Gamertell

If you thought listening to the disclaimers at the end of a commercial for medicine or reading the warning labels on the side of a cigarette pack is funny, then get a load of this.

I read the report posted on CNet by Don Reisinger which indicates that on January 7, 2009, Joe Baca, a democratic representative of California, introduced the H.R.231: The Video Game Health Labeling Act of 2009 bill to 111th Congress requesting to make it mandatory that video games that have received a rating for violence to display the following warning:

WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior.

I thought it was funny. At first. Then again, (according to a report card published by the Nation Institute on Media and Family in 2008) if we can’t get parents to read the labels that are already displayed on the packages now, how would this be any different?

According to the bill which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, that it should be made a Consumer Product Safety Commission Regulation that:

(a) Regulation—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Consumer Product Safety Commission shall promulgate regulations to require the warning label described in subsection (b) to be placed on the packaging of any video game that is rated T (Teen) or higher by the Electronics Software Ratings Board.

(b) Warning Label Content—The warning label required under a regulation issued under subsection (a) shall be placed in a clear and conspicuous location on the packaging of the applicable video game and shall state: `WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior.’

(c) Video Game Defined—As used in this Act the term `video game’ means any product, whether distributed electronically or through a tangible device, consisting of data, programs routines, instructions, applications, symbolic languages, or similar electronic information (collectively referred to as `software’) that controls the operation of a computer or telecommunication device and that enables a user to interact with a computer controlled virtual environment for entertainment purposes.

Again I ask, if we can’t even get parents to read the labels already on the package how will this make a difference? In the end it would only be another annoyance on the box, further shrinking the description of the game on the back.

There’s no real solid proof according to various studies and reports we’ve read about in various publications or on television last year about violent media being accessible to children. Most of the findings were inconclusive and neither side could provide any hard evidence as to whether games did or did not cause violent behavior in children. So the battle wages on.

In the May 15, 2008 edition of Science Daily Patrick Kierkegaard of the University of Essex, England, reported in his findings that real violence and violent behavior in children have actually decreased since the introduction of video game consoles. But its still inconclusive so why would Baca want to post a questionable statement on the label?

It’s even funnier how Baca explains his reasoning behind this bill found in Reisinger’s article and on the White House’s government website.

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 ... 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,” Baca wrote on the government website. “We must hold the video game industry accountable and do everything in our power to ensure parents are aware of the detrimental effects that violent games can have before making decisions on which games are appropriate for their children to play. I am proud to introduce the Video Game Health Labeling Act of 2009, and am hopeful my legislation can work to stop the growing influence of violent media on America’s children and youth.

The Videogame Voter’s Network is already on the move asking gamers who visit the website to help fight this bill by writing their congressman and expressing their concerns:

Take just a moment to write your elected representative and introduce yourself as a constituent who cares about video games and First Amendment rights. Congress needs to know that parental education about video games should be the real priority, not government regulation. Every judge overseeing a video game regulation case has recognized that the First Amendment protects video games just like any other media,” read the VVN homepage. “Concerns over protecting children should be handled by educating parents about the video game ratings system and parental controls in console systems. Let Congress know that the video game industry is more than just entertainment. In these times of national economic challenges, the video game industry is an important economic contributor and leader in innovation.

Filling out and e-mailing the letter to your congressman is free but to check on the status of your mail and the progress of the project you have to register and log in. Just visit the videogame voters network site at http://www.videogamevoters.org/ and click on the 111th Congress photo to write your letter, there’s a sample letter already there but you are free to write whatever you wish.

On OpenCongress where you can view the progress of the bill, as you can see its still in the process of obtaining votes for the bill. Those registered to the site can make their votes virtually and according to the page the bill already received eight nayes and zero ayes. You can even watch the progress of the bill on your website with the widget provided. Three people have already left comments on the site. Whether they are gamers or not you can’t see that unless you register but they are in agreement that “How about we focus on how we might get parents to steer their children away from overly violent video games. Not a joke, the Congress shouldn’t feel obliged to raise every child in the US.”

I must say I totally agree with that statement and its awesome that there are outlets now giving gamers a voice to fight back either through VVN, your congressman or other sites offering assistance its our right to defend what we love.

Read [CNet] Also Read [HR 231 Bill Proposal] Also Read [Nation Institute on Media and Family 2008 Report Card] Site [White House website] Site [Open Congress] Site [Videogame Voters Network]