Violent Video Games: Should Kids Be Able to Buy Them?

By U.S. News Staff

May 7, 2010 RSS Feed Print

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently reviewing a California law that bans selling or renting violent video games to minors. Supporters of the law, like Timothy F. Winter, president of the Parents Television Council, say that ultraviolent video games are harmful to children, and a law like California's helps to protect them. But opponents, such as Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, argue that the law violates free speech protections and that video games' current rating system works just fine.

What do you think? Is this ban a good idea? Should kids not be allowed to purchase violent video games without a parent or guardian present? Take our poll and post your thoughts below.

Should Kids Not Be Sold Violent Video Games?

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Previously: Should Middle Schoolers Be Banned from Facebook?

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This arguement can go on for ever but as Kevin from NJ said, violence and war are shown to kids everyday through television everyday. Almost all games should be sold to kids. Now if you think that a game that shows you killing little kids should be sold to a five year old you are very wrong. Kids should be abel to buy any game from a game for kids five and younger to games for teens but if you want a rated mature game you need a parent to be there to say that it is ok. I do not beleive that video games will make you go crazy and go on a killing spree.

micheal of AK 9:00PM January 26, 2011

First, "kids" "should" be sold "violent" "video games!":

"Kids" who are responsible enough to interpret the content appropriately should be allowed to experience it, ideally accompanied by discussion with parents.

I.e. content that is thought-provoking, cooperative, competitive, or expository or promotes problem-solving or strategic thinking skills which many "violent video games" do.

The scope of the types of "video games" is vast, a large portion of such games definitely contain ideas deserving protection via the first amendment.

John Collins of NJ 6:58PM May 29, 2010

First off, if your like me you play violent video games all day long when you are able too. Second, i am only eleven years old. I am also very smart for my age. I can read at a 12th grade level. Also i am a hard core gamer. i play halo, metal gear solid, god of war, grand theft auto, legend of Zelda, splinter cell, prince of Persia, Max Payne, prototype, WoW, and Dungeons and Dragons online: unlimited. I even play normal D&D on the weekends(Half-elf wizard lvl 16 for pen and paper game normal Elf for DDO ). As you can guess i am a social reject. i get made fun of for being fat, i have never had a girlfriend, the list goes on and on. My only escape during the day, is playing video games with my brother and online w/ my friends. I am even a subscriber to game informer. Right now i am waiting for DC universe online to come out for my PS3. as you can see i am a so-called nerd. if violent video games were out-lawed, i would not be able to play most of my favorite video games. Video games that are intended for children my age are completely stupid and lack a feeling of fun when you've been playing legacy of Kain:blood omen since you were 2 years old. And unless you are mentally unstable already, video games wont do any harm.

Travis Sweeney of TX 11:45PM May 23, 2010

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