Parents Ask If Videogame Rating Bill Necessary?

Thanks to the Zanesville Times-Recorder for its article discussing why some parents are questioning recent moves to legislate on the availability of violent videogames to minors. John Sellars, a local Ohio parent, says of his children: "I watch what they play and I decide what they play. I don't think it should be up to the lawmakers to decide, it should be up to the parents." A local videogame store owner is also quoted as arguing: "The game manufacturers rate each game, like they do movies, and parents will tell their children 'No, that game's not for you'", in a relatively rare counterpoint to recent violent gaming-related legislation attempts.

Comments

Lack of Understanding ...

[lake2112]

These parents fail to realize that ratings are guidelines, not regulations. The ratings are provided for the purpose of helping the parents make informed decisions about what their kids are playing. It's like saying that there shouldn't be any movie critics, because I decide what movies I watch anyway.

Re:Lack of Understanding ...

[ronfar]

Spider-Man comes to mind (the point of the game is to kill the bad guys).

Spider-Man doesn't kill people, so either the game isn't true to the license or you are misinterpreting what is happening.

Re:Whats the problem?

[Dinglenuts]

Would you want 7 year olds being able to buy movie tickets to NC-17 movies?

No, but the responsibility lies with parents using social pressure on local movie theatres to voluntarily age restrict and watching their kids, rather than the all powerful hand of government using a hammer to fix a screw.