Congressman Tries to Slap Health Warning on Games

“WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior.”
WARNING: The above label could soon take top billing on all of your favorite game packages – that is, if Congressman Joe Baca has his way. Last week, he introduced the “Video Game Health Labeling Act of 2009.” His reasoning? A masterpiece of misinformation.
“The videogame industry has a responsibility to parents, families and to consumers – to inform them of the potentially damaging content that is often found in their products,” Baca said in a statement.
“They have repeatedly failed to live up to this responsibility. Meanwhile research continues to show a proven link between playing violent games and increased aggression in young people. American families deserve to know the truth about these potentially dangerous products.”
Of course, Baca fails to mention the other, equally valid studies that kind of, you know, “prove” that gamers are, by and large, normal people. We think one of them might’ve been titled “Real Life.”
So yeah, odds are, this bill won’t be sitting on Capitol Hill for long. Sorry, Baca. Same time next week?
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October 11, 2011 at 4:07am
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liliagephardt
July 29, 2011 at 9:33am
Video games can cause all sort of problems. There was a guy who died from playing a video games for three straight days with no rest. When he tried to go to bed he died walking. Too bad there aren't drug rehab centers that can cure video games addiction. If there was I'm sure many mothers would send their teenagers to get some sort of treatment.
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annabelle_bohr
June 29, 2011 at 12:57pm
Violent games are very dangerous! I'm afraid to let my child play these kinds of games, because he's a young boy and I heard that computer games in general create addiction. Maybe I'm paranoid, but someone told me that this addiction is similar to drug addiction. My best friend needed an outpatient drug treatment to quit drugs. If games are that dangerous I will forbid my child to play them!
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Loraine_Burchell
June 29, 2011 at 11:40am
Games are just like other drugs: you abuse them you get addicted. I have heard about an Texas drug rehabilitation clinic that started a program for people that have problems with games. I was just reading an article about the money made out of game selling and it is quite "alarming". We should find a way to control these addictions!
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viciousglad
June 28, 2011 at 4:37am
Games have always been fun and all but we have recently discovered the health implications behind countless hours spent playing games. I can only imagine how the future will look like: serious health problems for the current teenagers.
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Loraine_Burchell
May 20, 2011 at 4:46am
Video games are addictive. I know it because I have played such games and I know it's difficult to quit playing them once you've started. They are very dangerous for kids. Games are supposed to be constructive not full of violence. Any addiction is bad, including this one. The worst part is that it's not easy at all to get help. If you are doing drugs or drinking a lot of alcohol Florida rehabilitation helps. If you are caffeine addicted you can find something to replace it. With games it's different.
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john01247
April 09, 2011 at 9:25am
Labelling is imho senseless, who is really reading all remarks, recommendations on products.
Games are not that dangerous, they should highlight that health is also seriously affected.
Just look at weight increase of gamers, It is also an issue. I cover the issue of healthier weight loss also in my blog which is called gesünder abnehmen in German
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December 11, 2010 at 2:41am
Well of course that is just ridiculous. Worts case scenario you could carry on trying to create new laws to regulate just about every facet of live and you end up like Italy where they wouldn't know their $rse from their face. They can't make a decision with a gun to their head. Anyway, I enjoy using games for weight loss. Diet Plans Comparing weight loss programs
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November 29, 2010 at 11:03pm
Games have a great effect on child's health, in both way physically and mentally. Games must be motivating not violent. It must inspire children towrads their goal.
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Ella Rochelle
November 16, 2010 at 7:04am
I don't know what to say about the fact that children who play games are more violent. My opinion is that they develop a greater insensibility toward the outside world than those who read books, for example. All in all, children should be allowed to play video games one, maybe two hours per day, because there are some of them that stimulate their imagination, their tactical skills. Ella Rochelle - Cialis Online manager
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Ella Rochelle
November 16, 2010 at 6:50am
I don't know what to say about the fact that children who play games are more violent. My opinion is that they develop a greater insensibility toward the outside world than those who read books, for example. All in all, children should be allowed to play video games one, maybe two hours per day, because there are some of them that stimulate their imagination, their tactical skills.
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RobbyDesmond
October 24, 2010 at 6:29am
It would be weird to have health warning on video games as they would be cigarettes or alcohol. This potential health hazard lies in abuse. If kids are not forgotten for days in a row in front of the PC, I don't think these games are dangerous, even if they might be a bit on the violent side.
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September 11, 2010 at 6:56pm
There's no actual research on the age group the game is meant for to back it up, unless you include people that are a part of a totally different culture. The research I'm refferring to was tested on 9-12 year old kids in the U.S. and two different age groups spanning from 8 to 19 in japan. The economy is in the iranian's hand.Man they have gone rich witin days just because of their crude.
