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Banning of video games
The following is an editorial on the banning of video games. Be forewarned, however, this editorial is about video games in general, and does not even MENTION Nintendo or GameCube. This editorial will discuss why it is a problem, the current laws, reasons for games being banned, reasons why games should NOT be banned, and how we should fix the problem. Enjoy.
Why I Chose This Topic
The reason I have chosen my topic for this editorial to be the banning of video games is because it is a growing issue across the world that must be addressed. The following are four reasons why I chose this topic:
1. It is a very interesting issue.
2. Because it is an issue than must be addressed.
3. Because people must learn that banning video games will accomplish nothing.
4. To prove once and for all that violent video games DO NOT make violent kids.
Why Is It A Problem?
Why is banning video games such a big problem? Well, despite the individual problems within specific countries, there are three main problems. First of all, these banning laws restrict video game development companies from selling more games. Second of all, video games sales help the economy(this issue will be discussed later on), and if the government of a country decides to ban a specific or all video games, not only does it hurt the video game companies, but the country’s economy as well.
Another reason is because if you ban a kid from buying a game in that country, they can easily import the game from another country where the game is not banned. Finally, the last main reason why banning video games is not the answer is because video games are a form of media. Some people claim video games are too violent. Once we start banning violent video games, what’s next? Movies? Books? It’s basically the same thing.
Current Laws
So you know now that there is a problem, but where are the banning laws that give examples of these supposed banned video games? The following is a list of law from countries throughout the world that have banned certain video games for whatever reason.
Enacted at the end of July of 2002, Greek Law Number 3037 explicitly forbids electronic games with "electronic mechanisms and software" from public and private places. People have already been fined tens of thousands of dollars for playing or owning games. Thousands of tourists are unknowingly facing heavy fines or long terms in prison for bringing cell phones and portable games into the country.
Saudi Arabia's highest religious authority has declared a fatwa, or religious ruling, against the cute little characters of “Pokemon” that Nintendo has made into a multibillion dollar enterprise that is enormously popular around the world. The fatwa said Pokemon video games and cards have symbols that include the Star of David, which everyone knows is connected to international Zionism and is Israel's national emblem. In Singapore, the Singapore Board of Censorships and the Ministry of Arts have banned the sale of Valve Software's “Half-Life” and all associated third-party modifications, claiming that the game contains too much violence.
Brazil's Justice Ministry has banned six computer games it considers violent, including one that it said could have motivated a medical student to go on a deadly shooting rampage in a movie theater a few years ago(this will be discussed later on). A ministry spokeswoman said police were ordered to withdraw all the copies of games “Doom“, “Mortal Kombat“, “Requiem“, “Blood“, “Postal“, and “Duke Nukem” from the stores. Vendors who disobey will be fined 20,000 reais ($11,000) per day.
In Australia, the OFLC(Office of Film and Literature Classification) has issued an “RC”, or “Refused Classification” rating for the PlayStation 2 game, “Grand Theft Auto 3”, making sale of the game illegal and causing all remaining copies to be pulled from retail. In fact, the "Refused Classification" status of “Grand Theft Auto 3” leaves retailers who continue to sell it liable for prosecution under relevant Australian State and Territory legislation.
Reasons For Games Being Banned
So now you know there are several laws in different countries around the world that have banned video games for whatever reason, but now you probably would like to know why. Well, the following are the reasons for why certain video games have been banned around the world.
First of all, there is the recent case of the government of Greece enforcing a law that prohibits the use of ANY electronic games. Platform, PC, Game Boy, even cell phone games! While they did this in an attempt to reduce illegal gambling, the broad language of the law banned ALL electronic games in the process.
Then, in Saudi Arabia, their government banned the popular video game and trading card game, “Pokemon”, because they believe the game is sacrilegious because the game contains symbols similar to the Star of David and the Freemason‘s symbol. They also believe that the trading card game is the same as gambling(which is prohibited in Islam), because children buy cards so they can trade them to get more. Then there is the government of Singapore who banned the PC game, “Half-Life”, simply because they believe the game is too violent. No other reasons were stated.
In the country of Brazil, there is the federal judge who banned 6 games that she believed is too violent and influences violence in real life. The example she is talking about refers to the case where a man walked into a movie theater and shot several people. After being taken away to jail, the shooter confirmed that he played games such as “Duke Nukem” quite often. However, after he was arrested, it was also confirmed that he was on drugs at the time of the shooting.
Finally, the government of Australia has banned all sales of the PlayStation 2 game, “Grand Theft Auto 3”. They banned it because they believe the game is too violent and encourages sexual assault They believe this because in the game you have the ability to pay a prostitute to regain your health, then get in a car and run her over and get your money back.
Reasons Why Games Should NOT Be Banned
Sure, there are several examples to justify the banning of video games, but there are plenty of examples why banning video games from children just because the games are violent is not the answer. For example, a scientist from Nihon University in Japan has revealed new research that says that playing video games increase alpha brain wave activity, which basically means it allows the gamer to be more focused, even when they are not playing a game. A similar research study showed that people who play video games “moderately” tend to have more friends and have better grades in school.
Similarly, according to research down by the ESRC(Economic and Social Research Council) in Britain, children who play video games regularly greatly increase their mental agility and overall coordination. Scientists observed that those who play games regularly seem to develop a mental state only seen before in serious athletes or professionals such as astronauts, whose lives depend on concentration and coordination.
Also, despite the drop in the economy in the U.S., video game sales have not only survived, but thrived. They have thrived because people are still scared to fly and decide to stay home. Therefore, these people need something to do at home. The answer: video games. Also, an article in an online newspaper says that video games help children learn, spell, and associate with other children. It also teaches them decision making skills, since they must decide what is appropriate for them to play and what their parents will allow.
How Should It Be Changed?
So now you’ve seen both sides of the argument, and you’re probably thinking, “So if this is such a big problem, how should we fix it?” Well, there are several things we can do to prevent such extremities as banning video games. First of all, if a game is violent, a ban would not be in the child’s best interest. They can easily find a friend who has the game and play the game at the friend’s house. If a game the child owns is violent, simply limit their play time and monitor their game selection. Doing this is the same thing as management of television privileges.
Also, only let your children play games after they’ve done their homework and chores, etc. As long as humans can make a distinction between reality and fantasy, it doesn’t matter if a game is violent. If you don’t want your kid exposed to it, simply don’t get it for him. To quote actor R. Lee Ermey(better known as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman from the movie Full Metal Jacket), “...Video games don’t cause violence. I weaned my kids on these games. If a kid’s sick, then a kid’s sick --- he’s defective. Get him some help. But games aren’t going to make anybody run out and shoot anyone.”
In conclusion, banning video games is not only not the answer, but it’s unconstitutional. Even if the banned game is not in the United States, most countries have some sort of “freedom of speech” amendment in their country’s constitution.
~ Trent
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