Annenberg Classroom - Speak Outs - Should government be allowed to forbid the sale of violent video games to minors?

Speak Outs

Speak Out

Should government be allowed to forbid the sale of violent video games to minors?

UPDATE: The Supreme Court ruled on June 27, 2011, that the state of California could not ban minors from purchasing violent video games and that the state law was unconstitutional.

Nov. 2, 2011

If you are under 18 and a fan of violent video games like Grand Theft Auto, you might have to wait a little longer before you can buy your own copy of a new release. The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments for Schwarzenegger vs. Entertainment Merchants Association, which will determine if a California law that forbids the sale of violent video games to anyone under 18 is constitutional.

Before the Supreme Court makes its ruling, it will review decisions in similar cases and apply them to its opinion. In Schwarzenegger vs. Entertainment Merchants Association, the court will most likely look at Ginsberg v. New York, a freedom of speech case that determined that states can limit minors’ access to sexually explicit materials that they cannot constitutionally ban for adults.

The state of California argues that minors lack the ability to make a reasoned choice, and the law reinforces the parents’ authority to prevent their children from playing violent video games. The 2005 law, signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger but blocked by court orders, would prevent the sale of any game that lacks any serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. Video games deemed violent would be regulated more like adult films than regular films showing at the multiplex.

Using a two-part argument, California says that it is not violating the freedom of expression protected by the First Amendment. First, it argues, violent video games are not considered protected speech. Second, lawyers for the state argue that legislatures can regulate materials deemed inappropriate for minors because of the precedent set in the 1968 Supreme Court case Ginsberg v. New York.

The video game industry is crying foul and says it also represent the parents’ interest. “There is no reason to think parents need California’s ‘assistance’ in deciding which expression is worthwhile for their children,” said Paul Smith, the lawyer representing the Entertainment Merchants Association.

The industry further argues that the lower courts have ruled in the favor of the video game industry, striking down the law on First Amendment grounds. The industry contends that video games are a modern form of artistic expression, like movies, television shows, and even works of literature.

Last, the video game industry says that it already created a rating system that is adequate in warning parents of video content. It argues that the system is much like the current rating system of movies, which has gone uncontested for years.

What do you think?

Should government be allowed forbid the sale of violent video games to minors? Are violent video games lacking any artistic merit or are they modern forms of artistic expression? Who should have the final say in deciding which video games a minor can play? The government, the parents, or the minor? Join the discussion and let us know what you think!

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Comments

5/10/2012
Porterville/ CA

Minerva
Smith/Monache
No, mostly because the government shouldn’t be involved in the video game industry. If they want to stop the sales of violent video games to minors then go to the parents to get the job done. In my belief I put responsibility to the parent; it’s their child they should take the role of telling them what they can play or watch and what they can’t. The government needs to stop in trying to put the blame in video games and start looking at where they get their permission from.

5/7/2012
Porterville/CA

Mario
Smith/Monache
I believe that the government should be forbidden. Like cigarettes and pornography, there should be a minimum age in order to receive and item, this including video games. Children are easily influenced by other things, a simple concept of "monkey see, monkey do". I've seen many children of my neighborhood re-enact scenes from violent video games which ultimately leads to someone getting hurt, yet they repeat the game. In addition to this lack on intelligence present in children, video games should actions which should not be perceived at such a young age such killing and robbery.

3/30/2012
Toppenish,WA

Jesus P.
Kirkwood Elementary
I think minors don't lack the ability to make a reasoned choice , but at the same time i think minors like me should be able to buy rated M since i love the Call of Duty series i've played and own all of them including Modern Warfare 3 so please don't ban violent video games sales to minors :D

3/29/2012
Toppenish

Jesus P.
Kirkwood Elementary
I don't think the government should be allowed to forbid the sales of violent video games to minors 'cause some games have an option to block bad words and/or blood. Video games are modern forms of artistic expression and they inspire tons of kids such as myself to make video games when they grow up. The minor should have the final say on what game they want to play. I love video games and i'm a game freak so please do not forbid violent video games!

3/22/2012
Gary,Indiana

Takeia
21st century charter school
I think that government shou ldnt be allowed to forbid the sale of violent video games to minors . Thanks a lot

3/22/2012
gary indiana

yihara
21st century charter school
thanks this really helped me out expecally on my debate

2/10/2012
Illinois

Tristan
A Middle School
The government should not be allowed to limit what a minor should buy. It is their decision to buy it or not. Besides, some video games inform people of history. The Call of Duty and Assassin's Creed Franchises are prime examples of this.

2/1/2012
Payson Az

Michael
Payson High School
I am a republican myself i think that it is the parents who should watch over there kids. I mean come on if there is a murder and they have Call Of Duty in possesion the prosocutor is immediatly able to use it as evedence with no reason even if it did not affect the person

12/11/2011
Montgomery, Texas

Robyn
Montgomery High School
Violent video games are made for a purpose. People who find them entertaining, enjoyable and exciting buy them for those particular reasons. If parents are willing to condone these games within their house, that is up to them. Minors who want to purchase them should know what their parents expect of them. Minors are mature enough to decide whether or not they should play these games. If such a law is passed, they aren’t permitting minors to buy violent video games. This does not mean that they are not able to play them. Some minors might want a specific game so bad they might find someone to buy it for them. The government shouldn’t be concerned about what hobbies minors have and start being concerned about something larger, the deficit.

