2008 Woodie Awards
War on video games
Issue date: 4/16/07 Section: Editorial
- Page 1 of 1
During the 1800's, the Waltz met heavy opposition because many believed it to be a dance that promoted sin and scandal.
In the 1940's and 1950's, angry parents and government officials targeted comic books. They believed that comic books caused youth crime, drug use, and poor grades. Lastly, Rock and Roll music also received widespread criticism during its early years. Today's politicians and parents discovered a new medium to attack - video games.
Legislators drafted several bills designed to restrict the sale of violent video games to minors throughout 2006. In October of last year, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill that mandated retailers to stamp violent video games with a warning label. This law also required stores to check the identification of the purchaser or face a $1,000 fine.
However, U.S. District Judge Ronald Whyte froze the law from taking effect, because he deemed the bill unconstitutional.
This series of events is taking place all over the United States. In 2006, Illinois attempted to enact a law that banned the sale of violent video games to minors. The video game industry responded with a lawsuit. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly subsequently ruled the law unconstitutional, asserting that the role of regulating the media that children consume must be left to the parents, not the state.
Although this was a victory for the video game industry, Judge Kennelly ordered the state to pay for the plaintiff's legal fees totaling just over $500,000. Unfortunately, this money must come from the pockets of the taxpayers.
Despite the fact that several of these laws have been ruled unconstitutional, legislators continue to write bills that restrict the sale of video games. They believe that video games are responsible for youth crime, despite the fact that youth crime rates are on a general decline.
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the number of homicide offenders aged 14-17 decreased from 4,383 in 1994 to 1,545 in 2004. Violence at school is also cited as a reason for video game laws, but the percentage of high school students who fought on school property "declined from 16% to 13% between 1993 and 2003."
While these legislators may have good intentions, the fact remains that these laws are unconstitutional.
Ultimately, the taxpayers will continue to pay for these blunders until lawmakers understand that video games are, indeed, a form of protected speech.
In the 1940's and 1950's, angry parents and government officials targeted comic books. They believed that comic books caused youth crime, drug use, and poor grades. Lastly, Rock and Roll music also received widespread criticism during its early years. Today's politicians and parents discovered a new medium to attack - video games.
Legislators drafted several bills designed to restrict the sale of violent video games to minors throughout 2006. In October of last year, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill that mandated retailers to stamp violent video games with a warning label. This law also required stores to check the identification of the purchaser or face a $1,000 fine.
However, U.S. District Judge Ronald Whyte froze the law from taking effect, because he deemed the bill unconstitutional.
This series of events is taking place all over the United States. In 2006, Illinois attempted to enact a law that banned the sale of violent video games to minors. The video game industry responded with a lawsuit. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly subsequently ruled the law unconstitutional, asserting that the role of regulating the media that children consume must be left to the parents, not the state.
Although this was a victory for the video game industry, Judge Kennelly ordered the state to pay for the plaintiff's legal fees totaling just over $500,000. Unfortunately, this money must come from the pockets of the taxpayers.
Despite the fact that several of these laws have been ruled unconstitutional, legislators continue to write bills that restrict the sale of video games. They believe that video games are responsible for youth crime, despite the fact that youth crime rates are on a general decline.
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the number of homicide offenders aged 14-17 decreased from 4,383 in 1994 to 1,545 in 2004. Violence at school is also cited as a reason for video game laws, but the percentage of high school students who fought on school property "declined from 16% to 13% between 1993 and 2003."
While these legislators may have good intentions, the fact remains that these laws are unconstitutional.
Ultimately, the taxpayers will continue to pay for these blunders until lawmakers understand that video games are, indeed, a form of protected speech.
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