News

72% of US want violent games banned for minors, industry "poor"
Posted: 14.09.2010 14:06 by Simon Priest Comments: 30
A survey conducted by Common Sense Media quizzed 2,100 adults in the US and 72% want violent videogames illegal for minors to get hold of.

Half of survey group said the industry was "poor" in protecting minors from such games. This contradicts the ESRB's findings in an '09 report.

The 2009 ESA annual report found that 87 percent of parents were well aware of the ESRB ratings that come with videogames sold in the US and that 76 percent of parents checked the certification awarded a game before deciding whether to make a purchase.

It's still amazing that parents want something like 'violent games for minors banned' when all they need do is not buy them for little Jimmy, or confiscate them if he gets them bought for him - it's called parenting, though I'll double check my sources on that.

Before videogames it was movies and TV that corrupted our youth yet both are streamed into our society with incredibly lax oversight when compared to videogames. You know what should be banned for minors, or at least 18-rated? Religion - there I said it.
Source: Big Download

Comments

By Jasca_Ducato (SI Core) on Sep 14, 2010
Jasca_Ducato
Erm, isn't it illegal already? That's the whole point of the age rating system. As you said "It's still amazing that parents want something like 'violent games for minors banned' when all they need do is not buy them for little Jimmy, or confiscate them if he gets them bought for him - it's called parenting..."
By stuntkid (SI Elite) on Sep 14, 2010
stuntkid
Yeah, it's all about parenting.
By Azsinistar (SI Veteran Newbie) on Sep 14, 2010
Azsinistar
It may be all about parenting at home, and paying attention to what the kids play, but it is the industries responsibility to not sell the minor a game rated above their age without parental consent. Parents are not always with a child when a game is purchased.

I am not saying to ban anything, just that the industry does need to monitor who they sell which product too without a parent present.

They do this for magazines and movies already.
By Kres (SI Elite) on Sep 14, 2010
Kres
Will ESRB rating really prevent anybody from getting the game?
By Jasca_Ducato (SI Core) on Sep 14, 2010
Jasca_Ducato
Azsinistar, stores very rarely sell games to minros below the age requirement, unless they want a major fine imposed upon them. Nine times out of ten, parents are with the children when they buy a game.

The only time this is not the case, is when games are purchased online; even then, you need a credit card to purchase, which requires you to be 18.
By Wowerine (SI Elite) on Sep 14, 2010
Wowerine
How come guys behind the counter don't watch out who are they selling to... ccc I still want more blood in games. Maybe they should make butterflies fall out instead of blood?
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Sep 14, 2010
herodotus
^^Because the 'kids' behind the counter couldn't care less, Wow. I say ban the violent games for minors, definitley and ban Mic headsets for minors on CoD - little weazles.
Seriously, though it is up to the Parent to supervise all internet and gaming use by their children, which of course they predominantly don't or won't. Instead they leave it to Government bodies to act on their behalf (next financial crisis please) which is the usual cop-out of uneducated/uninterested parents. The ESRB and OFLC will never replace good parenting!
By Kornz (I just got here) on Sep 14, 2010
Kornz
I think you people are not getting the real point, 2100 people out of millions is a small number. Any game can really be considered violent, like Mario where you smash the turtles and such but any-who to the point, the industry cant be held responsible for "little jimmy" Buying the game as they have no control if the parent is with them or if the game is bought online/pirated. My main point is if you want a kid not to play a game, enforce it instead of ruining it for the rest with a ridiculous ban that probably wont pass.
By gramila888 (SI Newbie) on Sep 15, 2010
gramila888
Kornz, no offense to you. Mario is not a violent game, its not like blood and insides coming out of the turtles. Before you write, you have to understand what the issue is. Personally im ok with this issue, i was little and played MK2. Its about the kids that may take it too far, parents have to know that the best.
By Kres (SI Elite) on Sep 15, 2010
Kres
Well no body knows what's the 100% right way of doing this, because probably there isn't one. So it's just playing with rules, being on the safe side. If a game is rated M+ and gets public figures to protest against its gore, then that game will only have its popularity increased. And there's no way to prevent anybody from getting any game that he wants. You can always get somebody to buy the game for you. I'm not encouraging anybody to do that, but just stating the facts that are well known.