11/7/2011
Oakland, NJ

Alex
Mrs. Crowley/Barnstable Academy
I believe that the government has no place to step in with the ESRB. They have bigger things to worry about such as fixing the economy. Also, why do they need do regulate video games? That's a parents job! Being a 12 year old that plays rated M games I do not realize why the games are so bad. I played Call of Duty for so long and realized I could get the same amount of psychological de-sensitizing through the news. Also I have been recently been limiting myself to games such as Batman: Arkham City and Minecraft. I find it offensive that the government thinks that when you turn 18 you all of a sudden have an instant blast of maturity.

10/19/2011
Sidney, MT

Taylor
Mr. Fualhaber
I do not think the government should be allowed to forbid the sale of violent video games to minors. The parents of the minors should have the decision to either let their kids play violent video games or not. The government could argue that violent video games affect kids in negative ways like making them prone to violent behavior. I would not say that games make a huge difference in a kids behavior but more likley what they experience on a day to day basis.

1/17/2011

Jessica A
Bradley/Nimitz High School, Irving, TX
Should government be allowed to forbid the sale of violent video games to minors? It should be up to the parents to decide whether or not their children are mature enough to play violent video games, not the government. Parents should monitor the games they buy for their children and not cry foul if they accidentally buy their kid a violent video game. There are rating labels on video games for a reason: E is for everybody while M is for a mature. Not only does the rating label help prevent minors from buying violent video games, but also the fact that some stores like Game Stop card anyone who wants to buy a rated M video game. Governments, while they have good intentions, should not be allowed to forbid the sale of violent video games to minors because if they do that, they will have to forbid minors from watching violent movies because both project violence to young malleable minds. How would Schwarzenegger feel if the government treated his Terminator films like XXX films?

1/12/2011

Parker H.
Bradley/Nimitz HS, Irving, TX
I don't think the government should be allowed to forbid the sale of violent video games to minors. That is definitely something that should be regulated by stores and parents alike, but for the government to do that would be similar to the case (I'm not sure of the name) in which a human cannonball took a news station to court for broadcasting freely a performance that people were paying to see live. In the same way that this was directly threatening the human cannonball's wellbeing by taking away his income, this could indirectly hurt video game store sales, endangering the livelihoods of everyone from the CEO of the company to the employees. Honestly, as a minor who is in-the-know when it comes to video games, I can almost guarantee that most of the people who buy those games are in fact minors, not 21+ year old men and women who actually have lives to be lived.

1/11/2011

Benjamin Alexander
Bradley, Nimitz, irving, tx
I think violent video games should be regulated like movies since the games are nothing more than entertainment lacking any artistic or educational value. The government should have the final like the do with movies because parents often don't understand and care about what there children see especially in video games. The young mind is very prone to being molded by games so the should be allowed to minors.

1/10/2011

Andres
Bradley/Nimitz, Dallas, Tx
I'm not really sure if this is a state law in Texas or it's just a store regulation, but whenever I try to buy a video game, the store clerk needs proof that I am above 18 so I just ask my parents to show the clerk their consent and I get the video game. I've been playing violent video games since I was 7 and the only effect could be that I have "cat-like" reflexes now. Okay I may not have that either, but violent games shouldn't be regulated by laws. I agree with the company that it is the parent's decision and that a rating system is already in use, which sort of makes it like television regulation. Yes, certain shows aren't for minors, but depending on how close you are to being an adult affects if you watch the show or not. It's the same with video games, I don't want to playing a game to be among my list of rights, privileges, and responsibilities that I receive when I turn 18. It actually sounds quite ridiculous now that I think about it. "Congrats, you can now pretend you're killing people, oh there's a war now you're drafted." Maybe I balk at this because I play these games...a lot, but games were just a part of my child hood, another adventure in each disc! Though not all games can be considered "fine art", in today's modern society, our art sort of resembles random spots of paint, so it's hard to judge a video game based on it's artistic value.

12/21/2010

Derek
SHS, Sidney, Mt
No government should not be able to ban violent games to minors. the government should be worrying about way more important things than whether or not 16 year olds should be at home playing gta.

12/5/2010

Monica A.
Bradley/ Nimitz High School, Irving, Tx.
The sale of violent games to minors is similar to giving that child a loaded gun. If the child begins to think that killing other human beings in a game is fine, then it may be only a matter of time before he/she uses that logic in real life. I do believe that there should be more restrictions on the sale of violent video game to minors, because video games are an influential part of our children's lives, artistic or not. If the parent of a child believes that their kid should be allowed to play the game, then the parent should buy it for their child. Most parents in my opinion do not want their children playing violent video games but they feel that they cannot control what their child is exposed to, so by having these restriction they have that control back.

11/17/2010

skyler hardy
sidney high school, sidney montana
yes i think they should be able to forbid them to minor cause they could be affected by the voilence and they nudity some games have they are to graphic for younger kids

11/16/2010

Rihana
Sidney High School, Sidney, MT
No I think government should not be allowed to forbid the sale of violent video games to minors. The minors parents should be the ones regulating what their child plays and watches. If they forbid it they should also forbid the watching of the TV shows and movies that are violent because it is the sames idea.

11/16/2010

Cody K
sidney high school, sidney montana
I dont think it should matter if minors are able to pay violent video games. there parents should ragulate what they buy. plus there is already an age restriction on buy games.

11/16/2010

zack b.
sidney high school, sidney mt
I think they should not ban violent video games to minors because there is a good rating system out there allready. Plus the minors cant purchase video games from certain stores because they ask for your age. Anotherthing there is other reasons kids are violent it is not always the games but it could be the way they are raised.

