Industry must lessen the 'obscene levels of violence' in games, says US Senator

maybe just make it more obvious to parents that there are parental controls in games to control the violence, problem solved.

Ignore him, this is literally just him trying to have a last political hoorah because he's finally running against someone set to kick his ass at the polls, thank god

Just shut up, please... It's getting old.

What we should lessen is the obscene number of voters voting for retards.

Great Video! The U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller should watch it like 100 times and afterwards repeat parents parent parents.......

There are multiple solutions to prevent kids from playing "violent" games. When my parents weren't home, they would unplug my gaming console and hide the cords,until they got home from work. It's simple as that, I just don't get it. Plus they have set-ups on consoles to prevent your kid from accessing content like that. It's just straight up ignorance. I mean really blame video games? What about movies and shows. I mean do we have to calm that down. Senator we don't live in a fairy tale land. Violence just happen, you can't stop it.

Violence? hmmm...like in Guantanamo?

It's just doesn't make sense, so they leave the gangs that are scattered around like ants killing people each day and go after games and gamers?  is it because that they think these are an easy target , that they'll feel better that they finally accomplished something IF they succeed ? hey hey HEY, we are gamers we are trained to use unusual and "unrealistic" weapons i could just blast you with my unicorn rainbow blaster, i'll think twice if i was you, go back to the gangs  problems and let them keep pawning you ,you noobs.

the "code of the gamer" says we should slap your face...and kill people.

Man i got tired of making fun of them in the previous article...

lol  "deranged" gamer damn these politicians are funny.

Reducing the number of raging douchebags in online games would reduce the stress levels of the adult population old enough to play these games.

Meanwhile in the middle-east, the executive branch murders another group of "terrorist" (read: a gathering of more than 1 man who's skin is not white) and the US senate has the audacity to criticize gaming for it's violence.

Its unfair to use video games as a scape goat for tragic crimes like these, when violence is so prevalent in the media in general. you cant switch on the tv or watch a movie without hearing a gunshot or seeing violent acts. The bottom line is shootings like this could easily be avoided if these children didn't have access to guns in the first place.

I believe the abundance of guns in the U.S, paired with the lack of appropriate supervision when it comes to the media content parents expose their children to is an accident waiting to happen. again.

This guy again? (although I have to note that the only reason I remember him is that god-awful in-motion picture...) 

So parents are overworked and stressed. I see, it might be nice if that was fixed. I know stress is a very serious issue, but it's the responsibility of the parent to protect their children from content that's not suitable for their age. 

At the same time, I agree that children have much more access to media now than in the past and that it's more difficult to monitor what they see because of this. Smartphones are a good example, I guess. Video games are NOT. They do actually have to go out and buy those, you know. They have to spend money. And sadly, despite how overworked and stressed parents are, they need to know what their kids are playing. Saying that's an 'unrealistic expectation' because of an apparently screwed up system is really just turning this around to place the blame on video games. Politicians. Meh.

Guns are the problem, games are the problem, music is the problem, tight waist bands on underpants are the problem.

It makes me sad that we keep fixating on single element solutions.  If all it took was a video game, everyone on this site would be out killing people and... gasp... we're not.  Heaven forbid we take a multiple element approach, because then politicians would actually have to think through legislation and platforms, and journalists would have to get more creative with headlines.

Well, I guess then expecting parents (overworked & stressed as they are) to know their kid & at-least have a tiny bit of an idea of what is going on in their head & providing them professional mental care when needed would be just as "unrealistic" wouldn't it?!

Oh I forgot, its easier to blame the growing art form of which you have absolutely no comprehension whatsoever.

You could really utilize your time better sir!

So the bill is to have various government entities "call on" the National Academy of Sciences to do a study!?  The NAS doesn't have to do it and doesn't get money to do it??  If this bill goes through, I expect the NAS will simply send copies of studies already done back to the FCC/FTC/HSS.  Much ado about nothing.

American society must lessen the 'obscene levels of stupidity' in the senate, says everybody.

"In today?s world, where kids can access content across a variety of devices often without parental supervision, it is unrealistic to assume that OVERWORKED and STRESSED parents can prevent their kids from viewing inappropriate content," Rockefeller said.  --emphasis mine

So if congress could reduce stress levels and increase the economic conditions of this country problem would be solved.  Oh that would require you to do your job.

It's not realistic to expect parents not to go to a game shop, buy a game with a rating that they claim 'not to understand' to bypass their parenting duties of 'Well go and find out then!  Those guns on the cover aren't celery sticks,' and give it to their children?  Or not to give them their credit card details?

