E-Safety Newsletter for Parents/Carers
April 2015
Welcome to our April 2015 E-safety
Newsletter. Please continue to check out our
dedicated e-Safety Page under the
Parent/Carer tab on our website –
www.tces.org.uk for the very latest news and
up to date technology.
New on our website in April 2015
Television Programmes to look out for:
CBBC's first online drama, Dixi, which explores the world of social media. Shari
decides to investigate when a mysterious cyberkiller hacks her social networking
profile. Episodes on CBBC Iplayer (aimed at 7-12 year olds)
For the full Dixi experience go to www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/games/dixi (published
02/04/15).
BBC Tech News stories
 Internet Trolls: who are the people in the dark corners (please read before
sharing with your children as subject matter is political.
Latest Information on our Digital Apps on our Website:
Is internet porn affecting children’s happiness?
Internet porn: top tips for how to respond
Don’t forget if you do not have access to the internet and would like this
information sent to you please contact your school’s administrator.
Understanding video game ratings
Since 2012, age ratings for video games have been
compulsory in the United Kingdom. These ratings are
set by an organisation called Pan European Game
Information, usually known as PEGI, and they are
a useful tool for parents trying to decide whether a game is right for their children
- but they're not the same as film ratings. So what exactly do they mean?
What levels are there?
Games can receive an age rating of 3, 7, 12, 16 or 18. The 3 and 7 ratings are only
advisory, but ratings 12, 16 and 18 are mandatory and it is against the law to sell
a game with one of these ratings to someone under the specified age. The ratings
will normally be accompanied by at least one of nine possible descriptors to
explain a game’s age classification.
What do the ratings mean?
3 – Games with this rating are appropriate for all age groups but may contain
some mild comical violence. Characters will be fantasy-based and not something
a child could associate with a real life character. There should be no profanity,
nudity or references to sexual activity. Games rated 3 should not include
frightening sounds or images.
7 – A game might be rated 7 if it is generally appropriate for all ages but contains
some images or sounds that could scare young children. Any partial nudity that is
shown should not be sexual in nature.
12 – Slightly more graphic violence is allowed in games rated 12 if it is directed at
fantasy characters. Non-graphic violence against human-like characters or
recognisable animals is also permitted, as is slightly more graphic nudity. These
games can also include mild profanity that is not sexual in nature.
16 – Games are rated 16 once depictions of violence or sexual activity look as they
would in real life. These games can contain scenes of criminal activity and more
extreme profanity and may encourage drug or tobacco use.
18 – Games that receive this rating can include violence that is strong enough to
cause a sense of revulsion. Explicit depictions of sexual activity (including visible
genitalia) and glamorised drug use are also permitted.
Descriptors
Age ratings are usually accompanied by one or more explanatory descriptors.
These should be interpreted in the context of the age rating – so a game rated 18
with a bad language descriptor will contain more severe profanity than one rated
12.
Drugs – these games may depict or refer to drug use.
Fear – these games may contain material that is scary for young
children.
Discrimination – these games may include content that encourages or
depicts discrimination
Bad language – these games contain swearing. It will be mild in games
rated 12 and can include sexual expletives in games rated 16 and 18.
Gambling – games with this descriptor may teach or encourage
gambling.
Violence – these games contain depictions of violence. The severity of
the violence will depend on the age rating.
Nudity – these games may show nudity in a sexual context.
Sex – games with this descriptor may contain sexual references or
show sexual behaviour.
Horror – these games may contain sounds or effects that could cause
shock or revulsion to a viewer.
Online – these games can be played online, either alone or with others.
Other information
It’s important to note that age ratings apply only to the appropriateness of
content and not to difficulty – so a game rated 3 won’t include any sex or violence
but might be too complex or challenging for a young child to enjoy.
The ratings are a useful guideline, but every child is different. Some children over
the age of 12, for example, could still be upset or confused by some of the content
in a 12-rated game. And as with any media, age restrictions won’t necessarily keep
your children from seeing it. If your child is an avid gamer it’s probably worth
having a conversation about sex, violence and other potentially inappropriate or
upsetting content in games.
That’s all for this month – stay safe
Lesley
E-Safety Officer