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Local MP Backs Internet Safety Campaign
Gordon MP Richard Thomson has given his backing to a campaign helping parents to make sure their children can play online video games safely and responsibly.
In the run-up to the festive season, Internet Matters and Electronic Arts have launched a new campaign that educates parents on the benefits of parental controls on games consoles and encourages them to set the controls up before gifting a console to their children. The campaign features the comedian Katherine Ryan, with a new video game take on ‘Twas the night before Christmas’. The remake of the Christmas classic aims to help parents feel confident in setting controls that limit the time their children spend gaming, levels of in-game spending, and who they interact with.
There is also a one-stop online hub for parents and carers, with information on controls for different consoles; a simple template for gaming use agreements between parents and children; and advice on games ratings and expert tips for parents buying consoles this Christmas. It also provides advice on how to have conversations with children if gaming gets out of hand, plus tailored advice for children with special educational needs or a disability.
Both Internet Matters and Electronic Arts believe that using parental controls, setting digital boundaries, getting involved and having regular, open conversations about safe gaming is the best way to protect children to ensure they have a positive experience when playing video games, whether that’s by themselves, or with their family and friends.
Commenting, Richard Thomson MP said:
“We´ll all soon be turning our attention to the Christmas season and what presents to buy our loved ones. Many families will be thinking about buying a new video games console or video games for their children or grandchildren to enjoy.
“If you are one of those parents, carers, an aunt, uncle, or grandparent, then you might want to think about parental controls on video games and consoles before wrapping them up and gifting them.
“Parental controls are free, easy and help families feel confident that they are protecting their children in terms of the time they spend gaming, the money they spend in-game and who they interact with. Please visit www.internetmatters.org/nightbeforevideogames/ to find out more information.”
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