46 percent of children can buy M-rated games

Videogame ratings are something which people have very, very mixed feelings about. Some people think that they are essentially useless things and that video games are a medium which should not be rated at all. Other people think the opposite. Apparently, almost half of the people who are actually selling the games in stores are in the first group - that or they just don't know the law.

In a a study which was partially released today, the American National Institute of Media and Family has revealed that 46 percent of children who tried to buy M-rated games were actually able to. The study covered more than 60 national American retailers.

The findings of the NIMF report, which has not yet been fully disclosed, are similar to those of the Federal Trade Commission who released a report earlier this year that showed that 42 percent of underage buyers could buy games rated as unsuitable for their age group by the ESRB.

The report is actually good news though and shows a decrease from the results of 2003 where 69 percent of children could buy M-rated games. However, even though the rate is falling it's still something which obviously needs to be tackled by those in the industry.

According to Gamespot, the full report of the NIMFs annual sting operations will be available next month.

So, what do you think of game ratings? I know that as a kid I never had any trouble buying games with adult ratings - but I never had trouble getting into 18-rated movies either thanks to being quite tall for my age. What about you though - ever had any troubles with ratings? Let us know in the forums.