The non-profit, family-centric organization known as Common Sense Media recently published the results of a nationwide poll conducted by Zogby International, which asked 2,100 parents about their stance on the contested California law that would ban the sale of "offensively violent" games to minors. According to a press release from the group, 72 percent of respondents support the ban, while 75 percent would "rate the video game industry negatively when it comes to how they protect kids from violent video games."
Said Common Sense Media founder James Steyer: "What we've learned from this poll is that parents want to be the ones who decide which games their kids play, not the video game industry."
Of course, the Supreme Court isn't ruling on who decides which games kids play. The court's ruling on whether First Amendment protections can be waived for games deemed by ... someone to be too violent, formalizing a policy already adopted by major retailers into a California state law. Parents, as far as we know, still have the final say over what media their kids are allowed to consume -- not the video game industry, the ESRB, Governor Schwarzenegger or even the Supreme Court.
Then again, when you support your position with videos like the one posted after the jump (the link to which was included in Common Sense's press release), we can understand why parents might lose the equanimity required to make that distinction.
Reader Comments (111)
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:19PM chromekreeper said
hopefully the courts will know its not about what people want, but what people have a right to.
Posted: Sep 14th 2010 12:04AM Juddyfresh said
@Nintari Cigarettes and alcohol are drugs. Pornography laws are a joke anyway since any kid can go to a porn site.
But there are no laws banning the sale of books, TV shows, movies, or any other form of media to the youth in America. This is an incredible double standard leveled only against the video game industry. Schwarzenegger didn't seem to mind having kids seeing his violent movies and making him into a millionaire.
There is no law forcing people to be 17 or with a guardian in order to see an R rated movie. It's a system the MPAA has established and nearly every movie theater abides by it. The same can be said of the ESRB and video game retailers. But once you make it into a law you get into very tricky first amendment issues over what the government can censor.
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But there are no laws banning the sale of books, TV shows, movies, or any other form of media to the youth in America. This is an incredible double standard leveled only against the video game industry. Schwarzenegger didn't seem to mind having kids seeing his violent movies and making him into a millionaire.
There is no law forcing people to be 17 or with a guardian in order to see an R rated movie. It's a system the MPAA has established and nearly every movie theater abides by it. The same can be said of the ESRB and video game retailers. But once you make it into a law you get into very tricky first amendment issues over what the government can censor.
Posted: Sep 14th 2010 12:14AM ShadowXIII said
@chromekreeper
...so that means 72% of parents.....can't parent.
....that is......*sad* and explains alot.
What a tremendous waste of money.
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...so that means 72% of parents.....can't parent.
....that is......*sad* and explains alot.
What a tremendous waste of money.
Posted: Sep 14th 2010 12:51AM thelolotov said
@Nintari
This law is pointless. All major video game retailers won't sell Mature games to minors anyway, being one, I know this very well, pisses my dad off, because he has to come in with me every time I go to GameStop.
Personally, I don't really care any more, because I buy all my games on Steam nowadays, and I'll be old enough to buy from GS, Wal-Mart, etc. in just a year or two.
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This law is pointless. All major video game retailers won't sell Mature games to minors anyway, being one, I know this very well, pisses my dad off, because he has to come in with me every time I go to GameStop.
Personally, I don't really care any more, because I buy all my games on Steam nowadays, and I'll be old enough to buy from GS, Wal-Mart, etc. in just a year or two.
Posted: Sep 14th 2010 6:03AM BananaBoat said
@KiraXD - Exactly. This is the most telling quote in the article in my opinion ""What we've learned from this poll is that parents want to be the ones who decide which games their kids play, not the video game industry.""
No, idiots. What you've learned (if your results are valid and unbiased) is that parents are lazy and would have the government censor video games instead of having to choose which games are appropriate for their children by themselves. How exactly does the video game industry decide which games your children are going to play? How is an M rated video game (ages 17+) designed for your child? Is it not your fault if they get their hands on it, just like it is your fault if they get their hands on R-rated movies?
