Supreme Court Declares Sale of Violent Games to Kids Constitutional
"And we will all pay in spades..."
In a 7-2 (pwn3d) decision, the Supreme Court struck down California's law prohibiting the sale of violent video games to minors. For those of you not living in the state of California, or any of the other 9 states, you probably had no idea about the law they passed in 2005 which fined retailers up to $1000 dollars for selling violent video games.
Joan Bertin of the National Coalition Against Censorship had this middle finger of a statement to give to add as an icing on the cake to the nay-sayers who think children should be playing less violent/fun games.
The courts have always understood that discussions and depictions of violence in art, literature, film, theater have a great deal of value. It would be impossible to draw a line between good violence and bad violence.
All laws regarding sales of violent video games have been blocked, and now our children will finally be able to develop into the "Clockwork Orange" future we originally planned for them.
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All joking aside I believe this is a great ruling. Video games are clearly art and should have the same protections and liberties as other art.
That said it is up to parents to know what content is appropriate for their children. In the same way you would not give a troubled child a set of knives to play with. You should not be giving already troubled children violent games. (or movies & tv shows)
Every responsible parent should be reading the contents of the game they are about to give to their kid. I have friends with young boys ages 8-12 and they are very aware of game ratings. And some do let their kids play M rated games only after playing the game themselves.
So a law punishing retailers for selling M rated video games to minors is the wrong solution. Parents need to be aware of what they are purchasing for their children / allowing them to purchase.
In fact parents should be watching their kids play and see how it effect their behavior.
I believe the larger issue is desensativity to violence in general in All our media.
-Mazer-