Parents, Not Government, Must Regulate Sale of Violent Video Games to Minors
COMMENTARY | The Supreme Court ruled Monday that it is unconstitutional for California to ban the sale of violent video games to minors. With a 7-2 vote, the Supreme Court has shifted the responsibility of regulating the sale of violent video games away from government and back onto parents, according to the Associated Press.
The ban on selling violent video games to minors which was overthrown allowed for an up to $1,000 fine to retailers. Now parents must decide what fines or punishments to put in place if their children come home with a video game depicting killing, maiming or sexual violence. In a shift of responsibility, now it is more likely that the minors will face consequences, instead of the retailers that sell the games.
The ban was thrown out because it violated the First and Fourteenth Amendment rights of children. Retailers now can sell these video games to interested customers regardless of age. That does not mean that parents must allow their children to purchase and play video games that do not conform to parental guidelines. The Supreme Court decision might make parenting a little more difficult at first, but it fosters personal responsibility.
Parents now have a choice on how to implement this decision. If they decide that their children should be allowed to own and play violent video games, there is no need for any action on the part of the parents. Parents who feel video games depicting killing, maiming, and sexual violence are not appropriate for their children have more work ahead of them.
The first step is to clearly communicate the rules to children. Even though it is not against the law for minors to purchase violent video games, explain that it is still against the rules of the house. Just because something is not illegal does not mean it is always OK. Secondly, communicate your rules to the friends of your children. This may not help you get points in the coolest parent contest, but clear communication of the rules and consequences help children make good decisions.
Finally, model the behavior you want to see in your children. When you play violent video games, it is implied to your children that there is nothing wrong with your actions. It is confusing to children and teens to see their parents engaged in the same behaviors from which they are banned. Remove any video games from the house that are not appropriate for the whole family and refrain from buying violent video games in the future.
Associated Press, Court: Calif can't ban violent video game sales, Yahoo! News
Published by Loki Morgan - Featured Contributor in Technology and Lifestyle
Loki Morgan is a Microsoft Certified Professional with over ten years experience in the Information Technology field including technical writing. Morgan has published online content with a focus on compute... View profile
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8 Comments
Post a Commentexcellent work
It is the parent's responsibility to decide if their children should purchase violent video games or not.
Parents need to take more responsibility. Good article.
IMHO it all all down to the parents and if the employee is worth his salt he will not sell the M rated game to a 13 year old. I was in Game Stop just the other day and a 13 year old went to purchase COD Black Ops for the PS3, the clerk immediately went to the boys mom and told her that they game was rated M for mature and that it was not suitable for her son. After a clip around the ear and telling off they left the store with no game.
I am sorry but it is not the governments place to be parenting for our children, maybe if we as parents spent more time watching what our kids are doing and as parents if we actually become interested in our kids we would know what they are doing and there would be no need for laws like this. Before we know it we will become like australia where all games that would be rated M here in the USA are banned completely. That would start to destroy the entire industry and would put thousands out of work.
I,m sorry, I did not make myself clear on this. Yes, I agree with you. It's up to the parents to make the decisions, but it will be harder for them because of this ruling.
Maybe at one time I would have agreed with this, but since there seems to be a lot of absent parents, I feel the court should decide!!!!
Good advice, although I am disappointed in the Court's ruling. cheers ;)
I agree