People need to get off their asses and start parenting before their children get taken to "education camps" from ages 5-18 because parents have decided that they just can't be bothered anymore.
(Yes I know that isn't going to happen. I'm feeling hyperbolic today)
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No, idiots. What you've learned (if your results are valid and unbiased) is that parents are lazy and would have the government censor video games instead of having to choose which games are appropriate for their children by themselves. How exactly does the video game industry decide which games your children are going to play? How is an M rated video game (ages 17+) designed for your child? Is it not your fault if they get their hands on it, just like it is your fault if they get their hands on R-rated movies?
People need to get off their asses and start parenting before their children get taken to "education camps" from ages 5-18 because parents have decided that they just can't be bothered anymore.
(Yes I know that isn't going to happen. I'm feeling hyperbolic today)
Posted: Sep 14th 2010 3:48PM djenkins83 said
@chromekreeper
I don't understand what Cali. is trying to do here. Is there not already a law that states a rated M game can't be sold to a minor? Regardless of that or not it's the parents decision rather or not the minor is allowed to have the game, they ultimately have the buying power a 10 year old doesn't. Can a minor go into a rated R movie when accompanied by someone over 21? YES. Can someone over 17 buy a video game for a minor. YES. Why don't you read the agreement that everyone signs and oks when you sign up for XBox live, it says that you are of 21 years of age or older, yet I get small kids cussing at me left and right because the parents/guardians allow the kids to play just as they buy the games for them. Give it a break the horse is dead.
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I don't understand what Cali. is trying to do here. Is there not already a law that states a rated M game can't be sold to a minor? Regardless of that or not it's the parents decision rather or not the minor is allowed to have the game, they ultimately have the buying power a 10 year old doesn't. Can a minor go into a rated R movie when accompanied by someone over 21? YES. Can someone over 17 buy a video game for a minor. YES. Why don't you read the agreement that everyone signs and oks when you sign up for XBox live, it says that you are of 21 years of age or older, yet I get small kids cussing at me left and right because the parents/guardians allow the kids to play just as they buy the games for them. Give it a break the horse is dead.
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:22PM BrianH said
how many of those 2100 hundred people were coming out of church?
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:35PM tenacioustoaster said
@Wiizer I'm not catholic but I don't think the idea of confessionals is an excuse to sin and then go 'confess' and cancel it out.
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Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:37PM MystileArmor said
"I'm Catholic, so I can go to Confession after this"
You just grouped yourself into the douchebag-religious people with that statement, sir.
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You just grouped yourself into the douchebag-religious people with that statement, sir.
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:43PM MystileArmor said
@Wiizer
You did. He never said anything bad, you just assumed he was. What is it to you anyways? If he thinks religions suck, let him. If it works for you, isn't that all that matters??
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You did. He never said anything bad, you just assumed he was. What is it to you anyways? If he thinks religions suck, let him. If it works for you, isn't that all that matters??
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 11:16PM WiredKnight said
@BrianH
Yea. I mean what about all the non-parents in the area? What about all the other people who buy games? Why don't they care about what they think, any reason besides the fact that they would disagree?
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Yea. I mean what about all the non-parents in the area? What about all the other people who buy games? Why don't they care about what they think, any reason besides the fact that they would disagree?
Posted: Sep 14th 2010 2:22AM TheDarkWayne said
@BrianH You werent flaming religion but you knew what would happen. If you meant to say survey groups are to blame then you should say survey groups. You've been on the internet long enough to know what happens
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Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:27PM BrianH said
ok seriously, postal was a very messed up "game"
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:29PM enderjsv said
Yep, cause there's absolutely no way anyone could make a compilation of violence based on clips from movies, books, or even music. Definitely single out video games.
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:29PM DarknessBear said
I still don't get this law, if it was to pass it means most major retailers would stop carrying Mature rated games? That's what I've been hearing from the gaming community, but it doesn't make sense why they would do this - kids cannot buy Mature games in CA anyways.