11/16/2010

Ryan M.
sidney high school, sidney, MT
I think it's a waste of time for the government to worry about this. It's something that the parents should worry about not the parents.

11/16/2010

Nathaniel
Sidney High School, Sidney, MT
I think the government shouldn't be able to prohibit the sale of violent video games to minors. It's the parent's decision on whether or not the child should have that type of content in their household. I feel that it's an excuse to get out of the responsibility the parent has. If the parent doesn't want the child to play it, then they can tell them.

11/15/2010

BreAnne Buxbaum
Mr. Faulhaber, Sidney, Mt.
I do not think that banning violent video games will do anything beneficial to the United States. Our government should have more things to worry about, like all of the troops we have in other countries, rather than banning video games. A 15 year old child will recieve the video game he/she desires regardless of whether they are allowed to buy it themselves, or whether they have a older friend, or family member do it for them. The things they see on a video game is not going to be anything new to them anyways.

11/15/2010

Airika
Sidney Highschool, Sidney MT
no, i think violent video games shouldn't be banned , its there intrests and if there parents allow that its thier buisness

11/15/2010

Krissa
Sidney High School, Sidney, MT
I think the government should have that right. They already ban pornography until the age of eighteen and some video games do have very revealing things in them so it's not much of a difference. In a way it should be the parent's decision but some parents may not know the content of the games their kids are playing.

11/15/2010

Megan
Sidney High School, Sidney, MT
I think that the government should be able to forbid the sale of violent video games to minors because their minds are not yet mature enough to handle to content of these types of games.

11/15/2010

Krissy H
Sidney High School, Sidney, MT
I dont think the government should forbid the sale of video games. the game companies put suitable ratings on their games. after that is should be up to a parent if the game is "acceptable" or not.

11/15/2010

Colin B.
Sidney High School, Sidney, Montana
I dont think violent videogames should be forbid to minors because every game has a rating and their parents should be in control of what videogames they play so its on the parents on how the videogame affects the kid.

11/15/2010

Ryan J
Sidney HS, Sidney Mt
I think that they should not be able to forbid because if a kid wanted to play it and they really hink the game is gonna cause violence they are wrong. No matter what its gonna happen, we already live in a worl full of violence.

11/15/2010

Cole
Sidney High School, Sidney MT
You should be allowed to buy the video games that you want at any age if your parents are ok with it. There is a rating system on every game so that the parent can see whats in the game and whats it about. Kids and there parents should be allowed to make these decisions on the what game they should and should not be able to play.

11/15/2010

cody
Sidney High, Sidney MT
I think that the government should be able to forbid the sale of violent video games to minors because kids are very influenced by video games. although parents should control their kids and tell them no, i was a minor once and us kids have our own way to sneak things without our parents knowing. adding government bans is just an extra protection for parents to keep an eye on their childeren.

11/15/2010

Kyle
Sidney High School, Montana
Government should not get involved with video games, at all. There is already an ESRB rating for videogames. Not only that but parents should keep an eye on what games their child plays, not the government

11/15/2010

Andrew
Sidney High, Sidney
i think no. im not sayin i support kids and violent video games but i think it should be up to the parents to regulate what he/she plays at home. if the parent doesnt care let them cuz if the parent has a problem with it the parent will limit what the kid has.

11/15/2010

Joey Escobedo
Sidney High School, Sidney, MT
I Think the Government has worse things to worry about then violent video games. But if the kid wants it that he will beg his parents like i did when i was younger.

11/15/2010

Bryan
Mr. Faulaber, Sidney MT
I think that the goverment should not have a say at all about this problem. It should be all up to the parents of the kids. I dont think the goverment can single out and detrmine who is mature enough to play these vidio games.

11/15/2010

Tim F.
Mr. Faulhaber/Sidney High School, Sidney,MT
I think it is totally up to the parents to decide whats best for their child, NOT the gov,t.

11/15/2010

Landon
Sidney High, MT
i don't believe the government should be allowed to forbed the sale of violent video games to minors because the games presently have ratings for the content of the game, and describe what is mature, if anything at all. the decision should be left up to parents, because the parents should be looking out for the best interests of their children.

11/15/2010

Alex
Sidney High School, Sidney, MT
I dont think that video games should be forbid to minors because you can't compare a video game to pornography or tabacco products. Its just a game it should be up to the parents and kids on what games they can and can't play.

11/15/2010

Grant
Sidney High School, Sidney, MT
No, because the kids could just go get their parents to buy it or just go get a person who is old enough to buy the game for them. Its the parents decision to tell their kids what they can play and can't play not the governments job.

11/15/2010

Randy
SHS, Sidney,MT
No, its really not a huge deal. It dont hurt a kid to play vioent games because they get to do stuff they cant in life. besides that point its up to the parents to get them the games if it really comes down to it.

11/15/2010

Tyler
Sidney High School, Sidney MT
I dont think the government should be the ones to tell what video games minors can play and cant play. That job should be up to the parents. The video game already has warnings on them so its not like a parent doesnt have a clue what their child is playing.

11/15/2010

Brooke
Sidney High School, Sidney, MT
I don't think that the government should be allowed to forbid the sale of violent video games to minors becuase i personally think that it gives the government more power than it already has. Also i think that the government has bigger issues to worry about rather than weather or not to ban violent video games. Plus, if parents are that worried about their children playing violent video games, they should take the responsibility and not let their kids play them its that simple.

