I think it is necessary in order for individuals to understand the consequences of actions. So yes, I think it is absolute necessary.
That being said, there needs to be better parental controls in place starting at the point of sale. All individuals who buy mature content need to be carded, if they do not meet the age requirement then no sale. Likewise, if Johnny Doe Jr. comes in with his mother, then the employee selling the content needs to give a detailed description that the medium contains heavy drug use, heavy use of profanity, sex scenes, gratuituous violence and on until she can make an informed decision whether this content is appropriate for a child her son's age.
Absent stricter parental controls, I believe artistic integrity will face a huge backlash from decent-minded folk who don't want to expose their children to the depravities of adult life at a formative age.
I am not saying this because I believe in raising my kids in a household where the only acceptable channels are cartoons, the Bible Network, and Fox News with the only acceptable music being Will Smith and Christian music. I don't believe in any of that.
The innocence of childhood is a very sacred thing to me. Kids are exposed everday to human depravity in schools via their cliques, bullies, teachers, and yard narcs. At home, they should feel safe from all those depravities without it invading their senses.
I will agree if a 12 to 17 year old shows the ability to separate fantasy from reality, then go ahead and buy them Red Dead Redemption. Any younger, I think the parent is negligent at best and is doping up while Johnny plays whatever he wants to keep him out of their hair while they are high at worst.
In the end, it is up to the parent. There is no way that Government can raise our kids or keep our kids out of trouble. There aren't enough tax dollars for a police force sizeable enough to bust every kid breaking curfew.
