FTC Says More Regulation Needed For Games 149
simoniker writes "The FTC has testified in detail to Congress that, though the game industry has 'made progress' in regulating the marketing of violent video games, 'more needs to be done.' It also revealed that it's conducted undercover surveys into whether underage gamers can buy M-rated games. It also commented: that '...the Commission will continue to monitor closely developments in the area and will initiate actions, such as the case challenging the marketing of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, when appropriate.' Will we see the FTC stepping in more often in controversial cases regarding violent video games?"
ESRB? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:ESRB? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:ESRB? (Score:4, Informative)
Re:ESRB? (Score:5, Insightful)
Yeah, they're already on that. Anyways, I think it's the parents' responsibility to figure out that there's a rating system; the ESRB's job is not to find every single parent and explain. The MPAA doesn't advertise their rating system at all, and their ratings and content descripters are much less intuitive and detailed than the ESRB's, yet it's the ESRB that always gets bitched at. Fuck that shit. Parents just need to read the fucking label, it's not that hard.
Or (Score:5, Insightful)
One of my coworkers has twin boys age 12 and a younger one age 7. All play videogames. They all have their own computers, they all have their own gameboays etc. None play any games that he hasn't first. He tries them, and decides if he finds them acceptable. He uses the ratings as a guideline, but the ultimate decision is what he feels is ok for his kids. After all, he understands their maturity level.
I don't see why that's such a big deal for some parents. Nobody is saying you need to be a gamer or spend all your time playing games, but you can spend 30-60 minutes playing a game to see if it's acceptable. Hell, for that matter you can start playing games, play them with your kids. No different than any other activity you might dow ith your kids. Never know, might even find it fun, games are actually designed with fun in mind.
I just do not see this as a big problem. As a parent you need to be highly invloved in your kids' lives. Yes, that means your social life will suffer, but that's kinda the deal. I think there needs to be more emphasis on good parenting, less on how society can try to Nerf-pad itself to make sure kids never encounter anything harmful.
Re:Or (Score:2)
I wish we could have tests for parenting.
Re:Or (Score:2)
Luser: "Did we pass the parenting exam?"
Dogbert: "No, and you'll have to leave some body parts at the front counter."
Unfortunately barring a manditory but reversable steralization procedure, I see little that can be done to help the problem.
Though maybe this is an oppertunity to try. If your kid does something wrong and blames it on a videogame, we don't crack down on the manufacturer, instead we crack down on the parents. We make them go to a class that explains real simple shit like "Keep
Re:Or (Score:2)
Ok well here's a question for you (Score:2)
Will they have more free time than you? Sure. Right now my aformentioned coworker's kids are at home, he and his wife are at work. So what? The kids don't have any games he doesn't consider are ok. He has their systems locked down so he can disallow games if he wants (the gameboys he just takes with him if need be) there's a webca
Re:Or (Score:2)
Mooooooo!
all have their own computers, they all have their own gameboays etc. None play any games that he hasn't first. He tries them, and decides if he finds them acceptable. He uses the ratings as a guideline, but the ultimate decision is what he feels is ok for his kids. After all, he understands their maturity level.
"Not now dear I'm testing a game for the kids."
"Now what have I told you before son. I play the new games and once I'm done.
Re:Or (Score:2)
Then keep the heavy RPGs away from them until they're at an age where they can analyze stuff they (and you) disagree with. Once they're at an age where they can discuss and analyze things, games like this can lead to conversations that can really teach a kid t
Re:ESRB? (Score:2)
Prosser. (Score:5, Funny)
Slashdotter: > What exactly was wrong with the ESRB ratings we had already? They gave an age category and described any potentially offensive content. It was perfect. What more could we need?
Government: What do you mean "what more could we need"? These are regulations! You've got to legislate regulations!
Some factual information for you. Have you any idea how much damage that bulldozer would suffer if I just let it roll straight over that Constitution of yours?"
Slashdotter: "How much?"
Government: "None at all."
Re:Prosser. (Score:2)
The bureaucracy is expanding to meet the needs of the expanding bureaucracy.
Re:Prosser. (Score:2)
Re:ESRB? (Score:1)
Personally, I don't know why they are going through all of this song and dance. We will all be mu
Re:ESRB? (Score:2, Insightful)
In this day and age, most children have an independent source of income that allows them to afford games, consoles+TVs/computers and a private unsupervised apartment to play them in.
