The Ban on Violent Video Games

By Sean Bell

The Different Sides

• There are many views on whether or not violent video games should be banned.

• Even though people have their reasons to want to ban or keep violent videogames, there

are 2 initial sides.

The ESA

• There have been multiple bills in different states trying to ban violent videogames.

• According to Amy Johannes “ESA Fights Louisiana Video Game Law”, Doug Lowenstein, President of the ESA, said, “This bill is an unnecessary effort.”

The ESA (continued)

• In “Violent Video Games”, Avital Sterngold says that video games are a useful outlet for childhood aggression.

• The ESA has struck down about nine lawsuits nation wide trying to ban violent video games.

Money Wasted

• The Illinois lawsuit is one of many lawsuits against violent vieo games. But the lawsuit was not successful, and for a failed lawsuit, the state of Illinois must $510,528.64 in legal fees.

How Video Games of All kinds Help

• According to Andrew Conry-Murray “$18 billion,” video games have evolved from a technological novelty to a powerful economic engine.

• Predictions showed that employment in the video game industry would reach 250,000 jobs by 2009.

How Video Games of All kinds Help (continued)

• game sales alone generated eight billion dollars in 2004, and they are expected to hit fifteen billion dollars by 2010.

Consequences

• The ultimate result of video game bans would be to establish a dangerous precedent: that the government should have the power to

decide what ideas children may be exposed to.

Consequences (continued)

• By restricting violent video games based on a theory, we push real crime to be done.

• By restricting the sale of violent video games, the government will push would-be users to illegal downloading.

• Video games are a useful outlet for childhood aggression, so by restricting violent video games, kids have to find another outlet.

It Is Our Right

• According to the internet article “Constitutional Law,” Statute restricting sale or rental of violent video games to minors violated First Amendment rights.

• Every law trying to ban violent video games thus far has been deemed unconstitutional.

Labels

• Companies put labels on all video games, so that mature games that are deemed violent cannot be rented or purchased by minors. But the parents could easily get the game for the child, so in the end, it is up to the parents what their children are exposed to.

Video Game Rating Board Symbols

Pictures

More Pictures

Personal Opinion

• I do not think violent video games should be banned.

• Trying to ban them are a waste of time and money.