EP: Online games need a red button for parents

The European Parliament's Internal Market Committee said this morning that parents need a "red button" to shut down online gamesthey feel are inappropriate for their children.

"Parents should have a 'red button' to disable a game they feel is inappropriate for their child," said the body in a report.

"Until PEGI on-line is up and running, the report proposes fitting consoles, computers or other game devices with a 'red button' to give parents the chance to disable a game or control access at certain times."

GamePolitics noted that the EP did acknowledge that games can be great sources of recreation for children as well as a learning tool, but want parents to have more control over what their kids are playing, including the ability to terminate it.

The EP also supports the PEGI rating system, and said further that, "Different approaches to strengthening control of video games should be explored," but that it does not propose specific EU legislation.

Many kids out there probably wish their parents had a "red button" as well.

More through the link.