How can we warn teenagers about the dangers of video games? How can we explain to them that the PEGI (Pan European Game Information) rating, which indicates the recommended ages for each game, is not only there to protect them, but also to let them make the most of certain games whose complexity is hard to explore and understand before a certain age? The first time I spoke in a secondary school on the subject of video games, before I had even started to talk, a hand went up: “Sir, is it more dangerous to play WOW (pronounced WOUW) or CALL (pronounced CAUL)?” If you don’t know how to answer such a question put to you right from the start, there is no point carrying on: nobody listens to you any more, and your credibility in the field is ruined. But how can you answer if you know neither World of Warcraft nor Call of Duty?
That is why only adult, responsible gamers are able to speak on this subject. By that I mean adults who have both experienced the pleasure these games provide, know their qualities as well as their shortcomings, and are aware of the pitfalls they present, notably in terms of the values they portray.
In Switzerland, I was able to help set up such a club. It is called Swiss Gamers Network, and its members are frequently asked to speak in schools. A brochure is available on their website www.Swiss Gamers Network.
In France, sadly, nothing similar exists yet, but such gamers do exist! School heads who want to organise a debate in their school can ask, on the day of the start-of-year meeting, which parents play video games and are ready to take up the adventure. They can also go through the parents’ committee, which will pass on… Just one precaution: never let a parent speak alone, always at least three. First because not everyone necessarily knows all the games children play, but also to ensure a variety of viewpoints and enrich the debate. And the debate will of course be open to parents who want to find out more as well as to young people!
The 3-6-9-12 association is committed to promoting, encouraging and defending these initiatives.