11/15/2010

Scotty
Sidney High School, Sidney, Mt
I dont think they should because more people would get introuble for stealing it since there not 18, and they would still get it somehow if its through parents or friends or strangers asking them to go buy it for them with that persons money

11/15/2010

Elizabeth
Sidney High School, Sidney MT
I don't think that the government should be allowed to forbid the sale of violent video games to minors. The video game industry has a rating system for games. Who then would be deciding what is a violent game and what isnt. If they did this with games what is to stop them from violent music.

11/15/2010

Kian
Sidney High School, Sidney Mt
I think the government should forbid the sale of violent video games to minors because its probably not the best for the kid, im not sure if violent video games mess with minors brains or not but if they really want them then the parents can buy them and at least the parents would know what they are buying.

11/15/2010

Brady
Sidney High School, Sidney, MT
I think it should be fine for under aged people to buy any video games they wan. Just because they do stuff on a game doesn't mean their gonna do it in real life.

11/15/2010

Patrick Haraldson
Sidney HS, Sidney MT
Even if they are forbidden people who are of age, will buy for them. This quote from Brennan Gorder, from Sidney MT "People will just buy for them just like everything else." Bottomline is that it should be up to the parents, if they want their kids to play them then they will buy it for them and if they dont they wont.

11/15/2010

Gamet (Heaven)
Faulhaber/SHS, Disney/MT
I would compare video game rating to movie rating and say that the same concepts should be applied. Sure, movies are more graphic, but video games give a more involved feeling, so I think the two counted each other out. What is deemed "age inappropriate" for one group should be for the other as well. That said, however, I do think the limits are far too strict--I watched movies with gore, cursing, and rape when I was eight, and I'm still functional (at least I think I am--suppose I'd think the same if I wasn't though). I do think the age limits should be lowered. Honestly though, it would be cool if a lot of those so-called violent video games were illegal to kids my age. 'Cause I dunno, it just ticks me off when they talk about 'em. We just have totally different interests, I guess. Besides, that's more of what I'd like than it is what I think /should/ happen, and when you ask yourself what should happen, "The answer that you come up with can't just be right for you. It has to be one that works best for everybody. You and your friends, and everyone else." And if they were illegal and I did have my way, I bet we'd just have an underground game sales sort of situation going on, and how ridiculous would it be to have police busting kids for that? There are much worse problems they should focus on. So . . . kinda rambled there, so lemme repeat: the age rules should correspond to movie rules, but should be lowered.

11/15/2010

Brooke
Sidney High School, Sidney,Mt
I dont think that the government should be allowed to forbid minors the sale of violent video games because its should the parents job to protect their child and if they want their child to be playing the vidoe game or not. Its really the parents choice, but it is just like letting your child want violent movies and tv shows. Violence is every where if the government takes video games away from minors than they a4re just going to go find it somewhere else anyways.

11/15/2010

Brennan
Sidney High School, Sidney, Mt.
I think it should be up to the parents to decide what there kids should be playing. What is going to stop the kid from actually playing it, kids will just have people buy it for them.

11/15/2010

Andi
Sidney High School, Sidney, MT
I do not think the government should be allowed to forbid the sale of violent video games to minors. The rating system video games have already cover that as it is. It warns parents of content and also sets a limit on the ages that can personally buy it. Anyone under 17 cannot buy said rated games without a parent present and their consent. Also, if a parent agrees to the underaged child buying the video game, what is the problem? The government shouldn't really have a part in this. It is the parent's job to know what their children are playing and buying.

11/15/2010

Kayla
Sidney High School, Sidney, MT
Government shouldn't be allowed to forbid the sale of violent video games. If the parents are allowing the kids to play them then they should be able to buy them. It shouldn't be up to the government on this issue because the parents might just start buying them if the kids can't so nothing would really change. I think this is one subject the government really shouldn't be concerned with. The games have ratings so the kids and parents know what's in them.

11/15/2010

Will
Sidney High School, Sidney, Montana
There are parental labels on the product. Once again we have the tipical stupid American who doesn't think things through, and in the end when there kids screw up they think that they can sue the company for their bad decisions. You have something in front of you but you are too ignorant to see it. There isn't anthing more the government to do, or do you thinh that going to R-rated movies are bad? PARENTS, WATCH YOUR KIDS!!!

11/15/2010

Derek
shs, Sidney.mt
Why would the gov't be able to? people who commit crimes arent doing it because they played a game of grand theft auto.

11/11/2010

Kyle T.
Bradley/Nimitz, Irving, Tx
I don't think that this should be a big issue that the government should be worried about. The video games are already rated as it is and tell what content is contained in the game. I believe that if there's any complaints, it's from the parents. If the parents don't like their children playing violent video games, then they should filter these things within their house and pay attention to whats going on. so ultimately, it should come down to the parents monitoring their child's video games, not the government.

11/11/2010

Jaime
Bradley/Nimitz High, Irving, TX
The government should not forbid the sale of violent video games to minors. Its up to the parents to decide if they want their children seeing such violence in the first place. The first amendment protects the video game industry because in our time, this is art. Granted it may not be the ideal picture but it is still a form. The government shouldn't even consider this a case due to the fact that its protected by the first amendment. Minors also have the responsibility to tell their parents whats in the game they want.

11/11/2010

Ivan
Mrs. Bradley, Irving
I think selling violent games to minors is not a big deal. Just by playing violent games someone does not become violent. Video games relieves people from stress. If the minors can handle playing the video games without turning bad and if their parents allows them to play it, then the government should not say anything about it.

