Question:

Games shop sells to underage buyers, what can I do?

Just want to say that I support the work you all do for children and young people!

I have discovered a problem with a chain store nearby that sells computer games and films. They often sell games to underage customers and don’t care much for age limits. What can be done to make sure they sell games with the right age limit to the right age group? For example, I’ve heard about many in the age range 7 – 13 who have either bought "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" or gotten their parents to buy it. This worries me a bit when I, a 27-year-old, think the game at times contains a bit too much of the good stuff. I’m not the type to complain about everything, just very worried about the children who might be negatively influenced by these sorts of games.

Answer from Kids and Media's Director:

It’s of great value that you’re bothered about children receiving games that are age appropriate, including ensuring that underage buyers don’t buy adult games. It’s important that us adults show an interest for children’s everyday media use, as you do.

If, in your opinion, there is a pattern in the shop not following the age limits when selling games, I would recommend that you send the shop manager a letter about this. Describe in short your experience and ask the manager to discuss this with his employees.

If the shop is in a shopping centre, I suggest you send a copy of the letter to the centre’s manager. If you decide to do this, say so in your letter to the shop manager. A copy to the centre manager may result in a positive commitment for the shop to follow this up, as it will be of interest to both the shop itself and the shopping centre to be consistent in following the age recommendations in the sale of games and movies to children and young people. Vendors of movies and games are obliged to ensure that they don’t sell products to underage customers.

The PEGI age rating system
The Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) age rating system was established to help European parents make informed decisions on buying computer games. Age ratings are systems used to ensure that entertainment content, such as films, videos, DVDs, and computer games, are clearly labelled by age according to the content they contain. Age ratings provide guidance to consumers (particularly parents) to help them decide whether or not to buy a particular product.

You can read more about PEGI at http://www.pegi.info.

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