Federal judge throws out Minnesota’s video game law
A federal judge has struck down a Minnesota law that would have fined minors (instead of the retailers) who purchase video games rated for adults. It is not the government’s place to determine what video games children should be playing. This isn’t a governement issue. It is a parenting issue. This would have never worked anyway. Cigarettes (and alcohol) are illegal for minors to purchase too (but even then we don’t fine the minors, we fine the companies selling them. At least in AR, we do.), and look how well that works. How many people did you know in High School that smoked? About a quarter of the people in my class, at one point or another. And that is on an issue where there is a real reason for the ban (health issues). There are no proven ill-effects of playing violent video games. There is a lot of conjecture out there and studies timidly claiming one way or the other. But there is no way to know for certain. Which is why it should be up to the parents to decide what to do.
If parents care so little about their kids that they are letting them play anything they want, then what difference is some law going to make. It only addresses a symptom of a much deeper, incurable problem. And if parents are playing these games with their children and discussing the issues that come up, I have a feeling that would actually be beneficial for children. But it is just my feeling. I have no right to tell other people how to raise their kids based on my own feelings. And if children disobey their parents and play these games even though they aren’t not allowed to, that is a family discipline issue that the government has no right to intervene in. To sum up my feelings, the government has absolutely no reason to be passing laws like this. To read another opinion on this issue, check out jayreding.com
I’m an Arkie, as well, and agree wholeheartedly with your sentiments. Videogames aren’t the problem, nor is playing videogames that are not “age appropriate” according to the ratings. I find the rating system to be about four to five years “off” anyway, and while I police what my kids play, there are a number of games that they are allowed to play that are rated “older” than they are, but I have reviewed the games, sometimes played them (to get an idea of what caused the rating), and discussed any questionable content with them. We don’t allow what we consider exceedingly violent games, or those that are excessively crude, etc…
The point is, we’re involved, and our kids know what the rules and limits are. Statutes like the one overruled in Minnesota are desperate attempts to provide some measure of protection for children who aren’t being properly protected by their parents/caregiver.
The problem is, as you say, much deeper than video games. If I let my five year old play, and learn how to socialize, from GTA, then I’m likely to be the type to not set appropriate boundaries for my children, which is the real problem. It’s sad that anyone can have kids, but you gotta have a license to drive a car.
BTW, we do have a “minor in possession” statute here in AR. I know from personal experience that you can, indeed, be fined for having alcohol underage.
And, as a fellow Arkie, I’m sure you feel the pains of Paul Eels demise. Razorback football will never be the same.