So rules on games are ridiculous and useless IMO. They're useful only for damaging game companies, especially in cases when the whole country blocks a legal access to the game.

I have a good case for this. I've played all sorts of games and kept my killings virtual. People that end up moving that to the real world are serial killer material in the first place absolutely.
By Mercy (SI Core) on Sep 15, 2010
Mercy
I'm a minor and I'm an A student because of these M games. So ya it's up to the parents not the law thats like getting mad at MickeyD because your fat your the one who keeps eating there. Not only that the street is a hell lot worse. Because most of the M games should be Teen like halo it's just M because of the market.

Hero how dare you say it should be banned. Tho I agree with the headset thing. It's all about "PARENTING" no need for the law. MY GOD is the US so stuck up I need to move to a better country.
This damn country is just making it harder and harder for the youth. It's starting to piss me off.
Games don't make you violent I mean I'm a freaking pacifist. I've been playing bloody games since I was 4.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Sep 15, 2010
herodotus
Mercy, I was having a go and got the response (HAHA). I was an avid listener to ACDC when I was younger and I never took a gun to school. My main concern is the internet filter being brought into Australia (the sites having been leaked already that will be banned). So many parents think it's a good thing because they can just walk away and not care what the kid's are up to, as the govt is doing it for them.
But the Govt isn't, and shouldn't.
By bosnian_dragon (SI Core) on Sep 15, 2010
bosnian_dragon
I find these articles more funny than serious. They can only complain against industry, but industry will never cease to advance because the money is at stake. Parents can only try to ban this, but there is just too much money involved in the gaming industry to stop releasing violent games. Parents have let their children become indifferent to blood already, through TV and movies, games are only what comes next. And religion isn't responsible for this either, Simon. The main problem are bad parents who don't control their own children. I'm 23 and I've played games since I was 10 and I've played video games like Half Life while I was a minor and I've never even thought of taking a crowbar and going berserk against my neighbors. When something like that happens, they immediatelly blame video games, but in fact, they're the only ones to blame. They let their children play the games and actually live the games. And mostly, kids who become violent after excessive gaming have some painful background, where their parents are also responsible. So, I don't think that anything should be banned, as long as people have choice. [ADMIN: COMMENT DELETED]
By Arrecoolast (SI Core) on Sep 15, 2010
Arrecoolast
Gays as in gay people? Why? What have they done against you?

People thinking video games are bad should read this. ^^
"Gamers make equally accurate decisions faster"
http://www.geekosystem.com/gamer-decisions/
By Wowerine (SI Elite) on Sep 15, 2010
Wowerine
[ADMIN: COMMENT DELETED]

Back on topic - There should only be an age restriction, nothing more than that. Everything else is the parents fault.
By Mercy (SI Core) on Sep 15, 2010
Mercy
Oh dear this is becoming a gay right or wrong fight I withdraw from the discussion.

See many parents use games as a scapegoat just so they don't take the blame. It's childish and shows they arn't mature. They most likely fear the fact that the youth is growing in intelligence now matter how much they say they want it.
By Kres (SI Elite) on Sep 15, 2010
Kres
If anybody have problems with gays, please keep it to yourself. This is not the right place to treat homophobia. Any further comments on the topic will result in deletion of the comment. Please lets stay on the actual topic. Thanks.
By lichlord (SI Core) on Sep 15, 2010
lichlord
[ADMIN: COMMENT DELETED: Not offensive but let's drop the topic please]

Ive been playing games since ive been 8 doesn't mean im go psychopathic or on a killing spree because i just love to shoot people on a "virtual world" get serious and think logical the gobverment shouldn't do the work of parents
By bosnian_dragon (SI Core) on Sep 15, 2010
bosnian_dragon
[ADMIN: COMMENT DELETED: Topic: 72% of US want violent games banned for minors, industry "poor"]
By hunter612 (SI Core) on Sep 15, 2010
hunter612
Lol exposure does help. Its not like those kids are going to suddenly stand violent content when they are at a certain age. I've been gaming since I was 10 and I don't find myself any more violent than the other kids out there.
By Mercy (SI Core) on Sep 15, 2010
Mercy
Hunter not all the kids out there are friendly. That or I just see the worst in people.

