For years Michele Aitken banned her son James from playing with toy guns because she disliked the violent connotations so much.

In response, the young lad started creating his own make-believe weapons instead, so she reluctantly relented in the belief that it is "just what little boys do".

Now he is nine, James, like many boys his age, has moved on to computers - which takes monitoring his play into a new and more complex arena.

Mrs Aitken and husband Alastair do not allow their son to access the internet on the family computer unless he is doing homework and being supervised.

They do let him play computer games, however.

One of his favourites is Worms, where players use "wild and wacky weapons to blow enemy worms into the stratosphere".

It has a U rating from the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) and Mrs Aitken was reassured by the wording on the box of his DVD Rom version which states that it is suitable for children aged three and over.

James also has a Pirates of the Caribbean game which his parents bought after taking him to see the popular film. Like the movie itself, the computer game version is rated as being unsuitable for children under 12.

Although the Aitkens felt there was nothing in the game which was worse than the movie, the apparently conflicting guidance does little to help parents trying to strike the right balance between freedom and protection for their children.

The anomaly over ratings could soon be resolved by new proposals announced yesterday to replace the current voluntary classification for games with a compulsory system following the same criteria as the one applied to films by the BBFC.

It is among recommendations in an independent review by TV child psychologist Dr Tanya Byron, commissioned by Westminster, to assess the potential risks to children from exposure to harmful or inappropriate material, such as violent or sexual content, on the internet and in video games.

The review, which did not cover Scotland but which is being considered carefully by the Scottish Government, also recommended launching a massive public information and awareness campaign covering both online access and video gaming.

As ministers south of the Border pledge to begin work on introducing the measures there, Mrs Aitken says clearer advice and information is also needed in Scotland.

The 44-year-old Citizens Advice Bureau volunteer who lives in Biggar with Alastair, 60, James and 15-year-old daughter Helen, says: "I feel I know what's going on in our home computer which I probably use the most, but I wouldn't say I knew much about these things computer games and the internet because they are not things I was used to when I was growing up.

"Our daughter has been allowed to use the internet since she joined high school. She uses MSN but she is not interested in sites like Facebook and I think she is very sensible. I would not want to be complacent though."

Referring to the Pirates of the Caribbean game, Mrs Aitken says: "I don't think it is appropriate to be shooting people and cutting their arms off but that is what is in the film and the film was rated PG, although the game had a 12+ rating. I don't like it myself but it seems to appeal to James. Little boys like shooting guns and firing at things, that's just what little boys do.

"The games James has come in boxes marked 3+, 7+, 11+, 15+ or 18+ and we do use the age guides, although having an older sister he does have some which are 11+ that we let him play. We can see what he's doing when he's playing."

She would be appalled if James went on to play the notoriously violent Manhunt 2 game, however, which he could do once he turns 18 after it was finally cleared for release this month.

The game, produced by Leith-based firm Rockstar, was initially refused a certificate by censors because of its "casual sadism" portraying violent killings with instruments from pliers to syringes. The parents of youngster Stefan Pakeerah, who was stabbed and beaten to death in Leicester in 2004, believe his teenage killer, Warren LeBlanc, was inspired by the original Manhunt - although police and lawyers at the trial said there was no evidence the game played any part in the murder.

Mrs Aitken says: "Those games sound absolutely horrendous. I just hope he would not want to play them. I think they should be regulated."

As for the internet she believes that nine is too young to be using it unsupervised, "because you just don't know what's out there."

It is that fear and ignorance that is also driving the official review.

Mrs Aitken admits that she does not know much about parental control software, another shortcoming in public knowledge which Dr Byron is keen to have the industry address.

The psychologist is challenging computer gaming firms to find ways of improving parents understanding of the controls available, and of the age ratings.

Perhaps after the hostility to Manhunt and other games, Rockstar so far refuses to comment on the review, either positively or negatively.

The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association, is broadly supportive but expresses reservations about whether the proposed new classifications could keep up with soaring demand for online games.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Government, while conceding that there are dangers, is quick to stress the positive impact which both computer games and the internet can have on young people's lives.

To that end, 16 schools across the country are trialling games-based brain training which has been inspired by Scotland's leading-edge skills in games technology.

A spokeswoman adds that the Scottish Government is working closely with its UK counterpart to ensure that children can enjoy the internet and computer games safely.

Children's charity NCH Scotland also welcomes yesterday's proposals which it said should be introduced north of the border too.

A spokesman said: "Parents are often unaware of what their children might be viewing on the internet, and although home internet access is important, it is vital that they receive information on how to keep their children safe online. The proposed education campaign is an essential step. What we need to see now is action."

Tanya Byron

Doctor Tanya Byron, pictured, is best known to the public for her no-nonsense approach helping parents bring up their children on the BBC TV programmes The House of Tiny Tearaways and Little Angels.

But she has a serious clinical background as a psychologist with 16 years experience of working in the NHS covering areas from drug dependency and sexual health to mental health and eating disorders.

After gaining a psychology degree at York University, she completed a masters in clinical psychology at University College London and wrote a PhD on the misuse of recreational drugs between University College Hospital and Surrey.

She went on to write three books on child behaviour, and is currently editing an encyclopedia of child development with Dorling Kindersley.

Last year she presented four documentaries for BBC2 on sex, addiction, vanity and spirituality.



Controversial Industry

David Johnston
The gaming industry in Scotland is no stranger to controversy.

Only two weeks ago Manhunt 2, designed by Leith based Rockstar North, was finally given an 18 certificate after initially being banned because of its excessive violent content.

The nine-month dispute over whether to release the game was not the first time the firm's had sparked concern. The original version of Manhunt was blamed by the parents of murdered schoolboy 14-year-old Stefan Pakeerah for inspiring their son's killer, Warren LeBlanc, who was obsessed with the game when he stabbed and beat his victim to death in Leicester in 2004.

The game, which gave players points for stealth killings, has angered parents and politicians.

Rockstar North also caused similar controversy with its Grand Theft Auto series, where players were rewarded for acts of criminal behaviour.

The company, originally named DMA, was formed by Scottish gaming mogul David Jones in Dundee in 1991.

He was also responsible for creating the Lemmings series in the 1990s.