As you can see, it is impossible for parents to dock allowances and take away games if they disagree with the content. The kids will go to their p
Re:ESRB? (Score:2)
Re:ESRB? (Score:2)
Obligatory Comic Book Guy (Score:1)
*** Sarcasm beeps wildly and detector explodes ****
Ok so perhaps in this case a sarcasm detector would have been useful.
Re:Obligatory Comic Book Guy (Score:2)
Re:ESRB? (Score:1)
Re:ESRB? (Score:1)
Re:ESRB? (Score:1)
Of course, I feel games should only be regulated as much as books (i.e. personal media), and I never heard anyone claim that Harry Potter created
Re:ESRB? (Score:1)
Re:ESRB? - addendum to my previous post (Score:1)
Re:ESRB? (Score:2)
how about games that erase the minds of any player below the age restriction? of the game i mean, duh
sure would beat trying to police the stores.
Re:ESRB? (Score:2, Insightful)
I think the ESRB should have the p
Re:ESRB? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:ESRB? (Score:4, Insightful)
Which, by the way, is a much larger problem than games.
Re:ESRB? (Score:2)
Or unrated director's cut versions of R-rated movies? And movies regularly carry extra content that is unrated! Who knows what might be found in there! Perhaps a naked boobie on a PG movie, or a penis on an R movie!
Or do they expect V-chips and parental locks on DVD players to deal with that? But don't all the modern consoles already support their own parental controls?
Re:ESRB? (Score:2)
Meet the new VGAA, same as the old MPAA?
Re:ESRB? (Score:2)
I think parents should have the power to tell their kids not to do things, and to punish them if they disobey.
Oh wait...
Re:ESRB? (Score:3, Insightful)
Today's society has changed. Teen and pre-teen children have larger amounts of finances than I did when I was a child. Television (and video games) and cash have become a steady replacement for babysitters, and often parents do not take an interest in what there child is doing.
The problem is still, ultimately, a parenting issue. It is in
Re:ESRB? (Score:2)
It's different groups doing the caring. One group is ultra-concerned that another group is dissinterested, and damnit they are going to do their best to make that group interested.
Meanwhile,
Re:ESRB? (Score:2)
Re:ESRB? (Score:2)
By the nature of your question, the "ultra-concerned" would be more likely to be a vocal minority. A disinterested party is likely not going to vocalize the fact that they don't care. I didn't
Re:ESRB? (Score:1)
Re:ESRB? (Score:2)
It makes it look like the government is doing something to protect children.
Re:ESRB? (Score:1)
ESRB works just like it should; I can tell if any "objectional" content is in the game, and I can make an informed decision whether or not to purchase it (for me or my child). I've never had a problem with this before.. but I guess it wouldn't be an election year without some sort of "think of the child" issue.
Finally (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Finally (Score:1)
Re:Finally (Score:2)
Re:Finally (Score:2)
Re:Finally (Score:2, Informative)
Lydia Parnes, Director of the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection, told the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection...
Quoth the poster,
they've already fixed all the other problems in the world like... the war in Iraq, FEMA handling the New Orleans relief, stopping Iran from producing nukes, world-hunger, huge corporate scandals, huge governmental scandals
So are we to understand that the Congressional Subcommittee
Re:Finally (Score:2)
Re:Finally (Score:2)
In other words (Score:2, Insightful)
Government involvement probably isn't the answer, and this hopefully is just one step towards another independant system.
Regulation on videogames is only needed... (Score:4, Insightful)
*Hyperbole alert.
Seriously though, it is (and should) ultimately be up to the parent to decide what their kid (read: under 18 years old in the US) can play. Even thats a bit arbitrary, as I was sixteen when I was playing Counter Strike, a 'M' rated game. Its more of the fact that I knew it was a game, and knew that it was not real. Six year old Timmy is more than likely unable to properly make the distinction.
Re:Regulation on videogames is only needed... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Regulation on videogames is only needed... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Regulation on videogames is only needed... (Score:1)
And while they're at it (Score:1)
Oh wait....
Re:And while they're at it (Score:2)
Oh yes - Hillary Clinton too - but I think there's some other issues going on there.
