I have read enough articles over the years which have linked teen exposure to violence in the media to a greater desensitization toward violence in every day life.
Consequently I was shocked to read of the U.S. Supreme Court which overturned a California law banning the sale of violent video games to kids.
"To be sure, there's plenty of content in video games that's not for kids. Virtually everyone agrees on that, and there's a ratings system in place to help parents decide which games are appropriate and which ones aren't.
The ratings, like those at a movie theater, provide guidelines and create rules for game retailers. (California's law would have judged games differently though, making it a crime if a retailer doesn't follow them.)"
CNN looks at ten violent video games over the years which have sparked controversy:- Death Race, 1976
-Mortal Kombat, 1992
-Doom, 1993
-Grand Theft Auto, 1997
-Silent Hill, 1999
-Postal 2, 2003
-Mad World, 2009
-Bioshock, 2007
-Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, 2009
-Bulletstorm, 2011
If only one can rely on all parents and caregivers to protect children from overexposure, and provide vital alternative learning and entertainment opportunities.
