The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced today that Sony would implement parental controls in its forthcoming machine, PlayStation 3.

The announcement was made by ESA President Doug Lowenstein who commended the PlayStation 3 console manufacturers for voluntarily implementing the parental control technology.

For PlayStation 2, parental controls will extend only to movies and not to games. Sony was not immediately prepared to comment reports iht.com.

The video game industry has been under attack from parents and watchdog groups - especially in the wake of this year's scandal involving hidden adult content in the popular Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

Microsoft placed parental controls in its Xbox 360, which went on sale last week. The machine lets users restrict access to video games and DVDs that carry certain ratings, such as T for teenager or M for mature. It also offers parental controls on the company's Xbox Live online gaming service, limiting who their children can interact with.

This month, Nintendo announced similar plans for its next-generation machine, Revolution, scheduled for 2006.