Sometimes a penis is just a penis.
More regulation by parents (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:More regulation by parents (Score:1)
FTC asking for expansion of regulatory powers? (Score:3, Funny)
Is it an election year yet? (Score:1)
Bureaucracy.... (Score:5, Insightful)
Bureuacrat: Yes, more needs to be done. And I need more resources with which to do it.
The exact topic du jour matters not one bit.
The primary motivation of any bureaucracy is to extend its dominion and claim more needs to be done.
A surprising number of organizations, many of the quite large, are basically moving along with this motivation and nothing more. I don't care to get flamed so I won't name names, but there's a lot of 'em.
So... I actually read the article (Score:5, Funny)
Yeah, I know I'm also choosing to believe that the FTC wouldn't step in with some wide ranging rules allowing the ATF to become the ATGF. Although visions of moderately trained ATGF agents conducting a SWAT style raid on a LAN party do make me smirk. "Damn, those are good speakers! That really sounded like a flash-bang!"
Re:So... I actually read the article (Score:2)
It's not Constitutional.
So yes, it's unreasonable.
Re:So... I actually read the article (Score:2)
Those aren't law. Where is the FTC ability to fine for Wal-Mart selling an R-rated movie to a minor?
Prove it.
There are already several precedents that shot down any attempt to regulate movies and books. This isn't any different.
Re:So... I actually read the article (Score:1)
Re:So... I actually read the article (Score:1)
Re:So... I actually read the article (Score:2)
But as I understand it the FTC didn't force the rating to an M. Public outcry caused the ESRB to modify their rating. Perhaps I'm being overly optimistic.
Re:So... I actually read the article (Score:1)
Re:So... I actually read the article (Score:2)
As I've admitted, I may a little too optimistic on this front. Which is an unusual turn for me. My point of view is that video game censorship has become a neat political talking point. People on both sides of the ais
We definately need more regulation (Score:2)
Re:We definately need more regulation (Score:1)
Re:We definately need more regulation (Score:1)
I do not believe that prohibiting a store owner from selling a video game to minors is one of those services. I'd rather my tax money not be spent on such a thing. Here is why... the minor cannot easily consume the content without parental consent, given acceptable levels of parental responsibility.
This
Re:We definately need more regulation (Score:2)
I figure you were being sarcastic.
Thing is, sometimes personal responsibility affects others, and unfortunately that's where we need regulation. Take for example drunk driving. If the only victim was the drunk person, we can be sure society wouldn't give a rat's ass. But the thing is, the innocent bystanders are the victims.
Unfortunately, this is also true with irresponsible parents - the ones that don't bother getting involved. They let their kids be exposed to all kinds o
BBFC (Score:3, Informative)
Re:BBFC (Score:2, Informative)
Re:BBFC (Score:1)
And to clarify my own post further, realising 'non-statutory role' was a bad term to use: classification of films in general (unlike games, and with a few exceptions) falls under the Video Recordings Act, but only some of what the Board takes into account [opsi.gov.uk] is explicitly laid down legally.
Re:BBFC (Score:2)
It works very well, too, the rating system has been graded very highly in the past. The problem is twofold - lax or no enforcement by retailers, which the FTC report touches on, and lack of knowledge from parents, which is a much larger problem. Something like 90% of games that kids get are bought by
Waste of Money (Score:2)
Lawmakers would be better off spending the time and money on education
A governmental agency that wants more control? (Score:1)
do we really need more 'morality police' ? (Score:2)
can't people just police their OWN behavior?
why is america becoming SUCH an nanny-state??
rock and roll was supposed to 'corrupt the youth' back in the 50's. didn't happen.
why do they think video games are any different?
(they also tried this with comic books. sigh. the morality police just never give up, do they?)
Re:do we really need more 'morality police' ? (Score:2, Insightful)
#2) The ESRB notice is FAR superior to the moving rating system... since it tells you why a movie got the rating it received.
#3) It's the PARENT'S job to oversee what their kids do, not the government, not the gameshop.
The government has been legislating for over 200 years... do we NEED any more freaking laws?!
