After a long day of political correctness, having my parking spot stolen and everyone driving me crazy, I like to go home and carjack some fools. Yes, “Grand Theft Auto Vice City” is one of my favorite games.
This game is used as an example of violent games by the courts. Lately it seems that these games and others deemed ‘violent’ by children’s organizations and the media are being targeted more frequently as wrong. I’ll be the first to agree that these games are not for children; just read the stamp on the box. By the same token, these games should not be forced to undergo content censorship to make them suitable for the children for which they were never intended.
The U.S. courts say video games are a protected form of expression under the First Amendment. Case after case says that we have the right to play them and developers have the right to make them no matter how violent these games.
So why are people pushing for bans and censorship of some video games?
The lack of parental supervision that allows children to play video games rated 18+ or M for mature is generating new litigation and media coverage. Crimes that children mimic from video games are being portrayed as the fault of the game developers, producers, marketers and retailers rather than the parents that allowed their children to purchase and play the games.
Why does the subject material of games matter if they are not meant for children?
There are pictures of naked people in pornography magazines. These are not censored to cater to children because, you guessed it, they were not meant for children.
I know there are people out there right now saying that children will see the games at a friend’s house or will get them anyway. The games in question cost between $30-$50. How many 12-year-olds do you know with jobs? If they happen to have the money to purchase games, parents should watch what their children purchase.
Washington State passed legislation last year limiting the sale of video games that depict violence against police and firefighters. They imposed a fine of $250 on the retailers of these games for indiscretions. The 7th Circuit Court agreed that this legislation was constitutional. In other words, the children of Washington were more important that the First Amendment rights of the game developers.
The 8th Circuit Court reversed the ruling not long after in June 2003, saying that to justify a restriction on video games, the challengers must present empirical evidence that “violent” video games cause psychological harm to minors.
There are new studies coming out of the University of Pennsylvania showing that violent video games do cause harm to kindergarten age children. The preliminary reports indicate that the data will concur with the Pennsylvania study. This leaves the video game industry open to scrutiny and regulation by the public and the courts.
The 2004 Super Bowl incident with Janet Jackson is to television what these reports will be to the video game industry. After the infamous halftime show, there was a cry for the government to do something. The response was more regulations governing content and live television.
This example shows that if enough people object to something the government will respond by creating regulations to govern the industry. Reports of increased “violence” in children who play violent games will no doubt cause enough of a stir to merit regulation attempts.
Those making the complaints and pushing for legislation are arguing that “violent” games are detrimental to young children. They may very well be. However, they, are not intended for an audience of children.
The people complaining need to realize that:
* If they are a parent, it is in their control to stop their children from playing games they object to. Grow a spine.
* Games have come a long way since “Pong” and “Pac-Man.” While they started out as a children’s toy, the industry as a whole is moving in the direction of adult entertainment.
* Games made for children say so on the box, the others are not appropriate for children.
Acting out violent actions in video games can be a form of education that provides moral insight and fosters emotional growth. By undergoing this catharsis, complete with adrenaline highs and lows, the game serves as purification through pity, fear and anger.
These games do they incite the average person to cause harm to others when used as prescribed by their intended audience. Therefore, they are free of fault and should remain unregulated and uncensored as a form of expression by their creators and their patrons. Let the kids play “The Little Mermaid II: Pinball Frenzy” and leave the carjacking to me.
Adrienne Howse is a junior communication major. She can be reached at [email protected].