The hot topic lately seems to be talk of laws to ban the sale of M rated games to minors. The recent article on Gamespot sparked some heated complaints and I can't for the life of me understand why. Is it really such a bad thing for kids to get their parent's permission before playing M rated games? I tried to have this conversation in the board for the article itself, but I was bombarded by the idiocy of the Internet.
Let's get it straight now; I don't at all believe that all minors should be kept away from M rated games (Aidan, you really need to talk with your parents about this 
). Some can handle the content, while others aren't prepared for it. The one fact that everyone seems to be overlooking is that the law isn't preventing kids from owning the games, just buying them. Parents are more than welcome to buy these games for their children if they think they can handle it. Since a child is the responsibility of the parent until they turn 18, there isn't any reason the parent shouldn't be doing this anyway.
The really sad part is that it has gotten to the government phase in the first place. There isn't any reason for them to be involved with making parents keep track of what their kids are playing. If you're a minor and you want to play an M rated game, ask your parents. If they say no, then the problem is between you and your parents, not the state. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the people demanding these laws be put into action are the parents that try to make everyone else raise their kids or people that don't have kids in the first place (which really doesn't make sense). Laws like this aren't a bad thing; they are just trying to make sure parents are forced into taking care of their kids. People need to stop complaining that these laws are unconstitutional and they are being oppressed. Keep in mind, you're not a real citizen until you're 18 anyway. Until then your parents (or guardians) are judge, jury, and executioner.
Comments
Parents should be parenting their children. There is no need for the government to do it for them. Making laws about mature rated games is unfair to the game industry since other industries are not singled out or included.
If is to be illegal to sell M-rated games to minors, then it should also be illegal to sell mature music, movies and other media to minors. Heck, I see just as much violence and sex on prime-time TV as I do in some M-rated games. Yet I don't see the government trying to fine television networks $1000 for every child under the age of 18 who is home watching those programs.
Games and all other major media are rated, including television. It is up to the parents to monitor what their children see. If children grow up to be monsters, it is either a problem with upbringing or perhaps medically/mentally induced. It is not the fault of the media provider.
And yes, ratings are guidelines. Some 18-year-olds should never see or play a mature title. While some 8-year-olds could handle anything you throw at them and remain healthy and mentally sound individuals. This is why it is up to the parents' discretion what their children should or should not see.
1. Laws are already in place enforcing ESRB ratings. Already, there's about an 80% ID-checking rate with M-rated/T-rated games. All this law accomplishes is wasting taxpayers' money on a non-problem that's already pretty much solved.
2. This law represents quite invasive governmental meddling. As you said, this is a parent-child issue. The government is overextending itself when it tries to dictate to parents what they will and will not allow their kids to buy and play. This law may also be used as a weapon during divorces, where one parent will invoke the law against the other parent, who allows their child to play M-rated games, as evidence that the courts view minors playing M-rated games as something very wrong, and sue for sole custody. The law seems to represent the state taking a stance about what kids shouldn't be playing, even if it is "technically" left up to the parent, and that's a dangerous precedent to set.
You have a very idealistic view of politics.
Video games are the last thing I would be worried about where teenage pregnancy is high (actually US has the highest in teen pregnancy rate), single mothers on high,education (in the public schools) are very poor, and the economy is doing so-so BUT little johnny is playing Halo 3 lets put all our money and attention on that Also I never saw anyone getting their ID's out for a R rated movie when I was 16 I couldn't buy a M rated DS game but I could walk out of Best buy with a R rated movie or a very explicit CD and no one would care I personally believe kids don't get violent from video games if little johnny grows up to be a terrorist lets look into his family background was anyone in his family depressed or have depression? was he raped or witnessed something traumatic? or how was he raised? did his parents love him or just didn't raise him or did they beat him on a regular basis? these are all factors (even more) to lead some1 down a violent streak but instead he played Halo 3 or Counter-strike so it must be the games and not his moral upbringing
In conclusion I honestly feel its the parents decision not the government I don't want some official telling me how to raise my children its all based on how well you know your children and how they react to certain things
Aidan129