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:46PM GuardianLegend said
@DarknessBear
No, the law would ban the sale of those games to minors. Says it right in the article.
I believe most game stores do not sell M and AO rated games to minors already. It's voluntary though, meaning that any game store could sell these games to minors and not face any legal punishment if they do so.
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No, the law would ban the sale of those games to minors. Says it right in the article.
I believe most game stores do not sell M and AO rated games to minors already. It's voluntary though, meaning that any game store could sell these games to minors and not face any legal punishment if they do so.
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 11:10PM DarknessBear said
@GuardianLegend
Yes I know what the law is. But I've heard big ordeals on how this is going to mess up gaming for everyone - and like you I don't really believe that. Remember the whole ordeal with the ESA trying to "help" fight against this law?
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Yes I know what the law is. But I've heard big ordeals on how this is going to mess up gaming for everyone - and like you I don't really believe that. Remember the whole ordeal with the ESA trying to "help" fight against this law?
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 11:30PM Colin said
@DarknessBear
AFAIK, the reason the game industry/community is up in arms about it is because there is the distinct possibility that the government will start regulating the system instead of the ESRB, or would begin to set stricter standards for the ESRB to follow.
Now... I think that's a bit far fetched, but I suppose it could happen. Otherwise I totally don't see the problem. It's just like movies/music/booze/smokes/porn/fireworks/etc...
Kids shouldn't have them.
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AFAIK, the reason the game industry/community is up in arms about it is because there is the distinct possibility that the government will start regulating the system instead of the ESRB, or would begin to set stricter standards for the ESRB to follow.
Now... I think that's a bit far fetched, but I suppose it could happen. Otherwise I totally don't see the problem. It's just like movies/music/booze/smokes/porn/fireworks/etc...
Kids shouldn't have them.
Posted: Sep 14th 2010 1:14AM DarknessBear said
@Colin Yea that's the reason. Because we don't want the government getting comfortable meddling around with our hobby.
Thanks for the info.
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Thanks for the info.
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:30PM Acosta02 said
This just in: people are lazy.
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:31PM enderjsv said
@megapixel
And the remaining 1 percent can't add.
And the remaining 1 percent can't add.
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:31PM DustbinK said
72% of parents in California would rather let someone else parent their children.
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:32PM MasterWolf said
Yawn...yet another story about this law.
At your neighborhood Gamestop:
Kid: do you have GTA IV
Employee: the game is rated M for mature, you need to have your parent with you
Kid gets his mom and employee explains how the game deals with killing cops, hookers etc.
Mom: Yeah thats fine ill take it anyways.
At your neighborhood Gamestop:
Kid: do you have GTA IV
Employee: the game is rated M for mature, you need to have your parent with you
Kid gets his mom and employee explains how the game deals with killing cops, hookers etc.
Mom: Yeah thats fine ill take it anyways.
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:54PM asojax said
@MasterWolf What Gamestop do you go to? Cause that's something that a independent company would do, i use to work for a small game shop and that was a typical response from parents after explaining what the game was about and how the rating system work. But i swear everytime i go in gamestop here in oregon "oh your 6? that's fine we just want your money anyway" Do i agree with this law they are trying to push? no not in the least, but at the same time there is a lax in how corporations manage the stores and make sure that the employees are not selling to minors...no matter what way this goes a lot of blame can be put on employees of game shops that aren't following common sense and not selling to minors. I would rather have an irate parent to deal with then be told what i can buy and can't buy, because of the government passing some stupid law.
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Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:34PM MasterWolf said
@ Dustbink 99.9999999999999999999999999% of parents let TV and the internet parent their kids.
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:44PM Themoreyouknow said
@MasterWolf
Oh the days of surfing Chatroulette, showing inappropriate content to kids, watching their gasps of shock and seeing them grab their parents to look at the screen.
