UK: Parents & video games

"It may be a game, but it's not necessarily for children" is the basic message British officials and media specialists are sending. It's also a message that people who know video games feel is not getting through to parents on both sides of the Atlantic. This week, British government officials, video game industry representatives and the British Board of Film Classification met to discuss "concerns that children may be playing games aimed at adults which include high levels of violence, the BBC reports. "In 2003, Britons spent £1,152 million [$2.2 billion] on games, more than ever before. And this Christmas, parents are expected to spend millions on video games and consoles." For US news on the video-game front, see "Check out the game ratings!", "Kid-tested, parent-approved games," and "10 worst video games."