6/30/2005
Parents--Not The Government--Should Monitor Video Games
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Date published: 6/30/2005
Japan, the undisputed heartland of the video-game industry, is quickly becoming a media hotspot. More and more heinous acts are being committed by the youths of Japan, and these outbursts are being linked to such violent video games as "Grand Theft Auto" and "Resident Evil."
Earlier this year, a 17-year-old was arrested after his teacher was killed and others were stabbed at one of his former schools. He reportedly had an intense love for gaming and was a big fan of the first-person-shooter series "Resident Evil."
In more recent news, a 15-year-old Japanese boy was arrested in connection with the deaths of his family. Authorities believe he also attempted to destroy evidence by blowing up the family house with homemade explosives.
Media outlets later characterized the boy as a rabid "Grand Theft Auto III" fan, according to Gamespot.com.
Violent acts such as these seem to be occurring in Japan with startling frequency--and all of them seem to have links to minors playing video games that, according to the rating system, should not have been sold to them.
This has led the entire nation to plans for "self-imposed" regulations on video-game sales.
The Kanagawa prefecture has led the pack for regulations on the sale of video games to minors, banning the sale of "Grand Theft Auto" to minors because it's a "harmful publication," Gamespot reported.
The Computer Entertainment Suppliers Association seems to not want further censorship of video games, believing that freedom of expression must be upheld. However, the association does seem to believe that somebody has to take responsibility for the effects on undeniably impressionable youth.
It seems that parents will never assume this responsibility and will always find a scapegoat.
But I hope logic will somehow work its way into the U.S., and people will one day stop suing Wal-Mart for selling their kids games that they provided the money for in the first place.
RYAN BROSMER is a rising senior at Courtland High School
Date published: 6/30/2005
Japan, the undisputed heartland of the video-game industry, is quickly becoming a media hotspot. More and more heinous acts are being committed by the youths of Japan, and these outbursts are being linked to such violent video games as "Grand Theft Auto" and "Resident Evil."
Earlier this year, a 17-year-old was arrested after his teacher was killed and others were stabbed at one of his former schools. He reportedly had an intense love for gaming and was a big fan of the first-person-shooter series "Resident Evil."
In more recent news, a 15-year-old Japanese boy was arrested in connection with the deaths of his family. Authorities believe he also attempted to destroy evidence by blowing up the family house with homemade explosives.
Media outlets later characterized the boy as a rabid "Grand Theft Auto III" fan, according to Gamespot.com.
Violent acts such as these seem to be occurring in Japan with startling frequency--and all of them seem to have links to minors playing video games that, according to the rating system, should not have been sold to them.
This has led the entire nation to plans for "self-imposed" regulations on video-game sales.
The Kanagawa prefecture has led the pack for regulations on the sale of video games to minors, banning the sale of "Grand Theft Auto" to minors because it's a "harmful publication," Gamespot reported.
The Computer Entertainment Suppliers Association seems to not want further censorship of video games, believing that freedom of expression must be upheld. However, the association does seem to believe that somebody has to take responsibility for the effects on undeniably impressionable youth.
It seems that parents will never assume this responsibility and will always find a scapegoat.
But I hope logic will somehow work its way into the U.S., and people will one day stop suing Wal-Mart for selling their kids games that they provided the money for in the first place.
RYAN BROSMER is a rising senior at Courtland High School
