Tories to clamp down on PC games

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

The Conservatives say "long-term generational change" is needed to fight crime - not a "knee-jerk" response.
Policies to curb violent video games, encourage responsible parenting, and improve schooling could be considered by the Tories, David Cameron said.

**********

Mr Cameron described Labour's approach to crime as "one-dimensional", instead of focussing on "broader" issues.

"We are never going to deal with crime unless we look at the broader context and say 'Yes, tough laws, strong action on the police, but also action to strengthen our society'.

"And that includes, I think, video games and things like that where we do need to think of the context in which people are growing up."

Full article here- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6966352.stm


So does anyone else agree that (beyond the existing BBFC classification system) we need more restrictions on games? Or shall we just have a good laugh at this panicky swerve to the right?

[Lorizael]

I think encouraging responsible parenting is far more useful than restricting video games. Responsible parents, who know their children and are a part of their children's lives, should be able to accurately judge what sorts of entertainment (including video games) are best suited for their children. The government can't.

[Cort Haus]

Yes, there were no social problems before video games.

[Caligastia]

What are the policies to curb violent video games? If they're just slapping labels on them I don't see a problem with that.

[lord of the mark]

CH

They put a tax on gin, in part as response to Hogarts "Gin Lane", no?

So are you implying youd be cool with a tax on violent video games, as a means of social control?

OTOH thats sounds more new Labourish, not something the Tories would do, right?

Soon you guys will be wishing you had Hilary instead of whomever you're getting.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Lorizael
I think encouraging responsible parenting is far more useful than restricting video games.

That's just crazy talk, Lorizael. Europe is the land of the Nanny state after all.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by lord of the mark
Soon you guys will be wishing you had Hilary instead of whomever you're getting.

Somehow I doubt it.

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (NY) today announced that she will introduce legislation to help keep inappropriate video games out of the hands of children.

http://www.senate.gov/~clinton/news/statements/details.cfm?id=240603

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Originally posted by Caligastia
What are the policies to curb violent video games? If they're just slapping labels on them I don't see a problem with that.

We already have BBFC classification on games prohibiting their sale to under 15's or under 18's depending on the certificate (the GTA series are 18 certificate, for example). It seems that's not enough for the Tories.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by lord of the mark
CH

They put a tax on gin, in part as response to Hogarts "Gin Lane", no?

So are you implying youd be cool with a tax on violent video games, as a means of social control?

OTOH thats sounds more new Labourish, not something the Tories would do, right?

Soon you guys will be wishing you had Hilary instead of whomever you're getting.

So a tax on violent movies, and violent comics and gangsta rap, and books?

This is retarded. But then again, that is par for the course with the British Tories.

[BeBMan]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
That's just crazy talk, Lorizael. Europe is the land of the Nanny state after all.

Maybe they should sell those games only to 21+ people

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Lazarus and the Gimp


We already have BBFC classification on games prohibiting their sale to under 15's or under 18's depending on the certificate (the GTA series are 18 certificate, for example). It seems that's not enough for the Tories.

God forbid that people be left to make their own decisions eh? I have to agree with you on this one.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Agathon


So a tax on violent movies, and violent comics and gangsta rap, and books?

This is retarded. But then again, that is par for the course with the British Tories.

I havent heard the Tories proposed that, its just my reaction to CH's posting Hogarths "Gin Lane" as an example of pre vid games social problems. I get where hes coming from, it just struck me as ironic, as that print was spefically an attack on a consumer product purchased by consenting adults (mainly) and which, IIUC, the state specifically undertook to respond to with a form of social engineering, not necessarily unsuccessfully.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
Somehow I doubt it.

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (NY) today announced that she will introduce legislation to help keep inappropriate video games out of the hands of children.
http://www.senate.gov/~clinton/news/....cfm?id=240603

all that was a was a proposal to force retailers to actually enforce the ESRB ratings, not to ban anything.

[DinoDoc]

Yeah God forbid she actually encourage parental responsibility.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
Yeah God forbid she actually encourage parental responsibility.

How exactly do you want her to do that? Shes done so verbally, AFAIK.

Oh wait, I forgot, you mean parental responsibility to leave a multimillion dollar inheritantce, which is to be encouraged by removing all taxes on said inheritances.

Or are you suggesting that placing MORE burdens on parents to fight the junk culture is what encourages parental responsibility, kind of the way laisses faire is good for character? Heck, lets ban ESRB ratings then, that wil FORCE parents to REALLY check what their kids are playing. Hell, lets be thankful to the purveyors of violent and semi-pornographic entertainment in general, since without them, parents would get lazy, and could spend more time engage in positive interactions with their kids, and less time saying "no". After all, its the saying no, that builds character, right? Makes parents tough, right? Instead of all that liberal huggy wuggy stuff. So lets give Rockstar and Snoopy Dogg Dogg (or whomever) Kennedy Center awards.