Violence in Video Games
Guiding Question: Should the government have to be involved in legislation regarding video game content?
Proof 1: Explain how First Amendment ensures freedom of speech, including video game content.
"It is not the government's job to forbid content in media. It is the responsibility of the parents to decide what their children should play.
Body Paragraph 1: Music censorship case and ratings system for video games
Body Paragraph 2: Research evidence
Body Paragraph 3: Sociological implications and blaming
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution insists that citizens of the U.S. have the right to free speech. This Amendment has been utilized by artists from a wide variety of genres and talents to preserve their right to express themselves and prevent any form of censorship. Most calls for legislation regarding censorship have actually come from the parents of America's youth. Rather than take responsibility for determining whether or not a film or video game is suitable for their child, the adults call upon the government to create laws to limit content. It is not the government's role to forbid content, but the cause of the parent to decide what games their child should or should not be allowed to play.
A case of media censorship occurred in the music industry over the content of song lyrics. The findings of that inquiry were that the content of song lyrics was protected by the First Amendment. However, the music industry made a jointed conciliation and began a process of labeling CDs and records according to content. In the...
For everyone, E10 for everyone over age ten, T for teenagers, and M. For mature (Chalk 2007). For games that are extremely violent or sexually explicit, the title can receive a rating of Ao, which stands for "Adults Only." Labels are designed to inform parents about the product they are purchasing. Besides the letters, gaming labels also show the specific reasons for which that game was given a certain rating, whether that was for violence, drug use, or sexual content if any. Yet, for some purportedly concerned parents, this is not enough. There are groups who would try to ensure that no objectionable content appears in video games at all, thus ensuring that there is no way that there precious children can get a hold of them. It is the sole responsibility of the parent to keep tabs on their children; it is not a cause of the government.
Researchers have concluded that the modern child spends an unhealthy amount of time watching television and playing video games. Consequently much of what they witness through the media influences their development throughout the rest of their lives. Scientists and behavior analysts have investigated the correlation between violent video games and negative social interactions. What they found was that people who play violent video games are quicker to react with violence and aggression to stressors (Anderson 2003). So the science does back up the position that violent games lead to violent action. This still does not meant that the government should be responsible for limiting how much violent or sexually explicit content…