11/11/2010

tehodora
Bradley/Nimitz, Irving, Texas
thee a law that limitz the type of games that could be sold by these entertainment industries. The sale of violent games should be forbidden to minors but not under age of eighteen i think that the age should be under the age of sixteen and ther should be a warning before every parent decides to buy his or her kid a game and know what effects the game would have on their children. I also think that government can't tell parents what to buy or not to buy but can Take action if this affects the community. It is up to the parents not government to decide what is good or bad for their kids parents should be smart enough to know what is not good for their kids and well informed about the consecuences that this video games would have on the kids growth.

11/11/2010

Chris
Bradley/Nimitz, Irving/ TX
Like the rest have said, I also do not think that this particular issue is important enough for government involvement. When it comes down to it, it is the responsibility of the parents to not only supervise what video games their child is playing, but also over see what games they are buying in the first place. The ratings put on the covers of the video games are a fair enough warning to the public of what age group it falls in. Yes, the games are not the best message for our minors but that is all up to the parents to decide. In our society, the act and images of violence are becoming some sort of entertainment for the gaming industry. If the government were to be involved with this, then they might as well ban the selling of violent movies as well. It all has the same effect. Parents monitor the movies that their children watch, so why not the games they play? It's ridiculous to even think about the government being involved in a matter like this. The responsibility is all with the parents.

11/11/2010

Karina
Nimitz HS, Irving, TX
I think that the government should not forbid the sales, because either way, kids are going to play it. If it's such a bother to the parens, the game itself has a description of what it's all about. So, the buyer ahead of time knows what it contains. It's not even that big of a deal, just because one plays the game, it does not mean they are going to become the next criminal or something.

11/10/2010

Jose M.
Bradley/Nimitz, Irving/Tx
I believe the government shouldn't make a huge deal about violent video games. Kids will always be kids. When I was a kid, I knew everything about violent video games were fake, I'm pretty sure almost every kid is going to think the same way as they get older, after all, the old generation when wars was going on was going through real violence while kids these nowadays are just playing video games. The government is trying to make a limit which he shouldn't, because the creators of the games worked very hard to make them granted by the first amendment. When children under 18 requires a parent to get these violent video games, i think thats enough, I think its the best system in my opinion. The parents know which decisions to make for their children to play violent video games, the government doesn't know anything.

11/10/2010

Uyen V.
Ms.Bradley, Nimitz High School, Irving, TX
Just to start off saying, I'm glad that the government is finally seeing how bad violent games are given or bought by minors is a serious situation. But the government shouldn't take the time to try to ban violent video games to minors. The government themselves shouldn't be responsible on making sure that EVERY minor doesn't have a single violent game, but it's up to the parents. The government could ban selling violent games to minors, but what if the kid wanting to buy Call of Duty, Left 4 Dead, or even Assassin's Creed, then somehow convince their parents to buy it, then the problem would rise up again. Parents are the ones that have knowledge of what their children buy and they're the ones that are buying the product. Since every single game has age limits (like T for Teens, E for everybody, M for mature, etc.) so parents would have to know what their kids are buying now in days.

11/10/2010

Joselyn C.
Bradley/Nimitz High School, Irving,TX
I personally think that the government should be allowed to forbid the sale of violent video games to minors. If we have rated R movies that require minors to show identification, then why not have it for video games? Video games are just as violent,if not more, than movies, so I really believe that the government should forbid the sale to minors. I believe most of the time parents don't really care what video games their kids are playing, or maybe they do, but they don't do anything about it. Since parents are not realizing the damage violent video games are doing to their kids, then I think that if the government made a law forbidding the sale to minors, then maybe,just maybe, they would listen. It would make them realize that it's really disturbing for their kids to be introduced to violence at such a young age. On the other hand, I'm asking myself this question: Is our government controlling us more day by day? Is it gaining too much control over our lives? I mean if we think about it, it does sound a bit controlling doesn't it? Government telling parents what to buy their kids? For now, all I know is that if the government forbids the sale of violent video game to minors than maybe our kids would not grow up seeing/hearing violence everywhere.

11/9/2010

Chanh
Bradley/Nimitz, Irving, TX
The government shouldn’t be allowed to forbid the sale of violent video games. Doing so would be forbidding the creators and the people that worked so hard to create that game’s freedom granted by the first amendment. I think that everything is a form of expression of artistic value and to rate something as having less merit than something else isn’t right. In the end, the parents are the ones responsible for the minor until they are of age and thus they should be the ones to control what their children are playing. Considering that parents are responsible for everything the child does until they are 18, this is no different and shouldn’t be treated any differently and shouldn’t be made into such a big deal.

11/9/2010

Leticia C.
nimitz hs, irving
In my opinion the government should forbid the sale of violent games to minors. Many minors are already violent and themselves, and by having violent video games,the violence would increase. Most parents would be in favor of this to take place. The promotion of violence is not a good thing to do with the youth. The minors are easily influenced and entertainment with violent video games, is not the best idea. Many minors love this kind of violent games mostly because of all the advertisement and since their own friends may have violent video games.

11/7/2010

Nate
Mrs. Winter, Schuylerville
The argument that minors lack the ability to make a "reasoned choice" is absolutely ridiculous. Children know that the actions being performed in Grand Theft Auto are generally frowned upon in real life. This law is definitely unconstitutional, whether or not the country frowns upon it. Isn't it the right of companies to release the games they wish to,and the job of the rating companies to decide which age group it is acceptable for?

