Brown unveils classification system for new media

A "labelling" system for media content is under way to help parents protect their children from unsuitable content in the digital age, Gordon Brown revealed today.

The chancellor said that Ofcom, the industry regulator, has agreed to back a system similar to cinema classifications that would provide better information about websites, TV programmes, computer games and other media content.

Mr Brown, widely tipped to succeed Tony Blair as prime minister, also signalled the need for international agreements to block the scourge of inappropriate content available to children on the internet.

Speaking to an audience of mothers and fathers in central London, Mr Brown appeared to use his address to speak more as a Labour leadership hopeful than a chancellor as he pledged other "practical" support for families trying to steer their offspring through the high-pressure culture of the modern world.

Mr Brown drew on his own experiences as a father to expose the new challenges faced by parents trying to teach their children right from wrong as sensationalist images of violence, drugs, and sex proliferated on the internet and other new media outlets.

More at source: http://media.guardian.co.uk/newmedia/story/0,,2028492,00.html

Could this mean a US-style rating for each TV show then?

Whilst this sounds good and smacks of good intentions, there are already enough QANGOs labelling content with the aim of informing parents of what is suitable (or not) for their children to have access to.

The problem is that most children are more IT aware than their parents and can somehow gain access to "unsuitable" material one way or another if they want to.

Labelling a TV programme, DVD, game or website in the UK as unsuitable doesn't stop someone loading it onto a server in some unscrupulous third world country and allowing all and sundry access to it.

I think it could help though.

Would it mean everything - cinema, TV, etc - had the same system?

Thing is, what is suitable and what isn't? It's difficult to draw a distinct line - and IMO parents should choose what to allow their kiddywinks to watch.