Ministers have welcomed a report calling for cinema-style age classifications for video games.

The report's author, Dr Tanya Byron, has also called for a new UK body to oversee children's internet safety.

The well-known psychologist was commissioned by the prime minister last year to report on concerns that electronic entertainment may be harming children.

Children's secretary Ed Balls and culture secretary Andy Burnham said the government accepted all her proposals and would "act immediately" to put them into practice.

At present, only games showing sex or gross violence require an age rating from the British Board of Film Classification, and fewer than two per cent carry an 18 certificate.

A new system could see every game aimed at children older than 12 given a rating similar to those awarded to films.

The report concluded that the online industry should take more responsibility for policing content posted to video and social networking sites.

It also backed new, independently-monitored codes of conduct for the industry, and a campaign to raise parents' awareness of the risk to children.

Burnham, who was at the launch of the report in London, said: "As Dr Byron points out, parents of my generation, who grew up in a purely analogue world, face real challenges in understanding the
new media world.

"This is a landmark report, setting out clearly for the first time how we can make sure that children can enjoy the benefits of new technology, while being protected from inappropriate material.

"I am committed to working with the internet and games industries to build on existing safeguards.

"Specifically, we will consult on a
more coherent classification system for video games.

"We want to empower young people and allow them to enjoy the educational, social
and entertainment potential of the digital age."