Are there any restrictions on the age of players in video games?
In California, there are several restrictions in place that pertain to the age of players in video games. According to the California Assembly Bill 1179 (AB 1179), no one under the age of 18 may purchase or rent a video game with an “M” or “AO” rating, which stands for “Mature” or “Adults Only.” This legislation was implemented in 2005 and also requires retailers to post signs notifying customers of the law at the point of sale. Additionally, game publishers are responsible for ensuring that age-restricted content in games is not available to those under the appropriate age. According to the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), the self-regulatory body for video game content in the United States, it is the game publisher’s responsibility to ensure that content is restricted to those of the appropriate age. This includes blocking access to content which has been labeled as explicit or sexually explicit through any “parental controls” that are included in the game. In conclusion, there are restrictions in place in California regarding the age of players in video games. In order to be sold or rented in the state, video games that have been labeled as either “Mature” or “Adults Only” may not be purchased or rented by minors. Additionally, it is the responsibility of the game publisher to ensure that any age-restricted content is blocked from those under the appropriate age.
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