23/04/2008 (Agence Europe) -In the opinion of MEP Ivo Belet (EPP-ED, Belgium), the practice of certain member states of banning the sale of the most violent video games is not the right way to protect young people, but may in fact make these games more attractive in their eyes. Speaking on the occasion of the publication, on Tuesday 22 April, of the communication by the European Commission (EUROPE 9648), Mr Belet advocated a dual approach: on the one hand, ensure that there is a uniform age-based classification system in place throughout the European territory and, on the other, give young people proper "media education". "It is an illusion to believe that we can completely seal young people off from violent video games. We must, therefore, teach them the difference between fiction and reality and encourage them to act like responsible consumers of cultural goods", he stressed. (I.L.)