There have been numerous attempts to intervene in determining the target groups for such video games by the policy makers. More precisely, legislative acts have been undertaken in several states that would limit the purchase of video games by minors (Thierer, 2003). However, such initiatives are against the First Amendment of the Constitution and were therefore rejected. Despite the fact that such an option may have reduced the number of video games purchased by minors, it may not have had the desired results largely because not all video games are violent. Indeed additional care should be provided to limit violent video games from influencing children and young adults, but the total ban of video game purchasing by minors would not have reached the desired result. Minors could have requested an adult to purchase such video games and it would have only pushed children of thinking of different methods to acquire these video games.
A proper solution, although not the only one, represents the labeling of video games that are violent, contain sexual explicit scenes, or are simply a negative influence on children. It is rather difficult to limit the access to products in a free market and in the end, the role of the state is to allow its citizens the right to a choice and to safe guard that this right is upheld. By properly pronouncing itself on the content of the video game (whether it is violent or sexually explicit or contains vulgar language or action) the consumer will make the decision to purchase or not based on an informed...
Unless these violent video games are declared illegal, the consumer has the right to chose but this choice can be done knowing that the content of the video game overall is not suitable for children or young adults.
Overall, it can be concluded that video games represent a two faced mirror. While on the one hand they can benefit self-development, on the other hand they can have a negative impact on children and young adults. The action that can be taken by the state, with full and due respect for the rights of the consumer and for the respect of the Constitution is to provide the consumer with a warning that one video game or another contains acts of violence, sexual behavior, or explicit vulgar language or scenes. In this way, the consumer makes the choice fully aware of the content and possible consequences.
Works Cited
Gentile, D.A. (2007). Violent Video Games as Exemplary Teachers: A Conceptual Analysis. Institute of Science and Society. Journal of Youth and Adolescence.
Rudon, T. (2011). 10 Benefits Of Video Games. Retrieved from SelfGrowth.com: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/10_Benefits_Of_Video_Games.html
Thierer, A.D. (2003, Jan 23). Regulating Video Games: Must Government Mind Our Children? Retrieved Sept 4, 2011, from Cato Institute: http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=11521
