You know how politicians love to trot out hyped up “evidence” that violent games can make kids into violent savages? Well, now two Congressmen want that specious claim on the back of every violent video game box.
Congressmen Frank Wolf (R-VA) and Joe Baca (D-Rialto, CA) have introduced the “Video Game Health Labeling Act of 2011,” which would require any video game the Entertainment Software Ratings Board deems violent to sport the following disclaimer:
WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior.
Baca has issued a press release about the bill:
“The video game industry has a responsibility to parents, families, and to consumers – to inform them of the potentially damaging content that is often found in their products,” said Rep. Baca. “They have repeatedly failed to live up to this responsibility. Meanwhile research continues to show a proven link between playing violent games and increased aggression in young people. American families deserve to know the truth about these potentially dangerous products.”
Now, if you thinking you would’ve heard about the mind-blowing news story of someone actually finding a link between violent games and actual violent behavior, you’re right. You probably would have. In the press release Baca points to “recent scientific studies from the Pediatrics Journal, University of Indiana, University of Missouri, and Michigan State University” as pointing to “a neurological link between playing violent video games and aggressive behavior in children and teenagers.” But Baca and Wolf are just trotting out the same inconclusive evidence parents groups have been pointing to for years.
Besides, doesn’t he realize that adding more warning labels to video games only makes them look cooler to kids?
[Gamepolitics via Crunchgear]
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I’m okay with this as long as they reword the warning to say, “WARNING: playing violent games will make you cool like snakes.”
I guess the kids in the Middle East play a lot more videogames than American kids do.
I agree with him. Parents are incapable of raising their children so the government should do it for them. Stalin, hitler, and kim jong il would agree with me. children today are out of control. the government needs to step in and get them inline. some sort of correctional or concentration camp may be in order. parents brought this on themselves.
Plus, this warning will also help me decide which games i want to buy and which games are sissy’s.
Also, these much more aggresive children may be out of shape, but they have VERY STRONG THUMBS!!
It’s amazing that they were able to find a “scientific study” from the “University of Indiana,” which, last time I checked, doesn’t exist.