11/7/2010

Jovan
Bradley/Nimitz High School, Irving,TX
I don't think the Government should get into this matter. There are more important issues out there than kids playing violent video games. I believe that the parents who are complaining about this issue are the really strict parents. These video games are already under the ESRB rating system. This prevents certain age kids from buying games that are inappropriate for them. This system is perfect good enough in my opinion. I think the decision is ultimately the parents' because they are the ones who control what happens in their house hold. If they don't want their kids playing a certain game then they can control that. Raising the age wont do any good. Kids will always find someone to buy it for them. It won't be hard for them to get a hold of that game they want. At the end of the day, not every kid is at the same maturity level, the parents are the ones who know what types of video games will be appropriate for their kids not the government.

11/6/2010

Amber
Ms. Helen Bradley, Nimitz High School, Irving, TX
Someone please explain to me how playing viloent video games relates to the freedom of speech. That would be pretty difficult considering there is no relationship between the two. Now the government seems to always want the "best" for society - the most reasonable, the most neccesary - but what are its limits? What can it control and set restrictions to? Well, does violent video game consent fall under what it can control? Most people that have taken part in this Speak Out believe the government should not interfere with the gaming industry, but leave the choice up to minor's parents. I say, make it illegal. But whether the sale of violent video games to children under the age of 17 is made illegal or not, the final choice will "always" be up to the parents. However, those children under 17 who don't respect their parents rules will do as the please with the money they have. By making the sale illegal, it will be harder for those children to get the violent games, unless of course, their parents buy the gamesfor them. Making the sale of violent video games to minors would be just like the laws about needing to be 17 to watch an R-rated movie, being 18 to buy cigarrettes, and being 21 to buy alcohol. The laws only try to protect young, naive kids from exposing themselves to things that could either ruin their innocence and/or expose them to things that they are too immature to handle. I would much rather hear my four year old cousin say, "I love you, you love me," rather than hear him say, "Steal that car! Run over him Punch that old lady in the face!"

11/6/2010

Quintin
Bradley/Nimitz High, Irving, TX
Now I know everyone is expecting another mad teenager ranting and raving about how silly of an idea this is, and, well, I'm not going to surprise you. This does seem like a rather silly idea. Why 18? A nationally recognized rating company doesn't have an “18 and older” category, just a “17 and older” one. So why make it harder for 17 year-olds who can play the games to buy the games. That's kinda like saying “Oh! You don't have to be 21 to drink beer so why can't we buy it before then.” Simple: beer doesn't cause who knows how many deaths a year. Yeah, some studies might say that violent games cause violent children but psychologist have been having a hard time proving that one. Now as to whether or not government can prevent us from buying things: well the federal gov. definitely can't unless it crosses state lines and states definitely can because of the 10th amendment. But if you don't want your state to mistreat you like this, vote new people into office. Problem solved (oh if only it were that simple...)

11/5/2010

Jay L
Sostack/Elizabethtown Area Sch, Elizabethtown/PA
I think the violent video games like Grand Theft Auto or one of the many influences such as Halo that are leading to more violence in rural and suburban areas and will continue this trend if these type of video games are prohibited.

11/5/2010

David
Mr. Rimas, Watertown
I think its up to the parents to let their kids play violent games or not.

11/5/2010

Lancelot
Ms. Bradley/ Nimitz, Irving/TX
The argument posited by the gaming industry should not even be regarded. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) already has in place the guidelines for which parents and gamers should abide by. The bottom line is that parents will buy their kids games for their children however they want. If he/she does not get the game from their parent, and want it, even if they are under the age restriction, chances are, he/she will still find a way to obtain that game reasonably fast, whether through friends, older siblings, etc. Therefore, the Entertainment Merchants Association should not be quibbling over this frivolous infringement on potential extra sales. The only real fuel behind their argument is not dealing with constitutional rights, but with pure monetary greed and gluttony.

11/5/2010

Roberta
Mr. Rimas, Watertown
No i think its wrong to forbid the sale of violent video games to minors

11/4/2010

Sebastian
Schuylerville Central School, Schuylerville, NY
I agree with Alex D because the rating system has already been put in place by the proper authorities. I don't think the government should be able to decide what people can and cannot buy. Violent video games do not create the violence and corruption in people anyway. If Grand Theft Auto causes someone to go on a massive spree of slaughter and destruction, then there was already a problem to begin with. Simple as that.

11/4/2010

Brett
Mr. Remus, Ma
the government has no right to ban video games from kids no matter how violent. It is up to the parents. passing this law would be giving way too much power to the government. Neither State nor Federal Government has the right to micro manage people's lives'. Also by passing this law the government is basically saying that minor's have are not equal to adults and that minors have less rights. This is outrageous because minors are people and should have the same rights as adults

11/4/2010

Peter
Watertown High School, Watertown, MA
The Video Game industry uses the ESRB ratings which in my opinion are pretty accurate in determining the ratings of most video games currently out on the market. I am not sure why the state of California wants to ban violent video games to minors under 18. I would back it if the law said kids 17 and under were prohibited from buying video games. Movies that are rated R can be seen with seen by kids that are 17. The laws for video games should be consistent with the ratings for movies.

