Rep Baca wants to slap warning labels on violent games

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Video games in the United States have their ratings on the front of the box, with a description of what content led to that rating on the back of the box. The issue of whether playing violent video games leads to real-world violence is a contentious one, and Congressman Joe Baca (D-CA) wants to be proactive on this issue.

Rep Baca has introduced a new version of the Video Game Health Labeling Act, which would force the game industry to place yet another warning label on the box of video games rated "Teen" or above. "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," Rep Baca stated. "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." Not only does Rep. Baca think that the link between violent content and violent behavior has already been proven (it hasn't), Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA) likens the effects of games to those of smoking, in terms of causal relationships. "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," Rep 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."


Rep Baca wants to slap warning labels on violent games