WRITTEN QUESTION E-1182/98

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(29 April 1998)

Subject: Disastrous effects of video games on the physical and mental health of children

Recent scientific research and studies have shown that video games have disastrous effects on health - epilepsy, distortion of the optical nerve, violent headaches and even death. The mental health and balance of children is also undermined as they become inured to violence and confrontation. Given that the incidence of crimes and appalling acts committed by children has multiplied in recent times, the latest being the carnage at the school in Arkansas in the USA, will the Commission say in what ways it will intervene and what measures it intends to take to protect the mental and physical health of children from harmful video games and to prevent crime committed by children in the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(18 June 1998)

Will the Honourable Member please refer to the answer given by the Commission to her Oral Question H-412/98 during question time at Parliament's plenary session in May 1998(1) with regard to the effect of video games on mental health.

The likelihood of any harmful effects on the physical health of children is covered by Directive 88/378/EEC of 3 May 1988 concerning the safety of toys(2) where video games may be considered to be "toys" within the meaning of the directive (cf. Annex I, 1.18). The directive lays down (a) specific essential requirements regarding electrical characteristics (Annex II, II.4) and (b) a general requirement whereby toy users must be protected against health hazards and the risk of injury when toys are used either as intended or in a foreseeable manner, bearing in mind children's' behaviour (Annex II, I.1).

More specifically as regards the likelihood of epilepsy's being caused by playing video games, the Commission is aware that two Member States, the United Kingdom and France, have carried out scientific studies in this area and that France has apparently adopted a set of regulations introducing labelling requirements for video games, software and video game consoles in order to inform consumers firstly of any likelihood that certain persons playing that type of game might suffer epilepsy and secondly of the precautions to be taken when playing such games.

The Commission will examine the soundness of the French regulations and will consult the other Member States. In addition, on 15 April 1998, the Commission approved an amended proposal for a Parliament and Council decision adopting a Community action programme on injury prevention in the field of public health(3). Theconcept of injury in that programme also includes injuries to children at home, school or recreational amenities and certain aspects of damage to one's self. The programme will expand the collection of information, analysis of risk factors and prevention in order to reduce the incidence of such injuries by, in particular, promoting the spread and more effective applicable of good practice and preventive techniques. The safety of toys and their effects on children's health will be topics tackled by networks of Community experts which the programme also intends to set up or strengthen.

(1) Parliament debates (May 1998).

(2) OJ L 187, 16.7.1988.

(3) COM(88) 229 final.