Byron Report is released

The government’s independent review of the effects of videogames and the internet on kids and young people was released today.

Authored by child psychologist ‘and mother of two’ Dr. Tanya Byron, the Byron Review aims to support the government in their approach to game and online content understanding and regulation. From the Executive Summary:

Hardly a day goes by without a news report about children being brutalised and abused in the real world or its virtual counterpart. Some make links between what happens online or in a game, and what happens on the streets or at home.These headlines have contributed to the climate of anxiety that surrounds new technology and created a
fiercely polarised debate in which panic and fear often drown out evidence. The resultant clamour distracts
from the real issue and leads to children being cast as victims rather than participants in these new,
interactive technologies.

The games industry has been waiting with bated breath for this since it was announced by the Prime Minister late last year, and over the six months since, there has been a mountain of speculation about the outcomes - and about the author herself. Her press diary is booked up completely, but there will be an interview on next week’s Tech Weekly podcast. I’m also attending a press Q&A next week where industry will have the opportunity to speak with Dr. Byron.

If there’s anything you’d like me to ask, please do add it to the comments below.

If you would like to read the report, you can download it from The Guardian, or from the DFES.