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phaseone
February 03, 2009 at 6:53pm
I say it is about the content, you say it is not. There are studies that show that playing violent games increase aggressive behavior and there are studies that show the opposite. Who is right? I think my point is still valid. It does not effect gamers in general. If they want to put a label on a game that is already rated for adults that will never change my mind about it. If it changes the mind of the parent who thought about purchasing that said game for an underage kid then so be it, it served its purpose.
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phaseone
January 18, 2009 at 9:42am
I sure don't, why is everyone getting all bent over this? So they want to put a label on the cover of games for parents..... and? Is that stopping us from buying them? (nope) Does that stop bad parents from letting the kids buy them? (nope) So who cares? (hopefully not you now) The label means nothing to me (and to you), and it does not say anything bad about gamers, its just refering to the content in them.
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nekollx
January 18, 2009 at 10:42am
the problem is its NOT about content its like the Surgon Generals warning on cigeretes "warning: Games are known to cause violent behavior" which is just bull shit
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mlauzon
January 13, 2009 at 12:37pm
How much do you want to bet, that you-know-who -- the lawyer who got disbarred -- is behind this somehow..?!
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nekollx
January 13, 2009 at 9:44am
funny i recently finished BioShock where i was smashing mutant skulls in with a wrech, braining bigots with a cane, and unloading heat seaking missles into the faces of doctors mad with genetic splicing...
and i dont feel a urge to go out and kill the president...
there must be something wrong with me.
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Azruelli
January 13, 2009 at 8:21am
So far, to my knowledge, there has been absolutely no research on any age group in the US that remotely pertains to the averagely aged gamer that envelops themselves in violent media.
Only. Fucking. Twelve. Year. Olds.
If we're going to ignore the fucking ESRB rating and aluse to the only age group that has been proven, let alone studied to be more violent after playing violent video games then we need to punch that congressman in the face for not noticing that there's ALREADY A FUCKING WARNING ON THE CASE THAT SAYS THE GAME IS FOR 17+ and UP. "There's no way this could be violent enough to instill bloodlust into little jimmy." isn't an excuse any more.
There's no actual research on the age group the game is meant for to back it up, unless you include people that are a part of a totally different culture. The research I'm refferring to was tested on 9-12 year old kids in the U.S. and two different age groups spanning from 8 to 19 in japan.
Stupid ignorant government sticking their nose where they're not welcome, nor educated in.
Gaaaaaahhhhhhhhh.
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I Jedi
January 13, 2009 at 7:06am
First Great Britain wants to implement rated content sites, like in the movies... Then the IRS wants to tax virtual economies, like World of Warcraft and Second Life... And now.... Now they want to post labelings on video games claiming the sheer destruction these games can cause to the poor young mind, as if the ESRB content rating wasn't enough, we got to have this big ass annoying thing also warning us of the content inside.
We higher elected officials to keep our national interest going and alive, to help maintain the safety of our people, their way of life, etc, but it seems to me that Government is finding every way to stick it's collective nose where it simply just doesn't belong.
It's no wonder my friend lost all hope for the Government after they approved that massively idiotic bailout. (See Capitalism and free market for why.) Yep, and I'm ready to jump the bandwagon with him, too.
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gumbo87
January 13, 2009 at 6:47am
There really is nothing quite like a douchebag congressman trying to carve out his legacy. How fucking weak do you have to be to try and make a name for yourself as a crusader against "inapppropriate" media. You, Congressman Baca, are lower than Tipper Fucking Gore. At least at the end of her misdirected crusade she could sorta put a check in the W column. Why don't you go consult Jack Thompson about taking on the gaming industry; I think he could give you a few pointers. You fucking douche.
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Devo85x
January 13, 2009 at 5:20am
Is this legal for them to post a warning on them when there has been no causal link proven between violent games and violent behavior? Its bull shit and this guy should be sued...
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whiplash55
January 12, 2009 at 10:27pm
The economy is in the shitter the iranians are building nukes and you Sir Doushebag want to label video games. No wonder the country is so fucked up. Maybe you should include warning labels "Not for Human Consumption" on the inside of toilets. Oh, that's right your the one feeding us the hot steamy loaf.
Never Mind good work congressman.
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Digital-Storm
January 12, 2009 at 9:31pm
And Osama Bin Laden played lots of games. Particularly the Princess ones. Those could intice anger into just about anyone.
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HoldenMai
January 12, 2009 at 9:01pm
And terrorism leads to new plots for videogames! It's a never ending cycle!
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The Relic
January 12, 2009 at 9:45pm
By George, you've hit the nail on the head! It's all a heinous plot by the videogame companies to generate more plots by encouraging terrorism! I can see the headline now..."Electronic Arts, Others in Cahoots With Osama bin Laden! Film at 11!" ^_<
Seriously, this Baca is such a baka...
















