Barty’s Weblog

Horror writer Stephen King has joined the debate over violent video games and criticised plans by a US state to ban some games. He was reportedly “outraged” when he heard that a bill in the state of Massachusetts could ban the sale of violent games to anyone aged under 18.

“What makes me crazy is when politicians take it upon themselves to play surrogate parents. The results of that are usually disastrous. Not to mention undemocratic…”

King said the most effective ban was parents knowing and caring about what their children were watching, reading, doing and who they were hanging out with.

“Parents need to have the guts to forbid material they find objectionable … and then explain why it’s being forbidden”

I find it very hard to disagree with his comments. He’s dead right! (Pun intended)

In New Zealand we have classification laws that should work well for video games — when enforced by watchful parents.

As a seller of classified games and DVDs, it does concern us that many parents do not know they are breaking the law when they allow their children to watch or play Restricted material in their home (the penalties are a maximum fine of $10,000 or a jail term of up to 3 months). Parents can be guilty under the Act unknowingly…

“The Act specifically says that it is no excuse that the parent, or cinema operator, or shop manager, did not know that it was a restricted publication. This makes sense because of the bright red labels affixed to publications that clearly state what the restriction is.”

One problem parents face is buying from unofficial sources. For example, Trademe is rife with “us versions” of video games that haven’t been cross-rated and even have some unrated games for sale. Parents who buy these games probably won’t realise they are Restricted as there’s unlikely to be any “bright red labels”.

Personally I’d love to see far more education of parents via the mainstream media regarding their legal responsibilities under the Classification Act.

We have a very good system in place… but how about educating the public about their responsibilities?