In every popular clip on social media of a child acting aggressively, or news about another who committed some kind of crime, the same CD is repeated blaming games even though there are millions of children who play and have not committed any crime. Instead of searching for the correct ways behind the aggressive behavior of the child, the accusation is leveled that games are the cause. It is possible to understand this situation because the human nature does not allow him to admit his negligence or poor upbringing, and it is easier for him to start pointing fingers at others than to take responsibility and admit his mistake.
The main problem with toy-related incidents is the lack of parental control over what their children buy, as long as they are not a nuisance at home. A large percentage of accidents are due to the child being exposed to content that is not directed at him and is older than his age. Or tanning in front of the screen for long hours. Addiction to electronic games is no different in its harm than addiction to “YouTube”, for example. Therefore, parents must monitor the content consumed by their children, know the Saudi age classification of games, and take advantage of the tools provided by gaming platforms such as the parental control service.
Electronic gaming platforms such as PlayStation and Xbox include a system that allows parents to set restrictions that prevent the child from accessing specific features on the device. By specifying the child's age, this feature enables them to hide games that are not suitable for his age from the online store. In addition to controlling the ability to communicate with other players, it is possible to prevent friend requests and prevent players not added to the friend list from written or voice communication during online or outside the game.
Saudi standards
The Audiovisual Media Authority issued the Saudi age classification for games in 2017, and it appears as a mark on the covers of games that have entered the Saudi market on a regular basis. The label indicates the appropriate age for each game. In contrast to the European and American classification, the Saudi age classification is based on strict values and criteria. Any game that contains insults to divine religions or scenes of nudity is prohibited. The developer is notified of these notes, and he either removes them from the Saudi version, or prevents them from being sold in the Saudi market, whether in commercial stores or in the PlayStation and Xbox online store.
ages
Suitable for ages 3 and over: The content in these games is classified as suitable for all age groups, such as (sports). Some games may contain some violence, but in a cartoonish context suitable for children.
Suitable for ages 7 and over: This rating contains some frightening scenes or sounds, such as the presence of implied scenes of violence, or the characters interacting with violence in an unrealistic way (such as the disappearance of characters after their death).
Ages 12 and up: Games in this category may contain scary sounds or effects such as showing details of injuries.
Suitable for ages 16 and over: Games in this category may contain violence against human or simulated human or animal characters, show criminal acts with positive or no negative repercussions, or utter inappropriate words or insults to any game character within the game events.
Suitable for ages 18 and over: Games under this category may contain disgusting violent scenes such as torture, dismemberment of body parts with details of injury, or scenes of drug or cigarette use.
Abdullah Heneidy @sen3bd
