Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / TECHNOLOGY
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Thursday, 12 October 2006, 09:16 GMT 10:16 UK

Microsoft's Xbox safety effort

Video gamers Microsoft is launching a campaign to help parents make interactive entertainment safer for their children.

The company will provide information on how to use the integrated safety settings on its Xbox 360 console.

They will also help parents to understand more about the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) ratings.

The move reflects the growing concern surrounding the effects of inappropriate videogame content on children.

Safety settings

Microsoft's Xbox 360 contains password encrypted features that allow parents to restrict the content that their children can access.

The technology is based on the ESRB content ratings that are encoded into most Xbox videogames.

But the company is concerned parents may not know how to use the safety settings, so has launched an initiative in the US: Safety is no game. Is your family set?, entailing a nation-wide bus tour and advertising campaign.

Robbie Bach, president of the entertainment and devices division at Microsoft, said: "With success comes responsibility. We are unwavering in our commitment to address the genuine concerns of families on how to keep interactive entertainment safe and fun for our children."




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
Child plea made to games industry (05 Oct 06 |  Technology )
Parents 'ignore game age ratings' (24 Jun 05 |  Technology )
Lost childhood? Nostalgic claptrap (13 Sep 06 |  Magazine )
Shoot first, ask questions later? (23 Aug 06 |  Technology )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Microsoft Xbox
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©