July 11, 2007
A Pennsylvania legislator has expanded a state-mandated study into the effects of violent video games on children.
As reported by the Times-Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA), Rep. Karen Boback (R, left) succeeded in amending a resolution to include other forms of media in addition to games. H.R. 94 was approved last week by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in a 196-0 vote.
The resolution authorizes the Joint State Government Commission to begin the study and requires a report back to legislators within 180 days.
GP: It's unclear where the PA legislature hopes to go with this resolution. In some ways Rep. Boback's amendment actually seemss to undercut the authority of the previous version by removing subpoena power from the study group.
Interestingly, Rep. Boback's amendment also acknowledges the constitutional difficulties encountered by video game legislation in other states.
Comments
P.S. If any of you are not going to vote in the ‘08 Presidential elections PLEASE just vote for Obama or Nader so you can do SOME good with you apathetic life.
"So they are expanding the research to all media?"
Apparently not. While the amendment acknowledges that other media *may* have an equal influence, and also notes that other media has equally voluntary ratings systems (and that violence across the board has increased), the bill *still* only requires them to look into violent video games.
@ GoodRobotUs
I don't think it has a 6 month time frame, but instead has to report its results up to that point. Its kinda stupid to look at the results seriously before the research is done, but they are politicians.
Paranoia levels rising
(Note: I would comment seriously on this but by now I am sick and tired of repeating myself. Not even an attack from Thompson can get me riled up. I am numb. THis attack on videogames is wearing me out.)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19701434/
Well, it's a first step... at least some of them are acknowledging that games are no different than other types of media.
I suspect the push to include things like movies resulted in an equal push by "other media" to remove the subpoena requirements...
Interesting... although "other media" is discussed as a "concern", the committee is still only required to examine the effects of violent games...
I also note that they acknowledge the legislative difficulties with regard to the first amendment, and make note that other bills have been struck down.
It's never good when you are rushing things just so that it is you personally who takes the credit, rather than doing it thoroughly in order to ensure the results are accurate.