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Oh the days of surfing Chatroulette, showing inappropriate content to kids, watching their gasps of shock and seeing them grab their parents to look at the screen.
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:34PM Koopaconn said
Isn't the point of the rating system to keep violent games out of kids hands? I'm really not sure the point of this. Blame the parent's ignorance, the store who sold the kid the game, but not the entire video game industry.
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:34PM BPMOmega XBL PSN Steam said
I'm fine with this. I don't think kids should have M rated games.
... Because it also means less screaming children on Xbox Live...
Seriously, though, it should be a ban on all adult media for children. No R-rated movies or music with the "parental advisory" label on it. Why just games?
The REAL answer to all of this is that it should be up to the parent what is appropriate for their child. Not every child handles things the same. And if the kid ends up being a screw up, then it's entirely the parents' fault, not the media industry's.
... Because it also means less screaming children on Xbox Live...
Seriously, though, it should be a ban on all adult media for children. No R-rated movies or music with the "parental advisory" label on it. Why just games?
The REAL answer to all of this is that it should be up to the parent what is appropriate for their child. Not every child handles things the same. And if the kid ends up being a screw up, then it's entirely the parents' fault, not the media industry's.
Posted: Sep 14th 2010 2:39AM sonicspike41 said
@BPMOmega XBL PSN Steam
That parental advisory sticker is a joke.
It's entirely voluntary, a record with one "sh-t" can get it while a record with multiple uses of "f-ck" might not. It's up to the individual artist/label to decide how they want to use it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parental_Advisory#Controversies
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That parental advisory sticker is a joke.
It's entirely voluntary, a record with one "sh-t" can get it while a record with multiple uses of "f-ck" might not. It's up to the individual artist/label to decide how they want to use it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parental_Advisory#Controversies
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:37PM Mmmmz said
@megapixel
Or perhaps that other 28% understand how to be a PARENT and understand that the government doesn't need to be in everything to "protect" us.
The kids will still get the games. Just like how kids still get drugs and alcohol. Having the government come in and finger around doesn't solve anything.
Education does.
Or perhaps that other 28% understand how to be a PARENT and understand that the government doesn't need to be in everything to "protect" us.
The kids will still get the games. Just like how kids still get drugs and alcohol. Having the government come in and finger around doesn't solve anything.
Education does.
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:38PM Themoreyouknow said
News! Parents have someone else to blame for their child's behavior!
I bet it's the same parents saying video games are bad while they smoked during their pregnancy.
I bet it's the same parents saying video games are bad while they smoked during their pregnancy.
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:39PM Themoreyouknow said
@ColdHeat
There's no law stopping the sale of M rated games to minors. It's just most people follow that practice. This court's decision could make it illegal to sell games to minors like cigarettes and alchohol.
There's no law stopping the sale of M rated games to minors. It's just most people follow that practice. This court's decision could make it illegal to sell games to minors like cigarettes and alchohol.
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:41PM Deaths Hand said
@ColdHeat Yes, but it is not yet punishable by law
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:41PM Sumner said
@Mmmmz
tell that to arnold who's cutting education while spending millions fighting this case.
tell that to arnold who's cutting education while spending millions fighting this case.
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:45PM Premature ejaculation man said
Why don't those parents, just you know, NOT buy the violent games rather than having the Government ban them for us?
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 10:46PM GuardianLegend said
@Premature ejaculation man
the law does not ban violent games... learn to read bro
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the law does not ban violent games... learn to read bro
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 11:17PM Premature ejaculation man said
@GuardianLegend
Ha yeah. I thought I did...Then I reread and felt I posted a lil prematurely.
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Ha yeah. I thought I did...Then I reread and felt I posted a lil prematurely.
Posted: Sep 13th 2010 11:54PM King Johngie the Fourth said
@Premature ejaculation man
Haha. Prematurely.
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Haha. Prematurely.








