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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DECEMBER 19, 2002 Parents Beware: Some Video Games Make Deadly Gifts
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Joe Baca today urged parents to pay special attention to the content of video games that they may purchase to put under the Christmas tree for their children. Earlier this year, Baca sponsored legislation aimed at keeping ultra violent and sexually explicit video games out of the hands of children. The Protect Children from Video Game Sex and Violence Act would have imposed penalties on retailers who sold video games containing certain ultra violent or sexually explicit materials to minors. Baca stressed that the rigors of preparing for the holidays may cause some parents to forget to look at the labels of the gifts they purchase for their children. "Parents need to take a hard look at what video games they are purchasing for their children this Christmas," Baca said. "Often we parents just take our kids Christmas lists to stores and make purchases. We want to be done with it and get home to our families, but sometimes we don't really look at what we are buying." "In the case of violent video games case, not being aware could be dangerous for your children," he said. "More and more we are learning about the negative effects that violent video games have on children." Baca's statements were in response to the release of the National Institute on Media and the Family's Seventh Annual Video Game Report Card, which said that there was a growing tendency to depict graphic violence against women in the best selling and most popular games. "Violent games are teaching children that you can score points in life by killing," Baca said. "Children are active participants in killing and violence when they play these games, making choices that hurt and kill others, especially women." "At least when they see movies and television shows the children are not controlling the violence, or gaining money or points or extra time for hurting other people. In video games they become the character. They make their decisions, control their actions, and earn their rewards for violent behavior. Are these the kind of messages we want to send to our children at Christmas time?" Baca also noted that the sexually explicit content of some of the newer games on the market should worry parents as well. "Some of the games show topless women and images of strippers. Others let players pick up prostitutes and beat them to death.." Baca said. "Obscenity laws prohibit children from purchasing other types of media containing obscene material, but if it's in video games, children can buy them because stores are not required to check ID first." "Parents also may not know that games contain this kind of graphic material when the games appear to be about racing cars or dirt bikes." Baca's bill died in the Judiciary committee when the 107th Congress ended in November. However, he plans to introduce an improved version in January, as soon as the 108th Congress convenes. "We have gained a tremendous amount of support for this bill, both in Washington and at home in the Inland Empire," Baca said. "Parents want retailers to take responsibility and put principle ahead of profits." "But, until they do, parents must be vigilant in keeping dangerous influences out of the hands of their children." # # # |
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