WHAT’S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT AND WHAT SHOULD I DO?
This section relates specifically to violent video games, as all currently
and recently proposed legislation is about video games.
THE ISSUE:
Children are playing violent video games.
v
Video game sales in 2003 were $7.1 billion, with 1/3 of the
games sold rated “M” (Mature).
v
40% of persons playing “M” rated games are under 18.
v 92% of children ages 2-17 play video games, with boys from 8-18 playing an average of 40 minutes/day.[1]
Research has shown that playing of violent video games can cause
an increase in violent behavior and other mental health problems.
v
Games rated both “M” for mature and “AO” for adults only contain
violence that is considered excessive by many mental health professionals[2]. Most of these games are “first-person
shooter” meaning the player is doing the shooting, and contain extreme amounts
of violence, with much of the violence targeted against women (often
prostitutes) and racial minorities.
v For more research information visit our link to Other Resources.
THE LEGISLATION:
v
Since 2000 at least thirty states, the District of Columbia, the
v These laws have passed in Washington State, California, Michigan, Illinois, Indianapolis, St. Louis, and North Miami, Florida.
v The Entertainment Software Association successfully challenged the laws in Indiana, Missouri, Washington, Illinois and Michigan. North Miami withdrew their law after the successful court challenge in Washington. No decision has yet been made to the California law.
THE COURT DECISIONS:
v
Indianapolis: The US 7th
Circuit Court of Appeals declared the City of Indianapolis Law Unconstitutional
on First Amendment Issues.
v
St. Louis County: The legislation
was upheld by the US District Court, Eastern Division, Missouri, but overturned
by the Court of Appeals on First Amendment Issues.
v Washington State: The legislation was overturned in July 2004, by the Western Division Federal Court.
WHAT DOES THE FIRST AMENDMENT SAY?
When the constitution was written the only kind of “speech” was
political speech. It is given full
protection. “Commercial speech”, or
“corporate speech” is given wide protection as well. However, if a government body (such as the
State of Washington) can prove that harm is being caused to children by this
speech, the games can be restricted. As
more and more studies confirm that harm is being caused, the proof will become
easier. Violent games could also be
restricted if they were to be placed in the “obscene” category, as pornography
is.[4]
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:
v
Check the legislation in your state to
see if legislation has been introduced.
v
Write your legislators in support of legislation
limiting access of minors to violent video games. Click here for a sample
letter.
v
Write to your US Representative as well, as legislation has also
been introduced at a Federal level.
Want to do more?
v Contact your local church, PTA, neighborhood and community groups and encourage them to write letters as well. The Child-Responsible Media Campaign can provide information packets for you to distribute that are focused on your particular state, and in some cases can arrange a speaker.
v Become a member of Child-Responsible Media eNewsletter to keep abreast of the latest developments in our fight to protect our children.
v
We have lots more ideas….
As many as you have time for!
Drop us an email and
introduce yourself!