Shropshire youngsters playing adult-rated PC games a parenting issue, says county head

Geoff Pettengell, executive principal and CEO of Shrewsbury Academies Trust, was speaking after headteachers in Cheshire said they would clamp down on children playing or watching 18-rated games such as Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty and Gears of War, even reporting parents to the police.

But Mr Pettengell said it was a matter more for parents than teachers.

"It is not something we have a Shropshire-wide policy on," he added. "It is my personal view that it is more about what parents allow their children to do. It is a parenting issue. My son has computer games but I wouldn't let him use games like that."

Nantwich Education Partnership, made up of 16 schools in Cheshire, sent a letter to parents saying the levels of violence and sexual content in some games are inappropriate and could lead to "early sexualised behaviour" and leave children "vulnerable to grooming for sexual exploitation or extreme violence". It said: "If your child is allowed to have inappropriate access to any game, or associated product, that is designated 18+ we are advised to contact the police and children's social care as this is deemed neglectful."

But Mr Pettengell said the issue is more about educating children. "Pupils are educated at the schools about e-safety but parents have a responsibility to protect their children," he added. "It is about educating and ensuring that children engage with age-appropriate material."

Mary Hennessy Jones, the head who drafted the letter, said: "We are trying to help parents to keep their children as safe as possible in this digital era."

David Cameron recently announced teachers, social workers and councillors could face up to five years in jail if they failed to speak up when they suspected or received allegations that children were being neglected, ill-treated or abused.

But parents groups have said the plans are too strict. Margaret Morrissey, of pressure group Parents Outloud, said: "Accepting the huge concerns about these violent games, I think the schools are stepping outside the realm of what is probably acceptable."