Re:do we really need more 'morality police' ? (Score:2)
I think you may be right - in a way. the kids of the 50's are now running the corporations, government and the world.
and see how WELL they've done? (...)
sigh (Score:1)
The problem is not the ESRB... (Score:2)
Re:The problem is not the ESRB... (Score:2)
Not organized? Most game stores are owned by one company (Gamestop), so they don't need to have a collective organization, and they work closely with the ESRB (notice how their stores and magazine are covered with ESRB ads?) and have very clear policies against selling M games to minors. 90% of the games not sold by a Gamesop store are sold by an equally large
DVD (Score:2, Insightful)
Games have been around for a short while compared to movies. Movies in the beginning went through the whole "they are evil and will corrupt our children" phase already. Been there, done that. Games haven't finished with it and it looks like they still have a ways
If only the gov't forced RFID tags for ALL . . . (Score:1)
If the government forced everyone to have an RFID tag implanted, then you could be readily identified by scanners so everyone can tell what information has been deemed "good" or "appropriate" for you as determined by the government. Have the FCC/FTC take over "voluntary" ratings programs and voila!
Make the parents responsible (Score:3, Interesting)
Hell yes.
Would I let my child buy and play a game like GTA: San Andreas?
Hell no.
Who should be responsible if my child is able to purchase and play GTA: San Andreas?
Me (the parent).
Its too easy for parents to blame others for not raising or supervising their children properly. Let the school teach them Sex Education. Let the FTC to lobby to Congress to prevent the sales of violent video games to children. Too bad they don't do the same with religion, or else we might have a few more open-minded people running this place in the next few decades.
Tangent aside, the parents should ultimately be the ones responsible for what their child does. That's the way it is in other areas now. If my child goes out and buys a video game and plays it in my house without me knowing, there is a serious issue there. Maybe they can hide it for a day, but I care about my children to get involved with what they are doing. I care enough to want to protect them from violence until they are old enough to handle it. I play violent video games, but I never do it with or in front of my children. If they want to play something with me, I break out Sim City 4 or something like that.
I'm not saying there shouldn't be a law against the sale of rated M games to minors. I think there should be restrictions on that the same way that a 15 year old cannot get into a rated R movie without a guardian, or into a NC-17 movie at all. What I am saying is that the parents need to stop relying on other people to decide what is best for their children. One day you might realize that all that stuff that they taught your child isn't the best for them, or you. Too late Mom and Dad, you already screwed it up by then.
Re:Make the parents responsible (Score:2)
Re:Make the parents responsible (Score:2)
Re:Make the parents responsible (Score:2)
Doesn't sound like you are a parent. Parents learning to deal with it, in my opinion, is the same thing I suggested above. They need to teach their own children the difference between right and wrong, good and bad.
However, a small child doesn't necessarily have that distinction. At a very young age, the don't understand that what t
Did you know you could buy stuff on the internet?? (Score:3, Interesting)
Such statements indicate that Rep Schakowsky is either totally clueless and incompetent or just fear mongering and will say anything to look "pro-family" and not at all concerned with real problems.
shocking! (Score:1)
Government Bureaucracy requests more powers... (Score:1)
In other news... (Score:2)
In other news... (Score:2)
Quit wasting time! (Score:2)
The dichotomy is sickening. These nanny-state loving goons can all go to hell, as far as I'm concerned, and they will.
Translation: (Score:2)
Simple evolution folks. Any government that didn't try to amass power would die out and be replaced with one which does.
GTA bashing - feh (Score:2)
"HEY KIDS! Now you can beat the snot out of hoes - right in your own living room!
Be the first on your block to collect all the pimps and drug dealers you can get in YOUR gang's territory!
Got catch-em ALL!"
Why the "undercover" surveys? (Score:2)
Anyway, this survey proves just about as much as one saying that minors are allowed into PG-13 rated movies without accompanying adults.
How about this. (Score:2)
Give us libertarian types, say, western Oregon, as in independent nation.
We'll let people do what they like as long as they don't hurt each other or the environment. I'm strongly tempted to outlaw religion in the government, just to simplify things. Hm, and make religious indoctrination of minors cause for divorcing parents, but ZING! let's let that lie. (Though I'd wonder what a nation running on the Golden Rule [masochists excepted] would develop into. Probably a nice place to live.) Cults
How is this legal? (Score:2)
If someone could spell this out with a straight face I'd be surprised.