 Violence and Videogames During a Season of Peace |
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by Kelly C. Martini |
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There has been a lot of talk around violent video games this year – from Congressional hearings to the news. When Christians celebrate the “Prince of Peace,” religious leaders are worried that talk is cheap and parents and communities should be taking action against violence in regard to popular video games. The United Methodist Women’s Division, in conjunction with advocacy partners, is urging those who buy Christmas presents for children to be aware of what they are purchasing. The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) has produced “Gift Giving in the Season of Peace: What can we do about Violent Video Games” on their web site at http://www.iccr.org/issues/violence/holidayflyer05.pdf . ICCR is an organization which the United Methodist Women’s Division is a member of and which the Division helped start. According to the document, in many cases these games “reward players for performing acts of violence and brutality that include beating women, shooting police officers and committing racially motivated acts of violence.” Though games with extreme violence are rated “M” for mature audiences, these ratings are controversial in themselves, said Julie Taylor, executive for children, youth and family advocacy with the United Methodist Women’s Division. “For one thing, the ratings are determined by the industry itself who profits from video game sales, not an outside organization who doesn’t have a link to the profits,” Ms. Taylor said. “Studies also show that children can easily purchase video games, no matter what they’re rated.” According to the ICCR resource, “a 2003 survey by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission found that 69% of unaccompanied children ages 13-16 were able to buy Mature-related games at retail stores.” Ms. Taylor said that as parents and a community, we need to keep this in mind. “We can accompany our children when they are purchase video games. When we give games as gifts, we need to look closely at the ratings and discuss the game with others to see if the ratings are fair and if the violence would be unhealthy for the child. As parents and guardians, we can be present when the child is playing a game. And, as a community, we can ensure that retailers are not selling games to children who are too young. We can put pressure on them!” Ms. Taylor said. There are other resources to help those purchasing video games, Ms. Taylor points out. The National Institute on Media and the Family has released its MediaWise Video Game Report Card, which gives a list of ratings and recommendations, plus other things to consider when shopping. The resource is online at: http://www.mediafamily.org/research/report_vgrc_2005.shtml The advocacy effort around violent video games is not new to United Methodist Women. The board of directors at the 2003 Women’s Division board meeting supported House of Representatives (H.R.) bill 669, which would have made it illegal to sell ultra-violent videogames to minors. Directors viewed “Sex, Violence and Videogames,” produced by the Division-supported Lion and Lamb Project, which gave examples from today’s most violent video games that children purchase with little difficulty. Directors then voted to give The Lion and Lamb Project $1,000 to provide 500 of these video tapes to Representative Frank Wolfe of Virginia. Representative Wolfe mailed these videos, along with his own personal endorsement to all U.S. Congressional members asking for support of H.R. 669. In addition, he sent videotapes to state attorney generals, encouraging them to enact state legislation similar to the national bill. This legislation would put selling Mature-rated video games in the same category as selling alcohol and tobacco products to minors. H.R. 669 stalled in the Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Committee, and was dropped from the Congressional calendar because it was not acted upon by the end of 2004. New legislation has been submitted in the current Congress, primarily calling for studies around the effects of video game violence. According to The Social Principles (162. III. C) of The United Methodist Church, “In particular, children must be protected from economic, physical, emotional, and sexual exploitation and abuse." United Methodist Resolution 187, “Violent Coin-Operated Video Game Machines,” states that United Methodists are to be "advocates at state and federal levels for the elimination of violent games that specifically target children and youth…specifically those games that glorify death, show killing, and depict all acts of violence." United Methodist Women is an organization with approximately 1-million members. The organization’s purpose is to foster spiritual growth, develop leaders and advocate for justice. Members raise nearly $25 million each year for programs and projects related to women, children and youth in the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world.
Date posted: Dec 23, 2005 |
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