Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto, CA.) introduced a bill that mandates that "all video games with an Electronics Software Ratings Board rating of Teen or higher" must be sold with a health warning label. The bill is called "The Video Game Health Labeling Act of 2011" and would create a new rule within the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The label would read:
"WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior."
"The video game 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," said Rep. Baca. "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."
Rep. Baca cites "scientific studies from the Pediatrics Journal, University of Indiana, University of Missouri, and Michigan State University" that point to a "neurological link between playing violent video games and aggressive behavior in children and teenagers."
Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA) is a co-signer of the bill.
"Just as we warn smokers of the health consequences of tobacco, we should warn parents – and children -- about the growing scientific evidence demonstrating a relationship between violent video games and violent behavior," Wolf said. "As a parent and grandparent, I think it is important people know everything they can about the extremely violent nature of some of these games."
"We must hold the video game industry accountable and do everything in our power to ensure parents are aware of the detrimental effects that violent games can have before making decisions on which games are appropriate for their children to play," concluded Rep. Baca. "I am proud to introduce the Video Game Health Labeling Act, and am hopeful this legislation can work to stop the growing influence of violent media on America’s children and youth."
Comments
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
I'm grateful and scornful of the class of congresspeople (all congress people, not just Baca) that are in our system. On one hand issues that could truly benefit our citizens are stalled by stubborn party members. On the other hand, it's fortunate that insignificant issues like the one Joe Baca pushes will be ignored.
what we really need is a way to review the laws currently on the federal and state level books and determine whether or not we really need those. This will ensure that the laws that actually make sense stay and help our society while those that needlessly stifle society will be pushed aside. Law books would become lean and efficient.
But there are plenty of good arguments that an inefficient government is best. I guess that is true, but we still need to not become apathetic and neglect to vote, and try to inform fellow voters.
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
MORE of this crap? If this is the worst they pass then fine, I think they'll find that like the Parental Advisory labels on music they only entice children to play these violent games.
You'd think by this time we'd be past all this, but I think we have another 20 years to go before all the old guard die off and only those who have grown up with and understand games will be around to make these decisions.
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
Has anyone else noticed that every (or nearly every) study that keeps getting cited shows a correlation between violent media and aggression? And only that?
The politicians keep saying it causes aggressive and/or violent behaviour. And I can't think of a single psychologist who has even noted a correlation to aggressive behaviour, let alone violence. I think a stats prof and someone from the APA need to go give some terminology lessons to the politicians.
Also, we should put warning labels on all equipment related to team sports. Participating in team sports (football, soccer, etc) also has a (probably stronger) correlation to aggression. Just you don't see a big news story because someone playing football gets pissed off and starts throwing punches.
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Chris Kimberley
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Chris Kimberley
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
With all the hype about concussion warnings in the pee-wee sports leagues, I'm just waiting for a group of parents to drag their kids inside so the don't get hurt by that big scary world out there...
Treasure bin: Cult Hits, chea pass gaming options, and rants about gaming in general
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
Too late. I agree about safety measures, but some people today are just Nucking Futs!
Hunting the shadows of the troubled dreams.
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
I propose a challenge for Mr. Baca. I shall look for studies which flat out that claim the exact opposite of the game studies that he is citing as well as studies which show a weak correlation rather than causality. He on the other hand gets to look for studies which show that cigarettes are not harmful.
Lets see who wins!
-Ultimately what will do in mankind is a person's fear of their own freedom-
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
If your gonna put a warning label on the games then put a label on your forehead that states you may not know what the hell your talking about Mr. Joe Baca.
http://www.magicinkgaming.com/
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
WARNING: Just being a human has been linked to aggressive behavior.
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z3-H-csk8I
Video related (in more ways than one)
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
"They have repeatedly failed to live up to this responsibility"
Have I crossed over into a parallel universe where the industry did not introduce age ratings, content descriptors, parental control systems on consoles and voluntary refusal of sale to minors? If so, then that comment makes perfect sense.
