Published in News

Watchdog group says video games cause sex and violence

by on25 November 2008

Image

Sometimes both

 

The National Institute on Media and the Family is unveiling its 13th annual video game report card to help parents choose games that are "appropriate" for their children this Christmas. The group spends most of its time trying to get the video game industry to develop better ratings and retailers to do more to prevent kids from being able to buy mature-themed games.

It has had some success - most games are rated and stores are better at preventing games being sold to people underage.  However, the group still feels the need to warn parents about content in games which, in its view, parents should stop their precious snowflakes from getting their sticky paws on.

Things that glamoriz sex, for example, are high on their agenda because children shouldn’t know anything about sex until they at least 40. Games that show drugs and violence should also be limited, the group says. Institute president David Walsh said that children spend far too much time playing adult games and the group wants stronger parental oversight. He also added that parents need to wake up and realize that the games our kids play do influence them.

The hit list of games include "Blitz: The League II" where players can target which body part of their football rivals they want to injure, Warriors in "Gears of War 2" where you can use a combination rifle and chain saw and  "Saints Row 2" which features gang violence and allows players to shoot police officers. "Dead Space," "Fallout 3," "Far Cry 2," "Legendary," "Left 4 Dead," "Resistance 2" and "Silent Hill: Homecoming," also earned a strong rebuke.

The sort of games kids should be playing are "Guitar Hero World Tour," "Rock Band 2," "Rock Revolution" "Spider-Man: Web of Shadows" and "Shaun White Snowboarding."

Last modified on 26 November 2008
Rate this item
(0 votes)