Sony has announced parental controls in its new PlayStation, joining the ranks of the Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Revolution in offering this feature. Users of PlayStation 2 could limit access, but only to movies and not games, but the new PlayStation will be able to restrict children's access to violent video games with ease.

The video-game industry has been under tougher scrutiny in recent years as lawmakers enacted legislation restricting sales of violent video games to minors. Industry groups have so far successfully challenged the laws in court, citing violations of the First Amendment.

"With the average age of game players now 30, our industry naturally creates content appropriate for a wide range of audiences, just as there are TV shows, films, music and books for people of all tastes, interests and values," said Doug Lowenstein, president of the ESA.