What's the Problem?

While trying to get tired enough to goto bed, I came across this news story.

From what I've gathered, the state of New York wants all video game consoles to have a lockout feature to make sure kids aren't playing games they shouldn't be, all games to have a rating on them to tell who is mature enough to play the game, and they want an advisory panel to study the non-existant corelation between video games and violence.

I have one question, why is this a problem? All three current generation systems have a lockout feature. PCs have a lockout feature if people are smart enough to actually restrict stuff using user accounts. This is a non-issue since the framework is already in place.

If I remember correctly, there's been a rating system for video games for at over ten years. I just checked Game FAQs and it looked like there was a rating block on the cover of Mortal Kombat II from 1994. So this really isn't an issue.

The one thing I can see people having a problem with are the studies to prove that video games do not cause violence. The only reason I can see for people not wanting this to pass is that they will lose their scapegoat. Can't blame video games if bad parenting is the problem.

Speaking of parenting, it is a problem. You'll have people claim that video games are too violent, and that violent video games are ruining today's youth, I'm looking at you Jack Thompson. No, they're not. Bad parenting is doing that. Last I checked, video games don't fly at kids and say, 'PLAY ME OR I'LL SHOOT THIS DOG! DO YOU WANT THIS DOG!" I'm not going to aruge that games like the Grand Theft Autos and the Mortal Kombats aren't marketted towards children. That would be a silly argument, because of course they are. Maybe not directly, but putting an M rating on a game is going to be more enticing to a child to play than something with an E rating. What does this have to do with parenting?

Kids cannot buy games. Well, they could if they had mommy and daddy's credit card or some cold hard cash, but that doesn't mean a retail place will sell them the game. Well, they shouldn't sell them because I would think that's a law suit waiting to happen if a parent doesn't approve. Besides, it's not up to the retailer to decide what children should be playing, it's up to the parents.

Parents need to make informed decisions. If your child is asking for a game, find out about it. If you're reading this and are a parent who is thinking about purchasing a game for your child, YOU HAVE THE INTERNET, READ UP ON IT! Make an informed decision. The rating system isn't there as the end all judgement as to whom can play a game. It is there as a guide. There are some eleven year olds that I don't think would have a problem playing Grand Theft Auto IV. There are some adults that I don't think can handle the game. Am I saying that no one should play it? Of course not. Am I saying children should play the game? Of course not. I'm saying that it's up to the parent to decide. I mean, you should know your child. You know what they're capable of, you know how mature they are. If you're not sure if they should play it, read up on the subject matter, most reviewers will tell you that.

Parents, sit down with your kids. Get to know them. Make an informed decision on your child's activities. If you think that killing nazis is completely healthy for your child, pick up that copy of Battlefield 1942. If you think your child can handle car jackings and mob crime, pick up any of the Grand Theft Auto games. If your think your child is a complete loser who can't handle anything? Well, you're probably a complete loser who can't handle anything, and you just brought up your kid to be exactly like you and you're just looking for something to blame your faults on.

I've also found this story.

The State of New York isn't the only one who think there's a problem with video games, apparently this is a job of the US Government! It's not like they have anything better to do that tell parents how to raise their children. All this big important people are afraid that other people's kids are going to grow up to be serial killers and kill their family (because as we all know, rich white kids don't commit crimes), so they HAVE TO DO SOMETHING! I know what you can do. TELL PARENTS TO STOP LETTING TV RAISE YOUR CHILDREN. I think I should run for congress, show them that an avid gamer can engage in civil conversation and not want to kill everyone in sight and rape and pillage.

Then I'll get up, call them all poopey heads and run away.