Video games rating system to be revamped

- Why are video games in the news again?

The Byron Review, which published its findings in March, was set up to look at the risks to children of exposure to potentially harmful internet or video game material. It recommended the existing classification systems for video games be reformed, so the government is now consulting children, parents, retailers and the games industry on what they'd like to see in its place.

- I'm not sure I understand the current system.

There are two video game classification systems in the UK. The statutory system uses independent examiners to classify a product by age and describe its content. This is overseen by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). Any game considered 18+ is referred to the BBFC, which has the power to remove harmful material or even refuse to classify a game, effectively banning it from sale. However, the video games industry also has a voluntary scheme called Pan-European Game Information (PEGI), which also classifies games by age and describes content through pictograms. Although ratings are supplied by the industry, the system is recognised across the European Union. Both systems have developed an online version.