1UP
If Congressman Joe Baca gets his way, videogames might one day carry warning labels on their packaging akin to the Surgeon General's Warning we see on cigarettes in the United States. Baca, a Democrat serving as a U.S. Representative for California's 43rd district, has reintroduced the Video Game Health Labeling Act by referring the bill to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
The legislation's text is not currently available on the Library of Congress website, as the referral was just made yesterday by Baca and cosponsor Frank Wolf, a Representative from Virginia. GamePolitics reports that, were it successful, a label would be required on all games rated Teen and above by the ESRB which would read, "WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior."
Where does that assertion come from? Baca points to "scientific studies from the Pediatrics Journal, University of Indiana, University of Missouri, and Michigan State University" which indicate a "neurological link between playing violent video games and aggressive behavior in children and teenagers."
There have indeed been several studies which have claimed something along those lines, but there have also been numerous studies that suggest the exact opposite. Gamasutra notes a recent review by the Australian government which was summed up by Federal Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O'Connor when he said, "Evidence about the effect of violent computer games on the aggression displayed by those who play them is inconclusive."
The bill's cosponsor, Frank Wolf, said in a statement, "Just as we warn smokers of the health consequences of tobacco, we should warn parents -- and children -- about the growing scientific evidence demonstrating a relationship between violent video games and violent behavior. As a parent and grandparent, I think it is important people know everything they can about the extremely violent nature of some of these games."
Baca also spoke out on the bill. He said, "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, and am hopeful this legislation can work to stop the growing influence of violent media on America's children and youth."
This isn't the first time that Representative Baca has pushed this agenda. He introduced similar legislation along with Wolf in January 2009 which never made it out of committee. Were that to happen again, there would not be any opportunity for the Republican-controlled House of Representatives to ever vote on the bill.
http://www.1up.com/news/videogames-cigarette-like-warning-labels
