ESRB Study Claims Parents Happy With Game Ratings

A new study claims that the vast majority of American parents agree with the ratings assigned to games by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). The study, conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, found that parents agree with ESRB ratings 83 percent of the time, and found the ratings to be too strict 5 percent of the time. According to Patricia E. Vance, president of the ESRB, "The results are especially noteworthy and credible because unlike academic studies that rely on the personal opinions of the researchers, this one gets to the heart of the matter by gathering information directly from those people for whom ratings matter the most - parents." The study showed 401 randomly selected parents a compilation of video footage from 80 popular games, rated within the prior twelve months. Respondents were asked to assign the ESRB rating they felt was most appropriate and then were told what rating the ESRB actually assigned the game. The study comes out at the same time as eight members of congress have urged parents and other consumers to check the ESRB rating before making a purchase. "Nearly forty percent of all Americans plan on giving or receiving a computer or video game this holiday season," said Senator Rick Santorum (R-NC). "I urge parents to be aware of the ESRB rating system and the guidance it can provide."