British MEP Backs The “Red Button”

Glenis Willmott, member of the European Parliament for the East Midlands, is supporting the Euro suggestion that consoles should come equipped with a “red button” allowing parents to shut down their childrens’ games.

The idea was put forward in a recent report for the European Parliament’s Internal Market Committee, which also called for stronger legislation on the retail of violent games.

On her website, Ms. Willmott spoke out in favour of the button:

‘œParents should have the chance to choose what their children are playing. Not all video games are suited to all age groups and there may be harmful effects on young minds.

‘œA red button fitted to consoles, computers and other gaming devices would offer parents the chance to control access or even disable games with inappropriate content.’

Ignoring the fact that such a button already exists (hint: it’s called the power button) and that the three modern consoles are equipped with parental controls, surely parents “have the chance to choose” what games their children are playing when they purchase them?

Instead of creating nonsensical magic buttons, perhaps Ms. Willmott and the European Parliament should concentrate on stopping parents buying 18 rated games for their under-age children. Or would that be too sensible?

Via: GamePolitics.