11/4/2010

Spencer
Mr Remis/ Watertown High, Watertown,MA
If this were to be a passed law, it surely would decrease the sales of games in most stores that do distribute them, due to the fact that the majority of games are rated E (everyone) and T (teen). It is true that being exposed to such violence such as Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty, or any shooter game, fills the gamers head with guns, murder, sexual themes, and language. If not all, then killing. Although I do play games with these violent themes, I am under 18 at the moment, and most games I purchase require a parent and/or guardian. which brings me to this conclusion. Even though it might limit kids the right to purchase video games under age 18, they WILL get there parents to purchase it for them despite the ratings. As stated in the story "It says the government should not be the one deciding something that should be left to parents". It does leave the responsibility in the hands of the parents, but with this Law in tact it would give parents the sense that their children are not buying games without their consent. This is the point of the Law, which I believe, should be enforced in order to prevent possible incidents inside of school, and out.

11/4/2010

Shane Fitzgerald
Mr Rimas, Watertown
It's stupid law and you should be able to join the conversation

11/4/2010

tyler
mr rimas, waterown MA
this law sucks schwarznegger is an actor who shouldn't be in politics and every movie he's been in promotes violence so that makes him a hypocrite

11/4/2010

Alex
Rimas, MA
No, videogames don't make people commit violent acts. People must have issues if they are even thinking about doing something violent. And it is an awful excuse to blame it on videogames.

11/4/2010

Ken
Mr. Remis/Watertown High, Watertown,MA
Violent games can be considered as an art/expression. Forbidding violent games is same as forbidding freedom of speech. The government should not be allowed to forbid the sales of violent video games to minors. Violent video games is not lacking any artistic merit or modern form of artistic expression because its just another way to express a violent idea. for example, An artwork that portrays violence is the same as a game portraying artwork. If we ban video game sales, we might as well ban ALL OF TELEVISION, since what is the difference between watching violence on TV and playing it on videogames? Its just another way to express ideas through gaming. Agreeing with the video game industry, I don't think there is any need to be controlling what is shown to minorities. The parents should have the final say of what can their own minors can play. This is because parents know their own children the best so they should have the most power in what is allowed and not allowed to be exposed to their children.

11/4/2010

Eddie
Mr. Remis/Watertown High, Watertown,MA
No I think its wrong to forbid the sale of violent video games to minors.

11/4/2010

Alex
Mr. Rimas, Watertown, MA
I think that the law is stupid because you already have to be 17 to get an M rated game any way so that's just stupid and redundant to make that a law

11/4/2010

Michelle, Katie, and Nicole
Rimas, Watertown
We think that banning video games is DUMB! Children who aren't old enough to be playing violent games really aren't going to be in the store alone buying them in the first place. Therefore, it is up to the parent's to decide what is appropriate for their kids. Schwarzenegger is an actor in mostly violent movies so he is a HYPOCRITE for saying this. BOOYAA :)

11/4/2010

Ani V
Rimas/Watertown High, Watertown MA
I dont agree with the idea to make a law about preventing kids under 18 from buying video games. Like others have stated in previous comments, on the the actual games it states the rating, M, T, 17+, etc. If you dont want your kids to buy violent video games, look at the rating before you let them buy it. If you let them buy it on their own, then youre giving them the right to buy whatever they want. its the parents decision what kids are exposed to. Even if theres a law, whos to say that they could ask someone older to buy the game for them? And Schwarzenegger should be the last person to talk - he acts in violent movies himself, and is known for his role in the terminator movies. It makes him a hypocrite. This law should not pass, because it is unnecessary.

11/4/2010

Anthony F.
Rimas/ Watertown High School, Watertown/ MA
I do not agree with this law at all. I feel that the current system of purchase (games rated “M” must be purchased by someone 17+ years of age) is sufficient. I have been denied sales of games rated “M” several times before I turned 17, so this law is practiced as it is supposed to be. Kids that play these games under this age are obviously obtaining them through their parents. If not, their parents know they are playing them. I feel that even if a game is rated “T”, but contains violence, it should not need to be purchased by an adult. Video game graphics today are realistic, but someone 13+ years of age is well aware that what they are doing in a video game is not real. I also feel that if this law passes, it will lead to a chain of enacting strict purchase requirements on many other products. People will feel that they can pass many other ridiculous laws based on this one situation and everyone will start abusing the system.

11/4/2010

Riwaj
Rimas, MA
Our American culture is suffocated with violence. The rate of people killing people is sky high, and the rate people owning gun is ridiculously high too. I strongly believe that this nation should take at least some measures to stop the exponential growth of this social disease. If there is at least some scientific proof to show that kids are actually influenced by violent video games and TV shows, then I believe that this law is not only constitutional, but actually a necessity. So I wholeheartedly support Schwarzenegger in this. Go Arnold!

11/4/2010

Nicole
Mr. Rimas, Watertown MA
I think California should be able to ban sales of video games to kids. Rated R movies are the same or less inappropriate for children. if a parent wants to buy their kid a violent game then that is their choice but I don't think it is necessary for kids to be able to buy them on their own.

11/4/2010

Ana
Mr. Rimas/WHS, Watertown,MA
What's the point of a rating system if there are no restrictions in sale? video games may be a form of expression but the violence and graphic content in many of them are not adequate for minors, or for any of us in that case.

11/4/2010

Marissa B
Rimas/WHS, MA
I see the point that is being raised: that kids under 18 can not make good choices and not play these violent games. Some people believe that violence in video games is influencing the youth of America, and causing them to be violent in real life. If the parents could moniter the games that these kids are playing, it would keep violence to a minimum. In my opinion, I don't think that this would be a good law, because I think kids who really want to play these games would find ways to get them anyway. Also, many parents probably would buy the games for the kids without knowing much about the games.

