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GA Proposes Restricting Game Sales to Minors
HarryCaul writes "The Georgia Legislature has a bill proposing the restriction of sales of video games to minors. This bill is independent of the voluntary ratings in that it would prohibit the sale of "especially heinous, atrocious or cruel" games to children. Another bill from the same legislator would take the more reasonable step of requiring stores to post a sign explaining the video game rating system. From the article: "The video game proposal is one of several like it being introduced across the country. Lawmakers in North Carolina, Illinois and Michigan are among those considering similar measures."
Glad this wasn't around when I was like 12 and buying Doom. I still have never had anyone id me to buy an M rated game though. My 13 year old brother got ided when he bought GTA and they still let him buy the game.
I won't say "You can mod me down if you want, but..." because I hate it when people say that.
But...
I think this is a Good Thing(tm). They've been doing it with movies for ever and I don't remember it destroying my civil liberties when I was a child.
Pulp Audio Weekly - Geek News and Reviews
(yes, i know there are responsible youth gun owners, but which requires more responsibility... guns or video games?)
This just in:
In a nationwide first, all 50 states have agreed to pass state-specific laws relegating parenting to the government in various degrees. Local governments will ensure that children play the appropriate games, watch the appropriate movies, and hear apprporiate radio stations. In addition 'teen-camps' will be set up with handy drop off zones for parents (most open 24 hours). Parents are not required to pick up their children, or actually know the childs interests or first names.
Local residents appear to be largely in favor of this bold move. Sandy Jones of Smithington, PA said "Well it's about time. I can't tell you how many times whats-his-name has done some stuff to piss me off. You wanna hit 'em, you know? But you're not allowed to these days. It's a big relief to know I'll be able to drop the devil spawn off into the hands of a responsible, accurate, and accountable organization like the US government."
Some city services are already beaming at the economic opportunites. The transit authority is in the process of setting up a VIP program for parents, picking children up at their very front doors.
Reasonable, intelligent people could not be reached for comment.
-- I have fans? Wow.
Why should the gov't be responsible be people not raising their kids right. i agree with you that your LB shouldnt be playing that kind of a game, but what more can the gov't do to prevent this. they cant send someone out to watch over every parents shoulder and when a parent lets their kid do something that they shoudnt, that man cant be there to slap the parents fingers and tell them "no!" the government can not control the way that parents raise their kids, it all comes down to old fashion parenting.
I KNEW it. Big Brother IS watching us!
Don't blame me, I voted for Durga.
When I was a kid I barely had enough money to buy a comic book once a month. Now it seems that kids have enough cash flow to buy M-rated games and what not at the drop of a hat. I think I grew up in the wrong generation. :P
Back on topic, I agree that kids shouldn't be allowed to buy M-rated games. It's the same deal as movies, books, or any other medium. Of course, it's ultimately up to the parents and how they want to bring up their kids. What's good for the goose isn't always good for the gander.
I know when I was younger my parents were generally always making sure I wasn't doing things I wasn't supposed to, but on those occasions that they allowed me to run off by myself, if I wanted to go see a rated R movie, I wouldn't have been able to get in. I ask you, really, what is the difference between enforcing laws that keep kids from watching movies that have been deemed too violet or sexual or whatnot, to keeping them from being able to buy games of the same nature without parental consent? Nothing really.. If the parents allow it then the kid can still do it, this will hopefully just make the parents realise that maybe they shouldn't get their kid "game x" because it is rated mature, maybe they'll pay a little more attention to what they buy now.
If they restrict the sales of video games to minors, how will us adults purchase our video games?! Soon, we'll have to stand outside of the local game shop, asking 14 year old kids if they'd be willing to buy a game for us, and...
Oh, wait. They mean that sales of video games to minors will be restricted. I suppose that's a little different, then.
That green slime had it coming.
Other times the terrible mind warping stuff was books, movies, or music. Now it's videogames.
Doom, GTA, neck snapping in Price of Persia 2, and virtually storming the beaches at Normandy in Day of Defeat isn't going to turn kids into rampaging pairs of Harris & Klebold any more than D&D turned me and my friends into throat slashing demonically possessed murderers.
This is *stupid* and so are the legislators pushing it and the people who support it.