Prosecute parents over access to violent video games - censor

Parents should be prosecuted for allowing their children to play age-restricted video games, the chief censor says.

Current laws allow punishments of up to three months jail or a $10,000 fine for those caught supplying R-18 games to children.

While there have been no prosecutions so far, chief censor Bill Hastings told the Dominion Post the laws should be enforced to help prevent the effects of repeat exposure to violence and sexual violence on young people.

"There would certainly be some shock value to prosecuting a parent who gives their child access to a restricted game. It would send out a message that the enforcement agency means business.

"They might think the offence is silly, but it ain't."

He said parents had become out of touch with technological advances and the new games available and may be unaware of their content.

"Parents need to get up to speed on the digital divide. They need to look at what their kids are playing and doing.

"I think the word 'game' can mislead people for sure. It's not checkers."

Mr Hastings told the newspaper he would be seeking a change to the Films, Videos and Publications Classification Act to allow ratings on all video games.

- NZPA