House members call for new labels warning against 'violent' video games

Reps. Joe Baca (D-Calif.) and Frank Wolf (R-Va.) on Monday introduced a bill that would require most video games to bear a warning label that says, "WARNING: Exposure to violent video games has been linked to aggressive behavior."

The Violence in Video Games Labeling Act, H.R. 4204, is a reaction to what the two members say is increasing evidence that playing violent games can have a serious, long-lasting impact on children, which should require a health warning to consumers.

"The video game industry has a responsibility to parents, families and to consumers — to inform them of the potentially damaging content that is often found in their products," Baca said. "They have repeatedly failed to live up to this responsibility.

"Just as we warn smokers of the health consequences of tobacco, we should warn parents — and children — about the growing scientific evidence demonstrating a relationship between violent video games and violent behavior," Wolf said. "As a parent and grandparent, I think it is important people know everything they can about the extremely violent nature of some of these games."

Their bill would require the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), within 180 days of the bill's passage, to release rules that require most games rated by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board to bear the warning label. The label would have to appear on any game — regardless of whether it is considered violent or not — that is rated "E" for everyone, "E10+" for everyone 10 and older, "T" for teen, "M" for mature or "A" for adult.

The only games excluded from the requirement are those rated "EC," which stands for "early childhood" and applies to games meant for children ages 3 and up.

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