FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 3, 2002
CONTACT: LINDA MACIAS/PAUL TODD (202) 225-6161

Baca introduces legislation to keep children safe from video game sex and violence

WASHINGTON, D.C. - United States Representative Joe Baca (D-CA) yesterday introduced legislation aimed at curbing the sale or rental of grotesque, violent and sexually explicit video games to minors on the heels of studies indicating that violent video games influence aggressive thinking and behavior in children. Recent studies have also shown that children are able to purchase violent or sexually explicit games deemed for mature audiences only almost 80 percent of the time.

"I'm a parent and grandparent, and I've had enough of the violence we're experiencing among our youth," Baca said. "We saw it at Columbine High School, and we saw it last week in Germany."

"Sex and violence sells video games, but it can't just be about the money. Parents have to take responsibility for their children and monitor where they are learning their behavior from, but stores have a community responsibility to help keep kids from harmful material as well."

Studies have shown that when a player identifies with a media aggressor such as a digital criminal in a game, post viewing aggression increases in the child more than in a child who passively witnesses sex or violence on television or in movies. Video games' constant, addictive nature also plays a role in aggressive behavior. Ninety-two percent of children ages two through 17 play video or computer games, and 20 percent of those can be classified as dependent on them. And, 93 percent of parents support having retailers restrict the ability of children to purchase violent or sexually explicit games.

"When kids play video games, they assume the identity of the characters in the game, and some of these characters are murderers, thieves, rapists, drug addicts, and prostitutes," Baca said. "Do you really want your kids assuming the role of a mass murderer or car jacker while you are away at work?"

H.R. 4645, The Protect Children from Video Game Sex and Violence Act of 2002, would create penalties for those who sell at retail or rent to a minor any video game that depicts any of the following:

• Decapitation, amputation, dismemberment, or mutilation
• The killing of human beings by the use of an object as a lethal weapon or hand to hand fighting
• The car jacking of a vehicle
• Rape or other sexual assault and prostitution
• Aggravated assault or battery
• Other violent felonies

Rep. Baca introduced the bill just days after a Federal district court held that sex and violence in video games was not constitutionally protected speech.

On April 19, a U.S. District Court in St. Louis upheld a St. Louis County ordinance requiring that children have parental consent before they buy games containing sexually explicit or violent content. The Court said that video games did not contain expression or ideas that could be considered speech under the constitution, and that they could be regulated.

"The courts have finally decided what every parent already knows - that video games containing ultra violent depictions of murder, rape, and assault have no place in the hands of our children," Baca said.

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