Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Congressman Joe Baca (waka waka) Pushes for Warnings About Violence In Games

Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto, CA.) introduced a bill called "The Video Game Health Labeling Act of 2011" which proposes to place a health warning (like we do with cigarettes) such as
WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior.
Either on the packaging or in the openings of games with some objective level of violence. Baca sites studies that have shown links between violent content and aggressive behavior in children and teenagers.

I honestly don't think something like this would pass, just because there are studies that show that there isn't a link between violent content in games and aggressive behavior as well, but if it did I would have to wonder why this warning isn't meant to be applied to all violent media. And, since this wouldn't affect my ability to play games or to let my future children play what I deem appropriate, it's isn't something I can get angry over.

What do you guys think about the situation?
Source

2 comments:

  1. I doubt it will pass, but I'm amazed at what these Congress people try to do(or not do) sometimes...

    I think the interesting thing is the "other violent media" part, which makes me wonder if this label would then be applied to movies as well...with, "Warning: Excessive exposure to violent movies and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior."

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  2. I'm guessing that is Joe Baca's plan. Concentrate on a hot-button issue like violence in games then when that's passed focus on getting the same thing applied to "other violent media".

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