Are there any legal requirements for game content to be age appropriate?

In Virginia, there are several legal requirements game content must meet in order to be age appropriate. The Virginia Consumer Protection Act states that games and other electronic media must contain content labels indicating the age range and/or maturity level of the game. These labels may include ratings such as E for Everyone, T for Teen and M for Mature. Additionally, the Virginia Consumer Protection Act requires that any games that feature violent content must have clear signage to alert customers of the game’s content. The Virginia Code also states that it is illegal for minors to purchase or use games that are rated M or higher without the consent of their parents or guardians. Furthermore, the code states that game retailers must post age restrictions for M-rated games, meaning only customers over the age of 17 are allowed to purchase them. Finally, the Virginia Computer Crime Act states that it is illegal for minors to access or possess pornographic materials. This law enforces a measure of responsibility upon game retailers to ensure that video games with pornographic elements are not made available to minors. The laws in Virginia make it clear that game content must be appropriate for the intended age range in order to be legally sold in the state. It is important for parents and guardians to understand these legal requirements and take appropriate steps to ensure their children are purchasing age-appropriate games.

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