If parents are ignoring 'M' or 'T' rating labels, I would be sceptical about the effectiveness of another label. I could think of a better place to put that label...
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
He's just pandering in an age where targeting video games for political points is almost quaint. He couldn't even get this off the ground in 2009. Even if he did, good luck getting it passed in a Republican controlled House of Representatives that wants to scale back governmental control, Mr. Baca.
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
"The political 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," said Rep. Baca. "They have repeatedly failed to live up to this responsibility. Meanwhile research continues to show a proven link between passing bills and increased aggression in young people. American families deserve to know the truth about these potentially dangerous products."
fixed.
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
WARNING politicians may contain lies ... and trace ammounts of nuts (heheh)
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For "Warning Labels" on Games
I see that retard is at it again. He filed this same piece of horseshit 2 years ago and nothing came of it:
gamepolitics.com/2009/01/12/new-bill-congress-would-add-cigarette-warning-labels-video-games
Geaux Saints, Geaux Tigers, Geaux Hornets, Jack Thompson can geaux chase a chupacabra. Hell will stay frozen over for quite a while since the Saints won the Super Bowl.
Geaux Saints, Geaux Tigers, Geaux Hornets. Hell will stay frozen over for quite a while since the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV.
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For "Warning Labels" on ...
"Retard". Classy.
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For "Warning Labels" on ...
Speaking the truth as always. Besides that, considering that Baca once called a congresswoman a "whore", he's not any "classier" than anyone else.
Geaux Saints, Geaux Tigers, Geaux Hornets, Jack Thompson can geaux chase a chupacabra. Hell will stay frozen over for quite a while since the Saints won the Super Bowl.
Geaux Saints, Geaux Tigers, Geaux Hornets. Hell will stay frozen over for quite a while since the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV.
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For "Warning Labels" on ...
She called a congresswoman whore? Wow, how is that he is still on congress?
------------------------------------------------------------ My DeviantArt Page (aka DeviantCensorship): http://www.darkknightstrikes.deviantart.com
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For "Warning Labels" on ...
gamepolitics.com/2009/01/13/congressman-pushing-warning-labels-games-worst-10-list
Easy to stay in Congress when you're representing a state that mostly votes Democrat.
Geaux Saints, Geaux Tigers, Geaux Hornets, Jack Thompson can geaux chase a chupacabra. Hell will stay frozen over for quite a while since the Saints won the Super Bowl.
Geaux Saints, Geaux Tigers, Geaux Hornets. Hell will stay frozen over for quite a while since the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV.
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
Is this being put on movies, games, books and other forms or just "dem evil vidya games of Satan?"
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
Joe Baca ? I'm sure I've heard his name in a previous videogame-related controversy, but I can't remember when it was...
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
I believe that he introduced this exact same bill a few years ago. So he has been reported on before.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
Random Tower: Game News and Commentary
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
*sigh*
This shit is never going to end, is it?
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
Politicians need warning labels......
I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/cigital-disobedience/
I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/what-is-cigital-disobedience/
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
He's certainly making ME feel more aggressive.
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
WARNING: Politicians are stoopid.
Can´t wait to see his lame bill get on fire.
"I am proud to introduce the Video Game Health Labeling Act, and am hopeful this legislation can work to stop the growing influence of violent media on America’s children and youth."
Disgusting. Please, get a time machine and travel back to the 1950´s or earlier. You´ll be better there.
------------------------------------------------------------ My DeviantArt Page (aka DeviantCensorship): http://www.darkknightstrikes.deviantart.com
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
The problem is... politicians are not stupid... voters are. The politicians do exactly what they need to do in order to keep thier job... he would not be doing this if his team did not think that it would make a good reelection point.
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
Well then, we should use a "politicians lie often" warning label instead.
------------------------------------------------------------ My DeviantArt Page (aka DeviantCensorship): http://www.darkknightstrikes.deviantart.com
Re: Congressman Joe Baca Pushes For Warning Labels on Games
I think everyone already knows that.