FTC: Video game retailers stricter on age rules than music, film

An undercover investigation by the Federal Trade Commission found video game retailers are the most vigilant in enforcing the age restrictions for games intended for mature audiences, compared to those selling music, DVDs and movie tickets.

The FTC recruited unaccompanied 13- to 16-year-olds to attempt to buy R-rated movie tickets, DVDs, music CDs with parental advisory labels (PAL) and games rated "M" (suitable for those ages 17 and older) between November 2010 and January. Only 13 percent of the shoppers were able to buy M-rated video games, an improvement from the purchase rate of 20 percent in 2009. In contrast, 64 percent of the teens were able to buy music CDs with PALs, 38 percent purchased R-rated DVDs and a third were able to buy R-rated movie tickets.