Admin delete LOL! Thx for that.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Sep 15, 2010
herodotus
Play nice Mercy.
By Mercy (SI Core) on Sep 16, 2010
Mercy
What do you mean Hero?(Small kid hands me money) are you implying that I beat on people. I may not be so nice to bullys and such but I stand up for the little guy. The discussion has changed back to the News. If parents are so worried do something. I hate bestanders that watch something they don't like and do nothing. Stop asking for someone eles to do something DON"T BUY THE GAME FOR THEM! And to the people working I'm always asked my age and for my ID.
By FoolWolf (SI Elite) on Sep 16, 2010
FoolWolf
Well i have been playing loads of violent games in my days - but honestly, on the C64 violent wasn't that "graphic" nor did my parents leave me alone in front of the TV but kept bugging me about what I saw and told me what was real and not rather early.
I like many others believe that parents must take a greater part in their kids lives and interests - not only when it comes to gaming but in all the kids/youths interests. It is not OK to say that they skip out because they don't "understand" - that's a responsibility you agree to when you have children, to show support, care and understanding. Do I believe in tougher age systems, more banning material - no - that will only make it more interesting or in the end it will dumb down games.
I do however believe that shops shouldn't get away with selling games that is marked 15/18 to kids that hardly reach over the counter - that should be a crime! Today it already is in some ways since most games comes with the EULA (OK, devils advocate here) and it is illegal to sell or enter legal documents with minors in most countries so that makes teh entire deal a huge lawbreaker anyways....
No seriously - use common sense - let the age be like movies - if you are under - you need parents agreement and parents need to understand that 18+ means that it is not good for your 10 year old to play!
If the parent doesn't get that - then that kid most likely have a more direct problem then gaming!
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Sep 16, 2010
herodotus
I agree with you Wolfy. What was missing in graphics in the early days was more than made up for in imagination. How I remeber a game looking from the early '90's bares no resemblance to how it actually looked. Then again, what about toy sopldiers. How many of us kids used to play in real sandbox battlefield environments with fireworks blowing apart our plastic soldiers and detonating lovingly built tanks?

@Mercy
I was referring to the Admin delete. Fair's fair and all's good. I heartily agree with what you are saying...just wish this phrase would catch on:

"It is your right to be a parent. It is the child's right to be parented".
- SI_Herodotus, 2010
By Mercy (SI Core) on Sep 16, 2010
Mercy
Think of it I remember my dad doing a whole no M games for a straight 3 years one time. Just to see how would act. I can say I may know more about the mind then him.

hero:
I most likely would have known that hero if I wasn't so tired I woke up on the keyboard this morning.
By hunter612 (SI Core) on Sep 16, 2010
hunter612
Lol its still pretty foolish to ban games. I just don't get it, taboo = more temptation!!
By Eversor (SI Elite) on Sep 16, 2010
Eversor
This seems to be a pretty controversial subject for everyone. You don't need to ban M rated games, but require there sale to be restricted like the sale of tobacco products.
By lichlord (SI Core) on Sep 17, 2010
lichlord
yea pretty much the shop owner has to ask your pass to see you age n stuff i still don't think children gets violent because they play an FPS or something its a common thing with Emos who they think are scuicidal

if you ban the games more people will start pirating
By Mercy (SI Core) on Sep 25, 2010
Mercy
Plus games like halo are only M for the market.