Pennsylvania Legislature Looking Into Video Game Violence

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

She looks like she had to many happy pills

Hears how we fix this. Young people… VOTE!!!!!!!!! In the ‘04 presidential election the voter turnout for 18 to 20somthings was ABYSMAL and it’s even WORSE for local elections!!! Start getting active and MAKE YOU’RE VOICE HEARD!!! This goes for all elections from school board to police chef to mayor to governor to congress to president!!! OH MY GOD IT’S THAT EASY SO F#!*$^# DO IT!!!!!!!!

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.

If This Is The Second Time Through They Are Sure To Find Something Most Likely To There Joy Because They Are Sure To Be More Selective On There Study Groups, Most Likely Using Good Taxpayer Dollars For The Sake Of Picking The More Mentally Fragile And Unstable Or By Simply Putting Emphasis On The Moments Of Frustration All Gamers Occasionally Go Through Where You Just Want To hrow The Controller Into The Wall.

If you don't want them doing this, then just email them, oy.

Oh crap as a Pennsylvanian this makes me sad.

Great we can waste more taxpayer money on a red harring.

Don't give this bill more weight than it deserves. The task force is to determine if further study or current assumptions warrant more scrutiny. The most research you can expect is in medical journals and getting professional opinions. No new studies will be funded unless this task force determines the need. Then another bill has to be drafted....

@Gameboy

"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.
-- If your wiimote goes snicker-snack, check your wrist-strap...

So they are expanding the research to all media? Books, television, and movies are being included? I think I'm gonna have a heart attack. They actually want to do somewhat decent research?

@ 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.

I'm drafting e-mails and snail-mail letters to the legislators in my district about this, but I'm going to hold off on sending them until I see what exactly they're up to.

Paranoia levels rising

Does this lady look hungry to you? I mean, for power or maybe human flesh? She has a crazy look about her. Just saying, why is it that we never get any good looking politicians trying to legislate videogames. I am begining to think that a conspiracy is afoot. We need an expert of this... call you know who!

(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.)

Maybe an off topic but MSN has an interview with Mike Gallagher:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19701434/

Makes me wonder if they weren't finding what they wanted to find....

"succeeded in amending a resolution to include other forms of media in addition to games"

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.
-- If your wiimote goes snicker-snack, check your wrist-strap...

I don't mind the investigation, as such, but putting a time limit on it of 6 months is a but dumb, it says to me that they are more interested in getting a quick 'off the cuff' analysis that doesn't go into too much depth.

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.

Why do people insist on looking into the effects of video game violence. By now it's pretty obvious the effects vary from person to person. Stable and...Not so stable people.

My Uncle was involved in the campaign of a candidate who ran against her last year and I happen to know for a fact that Karen B will be a 1 term politician. At the polls she called all the blue collar employees of Proctor and Gamble Factory "Mindless Millionaires". (That happens to be the largest employer in her region.) What is the rule for politicians? Always assume you are being taped. She was, and doesn't have a clue! (Too many happy pills). Another campaign now has it and it'll come out right before the next election. This legislation will never get done before she is out and her replacement will not waste his time on such foolishness as this.

Big government nanny state!
 
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james_fudgeshe gets no credit until she employs some common sense. - 2 credits for her.05/24/2013 - 11:22am
Andrew EisenTo Stender's credit, she did unmoderate my most recent comment within a day's time. There's even a couple other replies. None from her though.05/24/2013 - 11:18am
james_fudgeapparently gamers are all 14 - 21 years-olds living in basements according to her way of thinking...05/24/2013 - 11:11am
ZippyDSMleeEZK: 0_o thier video card chipset is at the very least 3 versions behind the top PC video card.......05/24/2013 - 7:38am
MechaTama31"You just wouldn't understand how my parenting preferences are more important than everybody else's freedoms."05/24/2013 - 7:37am
DorthLousI love how she plays the "I'm a parent, you're a gamer, you couldn't understand" card... I'm a parent and I find her position despicable...05/23/2013 - 4:16pm
E. Zachary KnightShe didn't address your questions because she doesn't have any answers.05/23/2013 - 3:38pm
Andrew EisenI replied to her comment. Maybe in a few weeks I'll get a reply.05/23/2013 - 3:24pm
Thomas Riordan@Andrew Eisen To what bowling alley does she go that puts sexual images in the faces of 6 year olds?05/23/2013 - 3:17pm
Andrew EisenWell, it took a month but Linda Stender finally replied to me... and didn't address a single one of my questions. http://aswlindastender.com/2013/04/23/follow-up-video-games-and-their-effect-on-children/05/23/2013 - 3:13pm
ImautobotAlso, from a tech perspective the PS4 is apparently already winning. http://bgr.com/2013/05/22/xbox-one-vs-playstation-4-specs/05/23/2013 - 3:12pm
ImautobotSony's PS4 motto should be "We play games." Microsoft's should be "We play games, when we're not rewinding your tapes."05/23/2013 - 3:11pm
Andrew EisenOh look, Dying Light was just announced For Everything But Wii U. That's 73.05/23/2013 - 2:06pm
james_fudgeZippy: they said the same thing about Cell. How did that turn out.05/23/2013 - 1:28pm
Andrew EisenNeed for Speed Rivals is coming out For Everything But Wii U - PS3, 360, PC, PS4 and Xbox One. That brings the grand total up to 72.05/23/2013 - 12:55pm
PHX Corphttp://wiiudaily.com/2013/05/microsoft-is-selling-the-wii-u-better-than-nintendo/ Wii U daily Opinion: Microsoft is selling the Wii U better than Nintendo05/23/2013 - 12:23pm
E. Zachary KnightZippy, they very well may be. But that will only last until they are released. At that time, they will be two generations behind.05/23/2013 - 11:14am
ZippyDSMleefor a good luagh, http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/124288-EA-Exec-Xbox-One-and-PS4-Are-A-Generation-Ahead-Of-PC05/23/2013 - 10:55am
james_fudgeIt's about time! I need W805/23/2013 - 10:49am
MaskedPixelanteLooks like Gamepot is more willing to play ball than Square Enix. Wizardry 6+7 and 8 are available on GOG.05/23/2013 - 10:36am
 

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