Monthly archive for: June 2012

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  • 26Jun

  How can my family play games more healthily?

  Video games, played appropriately can be a great addition to other activities you do as a family. Here are some key points to remember for parents: The PEGI ratings system helps you make informed decisions about which  video games to choose for your family A PEGI rating gives the suggested minimum age that you must [...]

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  • 26Jun

  What are the health risks/side effects posed to regular gamers?

  As with all hobbies, if games are played sensibly then there are no health risks posed to regular gamers. Millions of people play games safely every day and playing video games is simply another daily activity that can give people pleasure. In fact, UK gamers aged 16-49 spend most time surfing the internet (83% spending [...]

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  • 26Jun

  Will computer games affect my child’s behaviour?

  There is no evidence to suggest that people’s behaviour is negatively affected by playing video games. For example, there is no conclusive evidence directly linking violence in individuals to the games they play. Academic studies in support of this statement include those published by the Harvard Medical School Centre for Mental Health, the Journal of [...]

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  • 26Jun

  Can playing computer games cause Deep Vein Thrombosis?

  Studies suggest that any situation in which someone spends hours sitting in one place can increase the risk of a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). But this can happen with any stationary leisure activity – including watching television, listening to music or reading a book. It is advised that  prolonged periods of inactivity should be avoided [...]

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  • 26Jun

  Are videogames bad for my health?

  Video games can sometimes falsely be perceived as a sedentary activity. However, our partnership with the Department of Health’s Change4Life Campaign indicates the positive role video games can play in promoting an active and healthy lifestyle. Nintendo’s Wii Fit Plus is sold with the Change4Life logo on the box. Following the success of the Nintendo [...]

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  • 26Jun

  Can computer games cause epilepsy?

  The key point here is that the current research shows that video games don’t cause epilepsy but can trigger a seizure in the extremely small number of people, who already have Photosensitive Epilepsy. This is similar to how their condition could be triggered by watching television, disco lights, or light flickering through trees. The Consumer [...]

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  • 26Jun

  Is it possible for my child to become addicted to games?

  Gaming is a hobby, like reading, listening to music or playing a sport. As with other hobbies, those participating in playing games can engage with it deeply and passionately. There is no conclusive research identifying a link between games themselves and addiction. In a few cases people have been known to play games excessively, but [...]

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  • 26Jun

  What are the legal penalties for someone who abuses the age rating system?

  From the summer of 2012 the PEGI system has been effectively incorporated into UK law and the VSC has been designated as the body responsible for the age rating of video games under the PEGI system. Video games will be age rated at one or other of the following age levels. You will see the [...]

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  • 26Jun

  What do the symbols mean?

  Computer and video games are age-rated according to the PEGI (Pan-European Games Information) system, and all packaging is visibly marked, front and back, with the traffic light age bands 3, 7, 12, 16 and 18.   The square symbols on the left of this page are examples of the PEGI ratings. Where necessary, icons found on [...]

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  • 26Jun

  Why have age ratings?

  Computer, console and handheld gaming is now a mass-market leisure activity, with millions of players throughout Europe. In the UK, at least one in three people played a video game in the last year. And many of these players are adults: in fact, the average age of games players is now over 33. While most [...]