State Senator Leland Yee isn't the first person who comes to mind when we're defending video games. After all, the man has a habit of annoying the ESA with legislation restricting video game sales, and one of his laws was overturned in 2007 after the ESA called foul and constitutional violation. Still, Yee refuses to deviate from that path and continues pushing for a law that prevents kids under 18 from purchasing "ultra-violent" games.
Yet a recent interview with Los Angeles Times revealed a sensible man whose concern lies primarily with children. Over the years, his attention has moved from movies and TV to the video game industry, where his focus now sits.
I was always interested in the influence of violence on TV and in the movies on children. But what this new technology presents is really over the top. One reason is the interactive nature, the fact that you can push a button and make certain horrific things happen. If you demonstrate to a child that you can do these things, it becomes part of their repertoire for dealing with anger.
As a former child psychologist, the man is pretty damn sure hyper-violent games carry negative effects for younger audiences, though he has no intention of ever banning these violent games. Yee believes that even the most gruesome titles should be protected under the 1st Amendment, just like any other form of entertainment.
This is where some critics misunderstand me. I think video games are artful and it takes a lot of creativity to make them. I also think the interactive nature of them and the technology behind them can have great educational value.
I'm never going to be the person who stands up and says we should ban these ultra-violent video games. I'm just saying children ought not to be allowed to access them unless a parent buys it for them. Otherwise, video games are just as worthy under the 1st Amendment as movies.
Senator Yee also clarifies that his law will apply to stores only, where physical copies are bought and sold. While digital distribution becomes exceedingly popular, he has no intention of attempting to restrict Internet transactions. "Once you're dealing with regulating the Internet, that's a whole other can of worms," he explained.
Now before you ask, he did allow his children to play video games when they were growing up. Instead of letting them hole up in their rooms with the doors shut, he made sure their doors were open and their monitors were always facing the doorway. Now that's good parenting.
Source:latimes.com
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