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Congressman Wants Health Warnings On Video Games

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the nanny-state dept.

An anonymous reader writes "California Rep. Joe Baca has proposed a bill which would mandate placing health warning labels on any video game rated T (13+) or higher by the ESRB. The Video Game Health Labeling Act of 2009 would require a cigarette pack-like label that reads, 'WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior.'"

3 of 421 comments (clear)

  1. No by fiercedeity · · Score: 5, Informative

    "Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior" Except that it hasn't been.

  2. Except this is exactly wrong... by DocJohn · · Score: 5, Informative

    Psychologists have shown that, in fact, there is virtually no connection between playing violent video games and increased violence, so the Congressman from California has it exactly wrong:

    http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/05/17/the-link-between-video-games-and-violence/

    I'm all for research supporting reasoned legislation, but in this case, it is ignorance and misconceptions supporting "feel good" government nannies.

    --
    Yes, the answer is no.

  3. Re:Hmm... by bobdehnhardt · · Score: 5, Informative

    I think that's the crux of the matter. The comparison the cigarette labels is misleading. In that case, there has been an incontrovertible link between smoking and various diseases - even the tobacco industry now admits this. The link between violent video games and violent behavior is far more tenuous, supported somewhat by some anecdotal evidence, and strongly disputed by many behavioral scientists. I've got no problem with the label per se, IF it's accurate.