Wednesday January 26, 10:46 AM Videogames in line to carry medical warning
A US Congressman has motioned to reintroduce the Video Game Health Labelling Act following evidence of a neurological link between violent video games and aggressive behaviour.
"WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior." This is the message that could soon be appearing on American videogames rated Teen or above if US Democrat Joe Baca is successful in pushing a bill through Congress.
Baca referred the Video Game Health Labelling Act bill to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce yesterday, the details of which are not yet publically available. However Baca quotes findings from renowned US institutions to support the bill: Pediatrics Journal, University of Indiana, University of Missouri, and Michigan State University all support, according to Baca: "[a] neurological link between playing violent video games and aggressive behavior in children and teenagers."
US website 1up.com has statements this morning from Baca and the bill’s co-sponsor Frank Wolf:
Joe Baca: "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."
Frank Wolf : "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."
The violence in videogames debate seems never ending, but perhaps it is time that violence in all forms of entertainment is more clearly guarded. It would be unfair for videogames to be singled out in such a way while movies and other forms of visual entertainment are left alone.
http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/76/news/videogames-in-line-to-carry-medical-warning-8a3676.html