Well I never.

"The only real solution is for the entertainment industry to reduce the often obscene levels of violence in the products they sell," So basically, the only "real solution" is one that won't happen because we have the first amendment. Great work, Mr. Senator, you've solved it. I'm glad you're being paid a lot of money to focus on not actually solving real problems.

In another article, the senator mentions that "Parents, pediatricians, and psychiatrists know better," in regards to the fact that the studies that have been done have shown that violent video games have no violent behavior effects on children. In fact, the kids who didn't play the video games were more prone to violence. Yes, Mr. Senator,  let's ignore the results that have been shown through scientific research and studies and go with your gut feeling, because you're clearly an expert in child behavior.

Why is it unrealistic to expect parents to raise their children right? Also, most devices nowadays that allow you to access media have parameters in place so that you can limit what type of content the viewer sees. You can do this for your computer, your video game console, your TV, your DVD player, just about everything, really. And it's not that hard to figure this stuff out. In fact, most of the companies for these devices make a note of it in some way in their advertising of their product. But, I bet you either didn't know that, or try to avoid that it's actually a thing. /my2cents

Hey Senator, how about you focus on fixing the damn budget and the federal deficit first? Hm? Oh, wait, I forgot. Politicians don't really tackle the real problems. Silly me.

Nice try using the obscenity exemption to the First Amendment (thanks SCotUS /sarcasme), but violence in media doesn't fall under it. Stories like this are why so many rednecks accuse Democrats of wanting a nanny state.

It wasn't a score sheet it was a recipe, because he was a chef! Check your facts senator and start placing blame where it needs to be.... the culinary arts

It's called Freedom of Speech, you F*ck! The First Amendment. Ever hear of it?

Yet another politician using this tragedy as his soapbox....that's what's obscene here! Always "For the children!" and "We must protect the children!" and now "Parents are unfit to protect their children so we must do it for them!" Ignorant morons...

The senate fails to see that movies, books, audio, and the Internet in general provides youth with "obscene levels of violence." It's in all media yet games are the focus.

Let's just do a trade. You lower the amount of violence and we'll raise the level of sexuality and cursory.

It's unrealistic for a parent to do their job??? That's a new one...Next on CNN, government declares parents are unfit to be parents.

I think these guys are the ones being unrealistic, believing the fairy tale that the Sandy Hook shooter was trying to score points according to the non-existent gamer code...

Its the parents fault for buying the game for their children without even considering why PEGI slapped an 18 rating on the packaging

Senator: It's "unrealistic" that parents can prevent children from viewing inappropriate content...."

Senator: But we, your government, can!

Yeah like government enforced morality that has ever worked out without the barrel of a gun behind it has...

Damn seems there catching on to me, now they know that video games produce killers and murderers. 

It's only a matter of time before LSPD (Los Santos Police Department) finds me.... or worse Agent 47.

Honestly this story is ridiculous the thought of some eighty year old who can get his rocks off but somehow demonizes my form of entertainment is just crazy.

I've played games as far back as I can remember but never once did I have the thought of going and just killing people. 

If anything the video games detoured me from becoming a killer lmao.

Honestly playing a violent video game for me helps take my anger out in a healthier way, and it's more satisfying than punching a pillow. 

Just a matter of opinion in all reality but much like anything your bound to have bad apples out of the bunch.

An example would be senators and higher officials engaging with prostitutes, and the list goes on, but you don't see people boycotting higher power. 

Wait second thought we couldn't anyways because every inch we take the government grasps that much tighter their grip upon our throats.

You can tell this guy knows absolutely nothing about video games. 

Anyone can limit what their children play, but there is even a limit to that. Kids can get access through friends or relatives. And even watching gameplay is good enough for some people. There is no shortage of Call of Duty on Youtube.

The people who make violent video games are the source of the problem. Assuming parents have jobs and responsibilities besides baby sitting, it is impossible to monitor when there is no one to keep watch.

I am a 36 year old black male who father was in the Air Force for 20 years the first game system I play was Atari 2600 I was 6 years old when I started and now my 2 boys and even my baby girl play I never been in jail I don't want to go up to someone and  break they  back like Sam Fisher.I keep my kids busy with sports and school activities they only play during the weekend I keep them busy during the week because I don't want to give time to do anything bad they are too  tired do anything.Is he  related to the Rockefeller family like John D Rockefeller?