Parents Group Denounces Supreme Court Decision

[TheSchaef]

I can almost understand the argument to broadcast TV and radio, where the signal is broadcast over open airwaves with no filter, but most of the free world has cable or satellite by now anyway, giving the parents a lot more control over access to programming.

With video games it's even more head-scratching, because you have to go out and actively purchase the game, and then bring it home and play it. It's not like you can accidentally trip over Bulletstorm during commercials in the middle of a football game.

The part I understand the least is the drive to criminalize the act. The MPAA has an agreement with movie theaters nationwide that they shall not admit a child under 17 without a parent or guardian accompanying. I'm not aware of anyplace it is enshrined as law, just an agreement between a group and an industry. How in the world can they not just do that for video games? Most 8yo kids are not going to have $70 laying around anyway, and even teenagers frequently must haul in the parent to fork over the cash for the game. So if you hit the big box stores and the Gamestops, you're covering 80% of the resellers, where 80% of the shoppers there are going to be emancipated adults anyway. So how do you pass up the chance to make at least 2/3 of the "selling God of War to my third grader" problem vanish instantly without passing a single law?

It's not like the Gamestop employees are lurking in the back of the store with a trench coat, opening it for little Johnny to show off Gears of War and Silent Hill, and going "What're ya buyin'? What're ya sellin'?" and trying to push them off on kids ... at least, no more than they do with the adults But seriously, I imagine most will ask the first common sense question, "Where's your mommy?" and not just hand over the game like a robot.

 

[natster43]

As already said, take responsibility for your children and be a PARENT. Decide for yourself what your child should play and stop trying to make the government do it for you.

 

[Aenir]

They see me trollin'...

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

Spoiler: I think that such an illogical, incorrect, one-sided and generally ignorant argument deserves only one response

[HEADING=1]U Mad?[/HEADING]​

In all seriousness, I find it ironic that they are saying "The government has taken awawy the parent's power to buy their games!" When the entire point of the law was for the government to be able to decide what games kids can and can't buy. So in reality, their argument is "PARENTS have to do the parenting? That's the government's job!"

That confuses me. All the decision means is that a parent or guardian must buy a child a M+ rated game. The power is in the parents' hands. Bad argument is bad.
OP: You know what I was thinking off every time he opened his mouth?
At least make valid arguments that don't contradict the actual ruling.

 

[BenzSmoke]

Stop trying to parent other people's kids!

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

Sorry Mr. Irresponsible Parent and FOX "News" but the facts are in and that is YOU HAVE LOST! It doesn't matter what you say anymore you can present all the little "studies" you want but the SCOTUS has ruled in favor of us. So you can shut up and go be the parents you're supposed to be and not be like Sheila Broflovski.

 

[duchaked]

the "authority of the parents" should be just that...parents control what their kids are buying
end of story...

also note: it's called "PARENTING"
give it a try

 

[Yureina]

Parent more, cry less? I think applies in this situation?

As much as I hate the expression "cry more"... yes, I think that applies quite well.

 

[WouldYouKindly]

This group can fuck right off. It's on your head what video games your child plays. You are far more to blame than anyone else for what your kids play. It's not like it's difficult to figure out if the kid is playing something you don't want him to.

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

OH noes, now parents have to be responsible for themselves! Think of the children!

NOOOOOOOO!!!

Really though, just be a better parent. You are scapegoating a media just so you don't have to be responsible. (WO)MAN UP!

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Dear Parents Television Council,

May I suggest that you have a chat with your parents?

Ask them what they were doing when they were the same age as you are now.

Were they railing against the medical horrors of Operation, the exploitative Monopoly or the barbaric G.I.Joe?

Or were they playing games with their children, taking them to the park at times and hugging them when they got upset?

Because the Government can't do the latter for you. That's your job.

And failing in that is going to harm your precious little angel far more than any pixellated blood.

Yours sincerely,

Root.

 

[Jumplion]

I want someone respected in this industry to call them out on their inane idiocy and their incredibly faulty logic. They did jack shit on their research, using their lovely buzz words to cause up a fit for no reason whatsoever.

I know it's been said, but, you know, do your damn job as parents!

 

[Whytewulf]

I don't see why there couldn't be a law restricting resllers from selling specific material to underage patrons. I agree parents need to do their job, but in the end, movie theatres do it, why can't you just tell resellers not to. I understand many of the US retailers still have a policy in place, but the govn't can't fine them for breaking their own internal rules. Maybe thats enough. Let's not go overboard yelling at parents who are asking for help. And really thats how I see it. They want to monitor their kids, but don't want to over parent, but so much is accesable these days. I honestly think it's gotta be tough being a parent, if one thing you want to have your kids not get access to things like this. Unfortunatley this group makes outrageous statements that makes the issues of real concerned parents. No one party speaks for everyone.

 

[Geeky Anomaly]

Seriously?? How about you BE a fucking parent, since you say you are. If your 12 year old kid is sly enough to get their hands on $65, and find a way to buy and PLAY an M rated game without you ever finding out, then props to your kid. He's gonna go places in life for being independent at a young age and thinking outside the box.

 

[Raregolddragon]

My mom and dad did not let me play an FPS till I was 16. Up till then I was only allowed to play Nintendo games like Mario 64 or RPG like the early Final Fantasy or stuff like Golden Sun.

AKA my parents parented me.

Also I am kinda glad I missed out on all crappy 90s shooters. I now get to play all the good 90s stuff thanks to Steam and roms.

 

[MetallicaRulez0]

Maybe I'm just missing something here, but can't parents still decide what not to buy for their children? I mean, M-rated games still aren't purchasable by minors without parental consent in the United States, right?

Someone help me understand why this matters. Parents are outraged because they have to actually be parents?

 

[icame]

Being a group of parents and all how about you, I don't know, RAISE YOUR CHILD. That includes deciding what media is appropriate for him, not the governments you ignorant cunts.