Just last week, a terrible tragedy struck Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, causing many (including the infamous Jack Thompson) to point the finger at violent video games. Now, United States Senator Jay Rockefeller is bringing a bill before Congress that proposes that the National Academy of Sciences conduct research that explores the impact that violent games have on young kids.
I don't think we need to spend loads of money in conducting such research, as anyone with a decent amount of common sense can recognize that games like God of War, Hitman and Gears of War aren't appropriate for children. After all, what is the point of the ESRB? These games are rated Mature because they aren't suited for young minds, which are still incredibly impressionable.
Rockefeller detailed the bill on his website, saying that “major corporations, including the video game industry, make billions on marketing and selling violent content to children. They have a responsibility to protect our children. If they do not, you can count on the Congress to take a more aggressive role.”
Call me crazy, but isn't it the job of the parents to monitor and protect what games their children are playing? Too often do I see parents buying their children M-rated games and not thinking twice. I'm not denying that there is a problem here, I just think the blame is getting tossed in the wrong direction.
What do you think? Should the video game industry take the fall for corrupting young minds, or should the blame be placed elsewhere? Are violent video games a cause for concern at all? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
[Via]