11/4/2010

Grace
Mr. Rimas/WHS, Watertown
I do not agree with this law. I believe it should be up to the parents to chose whether of not their kids can play with violent video games. If parents do not want their kids playing violent video games they should prevent them. But government should not be the one who restricts it.

11/4/2010

Diana
Mr. Rimas/Watertown High School, Watertown, MA
I do not agree with Schwarzenegger because I believe that people should be able to buy any video games they please. Government should not forbid the sale of violent video games to minors because parents should decide whether or not their children can play with those types of games.

11/4/2010

Duyphuc
Nimitz High School/Bradley, Irving, TX
The government shouldn't have the right to ban video games, not because there is not good reason to ban the video games but because of the consequences that can result from banning those video games. Not selling the games to minors does not mean the minors won't play the game, Not selling them to minors doesn't mean the minors won't get the game. It would not be difficult for minors to get the games illegally or to ask someone else to buy the games for them even if their parents won't allow it. The questions on whether it is unconstitutional matters but the real question is will the law even make a difference. Minors will get the game no matter what. How does the government stop the minors from buying the game online from let's say Amazon.com or Ebay. Even if they could stop them, how hard is it for minors to lie about their name and age and through that get the game. Even if state laws could enforce the game, could those laws be applied to interstate transactions from outside the state. Why waste time forming a legislation that won't have a major impact.

11/4/2010

Jannette A.
Ms.Bradley/Nimitz High School, Irving, Texas
I personally think that parents and or gamers are responsible for their own actions so I don't think the government needs to ban the selling of these games to minors. Like a novel to an author,video games are to the designers that make them. It's their own unique form of expression. It's can also gives some more confidence to some people. In one case, there was a comic book author who was inspired by violent entertainment that was shy and had a low self esteem, but after reading The Hulk, he had more confidence with himself. I'm not saying that video games have a harmless effect, I'm just saying that different people take their influence in different ways. Parents could have a say on that decision, but if they try to protect them too much, then they're just protecting them from their children's power and selfhood instead of the violent video games.

11/4/2010

Mackenzie
Nimitz High School, Irving, TX
I don't feel that violent video games are as a big of a problem as say, alcohol and drugs. More minors are consuming these products, that have a greater affect on them, than violent video games. I don't feel like this is an issue of importance. If these games were banned it would be causing an unnecessary problem. Minors would easily start getting elders to buy them these violent games and the so called “issue” would not be solved. I don't even understand what would be solved by taking away these games. Parents may feel that the games influence their children to be violent, but mostly they should take a look in the mirror, the pattern to be violent can be genetic. Parenting can also cause the child to be influenced to do certain things, the way children act is mostly due to the parents. Also I feel the video game companies have a point that this is mostly reflecting the parents opinions and not the consumers themselves. The parents that want these games to be banned are the over-protective parents whose kid will end up being the wild child in college. I think having more restrictions at such a young age causes more problems at an older age, when things actually matter.

11/3/2010

Alx D.
Nimitz High School / Helen Bradley, Irving, Texas
The game’s already use the ESRB rating system to warn parents about the game’s content before purchase. I believe that this system is very accurate in determining what age group the game is appropriate for. Games rated “M” are the equivalence of rated “R” movies, and sales of these games are restricted to those under the age of 17. I believe that the rating system alone is enough of a prevention to keep violent games away from those who should not be using them. Most games that involve upper level violence, are rated “T” for teens, where children over the age of 13 can buy and play them. Before that, it’s really up to the parents consent of who actually plays it. I think that they should enforce the teen rating so that the violence is kept away from younger children. However, getting rid of violence in the games would not be beneficiary if there is still equal violence available on the television. Some violent games, still have some very artistic settings and story lines, they just may not be clear to some younger children. I think the problem is that, people have heard or seen some bad scenes from Grant Theft Auto and generalized these scenarios onto all violent games. Overall, it shouldn’t be the governments choice to ban a group of games from a group of people. I think that the parents know their children better than the government, and it should be under their discretion what games that they will be able to play.

11/3/2010

Jena
Bradley/Nimitz High School, Irving, TX
Video game restrictions should be left up to the states. Yes, the video game industry does have its own system like the movies, but that doesn't necessarily mean anyone follows it. No one has a secret microphone inside every game store listening to see if the store owners actually ask if the kid is old enough to buy a game. It's revenue, so I'm pretty sure they'd just sell the game. Even then, the children could get their older sibling or older friend to buy the game for them. And let's be serious here, how many parents REALLY look at the games kids are buying and playing and telling them “you can't play that?” Little to none. Violent games lack any artistic meaning to it anyways. Yes, there was artists involved in designing the game, but past that, there's nothing to it. Violent games cause violence in most kids. This is artistic, how? But all in all, the California government should be able to restrict the age on which violent games are purchased. This will cause the kids to have to ask their parents to buy the games for them and then more censorship in smaller kids lives will be added. Which, I think, will most likely improve American society by some incriment.

11/3/2010

Giselle
Bradley/ Nimitz, Irving, Texas
I personally think that the government should be able to have a say in the sale of violent video games to minors. Violent video games do have an affect on children even most of them don't notice it. Although I do not think that is should be up to the government to decide what video games minors play. Either way the kids are going to find around the law to get what they want, there's always the option of asking a friend or family member over the age of 18 to buy them a certain video game. The government isn't going to be able to stop every minor from playing violent video games, so it should be left to someone who has more control over what their kids do and don't do, thus the parents.