European countries. The PEGI system is based on games producers responding to a questionnaire to self-certify the content in a particular game. This system automatically assigns age ratings for games suitable for children aged 3+, 7+ and 12+. All 12+ games are then retrospectively examined through game play, and a selection of games at 3+ and 7+ are also checked this way.

Click here to visit PEGI

Child Net - This is a non-profit organisation working with others to "help make the Internet a great and safe place for children".

Click here to visit Child Net

Kidsmart - An award winning practical internet safety programme website for schools, young people, parents, and agencies, produced by the children's internet charity Childnet International. It has lesson plans, leaflets, posters, activity days and interactive games among other features.

Click here to visit Kidsmart

ESRB - US body Entertainment Software Ratings Board have created several resources for parents which give information about video games, parental controls and online safety.

Click here to visit ESRB

ELSPA - Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association [ELSPA] (2008) Elspa provides information for parents on its 'AskaboutGames' website.

Click here to visit ELSPA