Law Would Put Health Warnings on Games

***wraggster*** · January 12th, 2009, 19:09

A new congressional bill would require that a label be placed on any title rated Teen or higher, warning consumers of violence in videogames. The label would appear on both retail and digitally distributed games.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Joe Baca (D-Calif.), is titled the Video Game Health Labeling Act of 2009 and would create a new rule in the federal government's Consumer Product Safety Commission that would place this label on all games rated T or higher:

WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior.

The blog GamePolitics.com, run by an arm of the Entertainment Consumers Association, says Baca has proposed videogame related bills in the past, none of which have passed. Last year, Baca sponsored a bill that would have required Federal Trade Commission to report on the Entertainment Software Ratings Board's effectiveness.

The Video Game Health Labeling Act is co-sponsored by Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) and has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/943/943996p1.html

**Mc_Logical** · January 12th, 2009, 20:09

What like the health warnings on cigarette/tobacco packs? lol this idea for games though may reduce kids having rated games, good idea, but as for smoking it won't make a difference lol

**shadowriffe** · January 12th, 2009, 22:28

Oh, and we need to put a new label on Rap albums:

WARNING: Excessive exposure to rap music and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior, drug addiction, misogyny, illegal sex activity, and being a straight up G.

Or a better one:

WARNING: Excessive lack of good parenting that keeps children from differentiating fake violence from reality may lead to children growing up to be aggressive idiots who blame their lack of social skills on video games and other violent media.

These people are stupid.