Being a part of the Video Game Voter's Network, I'm trying to keep up to date on Anti-Gaming/Stricter Gaming legislature that's been circulating the nation. There was a number of great defeats of proposed bills that would put excessive sanctions on both game publishing, and game selling. The latest reported victory was against proposal HB 353 of Utah. As a gamer, I feel that we all need to stand together and demand to be represented properly. This includes those who run our gaming sites; those who sell games; and ESPECIALLY our Federal representatives. So it comes as a depressing "shock" to hear that state representative (A Democratic one, no less [usually the Republicans are up in arms]) Joe Baca is sponsoring bill H.R. 231 H.R. 231 proposes that all games rated T and up (That's T for Teen, up to M for Mature [There exists only 13 AO--Adult Only--games; but they are never sold]) will be required to come with the following label. I am quoting this VERBATIM:"Warning! Excessive exposure to violent video games and violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior."
Not only is this intrusive, but it's fallacious and misleading. This kind of label serves to prove that those in "power" have absolutely no concept of the psychological effects of playing video games. I'll mention that many "vulgar" CDs (music) do come with the "Warning: Parental Advisory - Explicit Language" sticker; but guess what? Those are actually OPTIONAL. Record companies don't HAVE to put them on; but do so to protect their assets (- t). So to impose a MANDATORY label, that's not only incorrect and ignorant, is simply... wrong. I'll explain why: Studies have been done on the effects of video games ever since video games began their in-home runs. Studies such as this one by Dr. Helen Philips; and this one by Drs. Craig A. Anderson and Brad J. Bushman, have linked aggression and desensitivity to violence, to video games. But other studies and research articles say otherwise! Such as this one from Dr. Mark Griffiths; or this entire BOOK by Drs. Lawrence Kutner and Cheryl Olsen; or this report from the ASA by Dr. Johnathan Freedman.
So, if there's no DEFINITE proof that games are harmful; and if the data being received is so deeply conflicted; wouldn't that mean that by proposing what 231 does is essentially MISLEADING? YES! Absolutely it is.
It's hard enough being a gamer; seeing as we're all stigmatised as being lazy, brainless, childish addicts... but to further try to isolate the gamer culture from society through the implementation of faulty warnings? That doesn't sit too well with me; and obviously not with others.
But the opinion of the label proposal isn't what matters so much as the FACTUAL aspect. Here's more food for thought:
- Since 2001, there have been numerous regulations that have cited video game statutes being presented were unconstitutional. Examples can be found here, here, here, and here.
- The FTC released a study finding that 20% of minors were able to purchase an M rated game without adult supervision. This number is down from the 42% from 2007! So putting extra regulations on an already successful self-regulating system would be redundant, and wrong.
- Not only is the label misleading in terms of psychological effects, but there are MUSIC games that are rated T. So that would mean they would carry the same label as Grand Theft Auto; or MadWorld. This would mislead parents into thinking the music game could harm their child.
In the end, it's a decision that proves one thing: Games don't need more legislature. Games don't need more restrictions. And Federal representatives, need to do more research.
Other supporters of the bill are:
-Thomas Edwards (D, TX-17)
-Fortney Stark (D, CA-13)
-Frank Wolf (R, VA-10)
Comments (3)
Whoa! That quote is garbage, is that even legal? Sure, say that there is violent content, but you can't go assuming the effect it will have.
Uuuughhhh. Democrats...supposedly the ones who aren't the morality police. I mean, really? Excessive exposure to the United States House of Representatives has been linked to severe forms of idiocy, too, but we don't label members of Congress. This is more "Won't somebody please think of the children!!". I am one of the children and it's my dad's job to think of me, not Joe Baca.
Haha, wasn't Dr. Lawrence Kutner a character on House?
Impressive post. I sure learned a lot today - and - I don't even own any games. You sure have a commanding way of getting a point across and this was a very informative post. Even though I'm not a gamer, it's good to see someone that knows what's going on standing up for their rights.
Good stuff man.