Illinois Tries To "Protect Minors"

UO Staff Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 524 Location: Atlanta

Much to my surprise (not), another state is trying to ban violent games from sale to minors. The proposed ban would make retailers be forced to NOT sell games to minors if they're rated "Mature".
The reason I'm posting about this is that I want to pose a question to you all: is this something the government should be taking a stance in? I personally feel that it is a moral and maturity issue that should be taken up by parents, not by the government. My father let me play Doom II when I was 5, and I'm not a violent person. I played the original UT back in '99, and I was only 13 then. For that matter, I couldn't have even legally bought Unreal Tournament 2004, as I only turned 18 this June! I think that these types of legislation are what's wrong with America - why are we wasting our time and money deciding the moral issues that parents should be deciding with their kids?
Tell us what you think! Comment in our forums. There's a link right below this post just for that Wink

UO Noob Joined: 21 May 2004 Posts: 22

First of all, I'm against censorship like this most of the time.
I hate the way Germany outlaws games like Doom because there is shooting in blood.
I hate the way America goes completely nuts because of a bare breast shown on television.

However, if I read the post right (I can't be bothered to read the original article) this only applies to younger people.
Therefore I have no problem with it.

I don't expect children to be able to buy beer, or Playboy magazines, so I don't expect them to be able to buy producs depicting violence (or other inappropriate content) either.
If you really want to play and your parents do trust you with the game, and will guide you (necesary when you're young, because without that you will indeed get a screwed up view of the world) just ask them to buy it for you.
It's just that a lot of parents don't want to actually raise their children; expect schools, Hollywood, and video games to do that. Sad

Even if the parents do their job right, their children might not listen, and go and buy stuff anyway.
I don't think they should be able to.

So in short, I still think we agree.
The parents should decide if their children are ready, and can now choose wether or not to buy them the game.

Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 2:07 am

As I get older I find myself changing my stance a little from time to time. While yes it is VERY important for parents to monitor their kids life the truth is this, not all parents are GOOD parents. At this point we as a society (working through the government) need to decide what is in the best interest of kids who don't have capable parents. That might mean that a 13 year old not get Doom 3 or Riddick. Hell a pre-teen can't see a R movie without a parent (Kill Bill and Blade 2 are perfect example, two great stories ruined by WAY too much gore). So logic should dictate that a 12 year old can't buy a violent game. As always this is my .02 cents.

UO Noob Joined: 18 Dec 2004 Posts: 1 Location: Ohio

Bullseye, Tycho.

The only thing I have to add is that you will see more and more parenting legislation since there is no system in place to make parents be parents. Indeed , most have no idea how anymore.

Guest

My parents don't care about the games i play, if you have problems with reality don't play the games, parents must decide what's good and what isn't, let the governement do their things, and let the parents do their things (letting the kids learn and stuff).
Exclamation

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Kids must be free to live while they are still kids! Very Happy

Guest

I think any rating-system that doesn't have real-world consequences (ie : fines) for shops is useless.

We certainly can't rely on shopkeepers to not sell inappropiate games to kids, because they aren't interested in our kids mental health as long as there's profit to be had.

Given that selling drugs & 'porn' to kids is already illegal and that movies that have similar age-limits as well I see no reason to worry about a law that adds similar stuff for selling software/games to those underaged.

I would be worried if they started doing the same idiotic stuff they do in Germany.

The only real worry is that because games will have an extra large "contains violence/sex"-sticker is that the young ones are going to be tempted to see what's so "special" ...