Danish parents use the Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) labels when deciding which games to buy for their children and they welcome the idea of an online labelling system. These conclusions resulted from an online survey of 812 Danish parents in spring 2006 by the Media Council for Children and Young People in Denmark.

Parents with children between 3-17 years of age from all over Denmark answered the online questionnaire, and an interesting picture of their views and behaviours in relation to their children’s use of computer games came into view.

Importantly, the survey showed that almost half of the respondents pay attention to the age labels on computer games they buy for their children and many of them look at the content icons.

The survey also indicated that parents combine their use of the PEGI labelling system with other forms of control such as playing the computer games together with their children, observing them as they play, and discussing with them. These are all forms of parental control that the Danish Media Council advices parents to use along with the PEGI labels and icons.

In recent years, computer games have been the object of much media panic in Denmark with headlines emphasizing the harmful effects of gaming. However, the survey showed that Danish parents have a balanced view on the potential dangers of gaming.

For example, many of the respondents believe that gaming has positive effects on their children both in terms of socialisation and learning. This is an important fact, since computer games have become an integrated part of Danish children and young people’s daily lives being one of their preferred cultural activities.

Combining forms of parental control based on active participation and involvement in children’s use of computer games, together with the PEGI labelling system is therefore essential.

Anne Rahbek, The Media Council for Children and Youth