Silver, Lentol, Pheffer Announce Assembly Passage Of Bill
Banning The Sale Of Violent Video Games To Minors

Legislation Establishes Advisory Council To Examine Video Game Rating System

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Codes Committee Chair Joseph Lentol and Consumer Affairs and Protection Committee Chair Audrey Pheffer today announced the passage of legislation to prohibit the sale of video games that couple depraved violence and indecent sexual images to minors.

"Psychological experts have concluded that violent video games can desensitize players to the real-life consequences of violent actions. This legislation will protect our youngsters from being exposed to the detrimental impact of violent video games that promote depraved violence and brutalize and demean human beings," said Silver.

"This bill will provide parents with a peace of mind knowing that the video games their children are purchasing are free of violence and nudity and are truly safe forms of entertainment," said Lentol.

"More and more research from some of the nation's leading psychological authorities shows that interactive video games can be more harmful than violent television programs and that repeated exposure to violent video games can cause players to act aggressively. This legislation is long overdue when you consider the negative impact violent video games can have on children," said Pheffer.

Silver, Lentol and Pheffer noted that not only would the bill (A.8696, Lentol) prohibit the sale of violent video games to minors, but it also would require that game consoles be equipped so that parents can program the consoles to block video content they believe is inappropriate for their child.

Under the bill, violators could face a class E felony charge of up to four years in prison. The legislation also would establish an advisory council on interactive media and youth violence that would review the Entertainment Software Rating Boards' (ESRB) rating system; examine how interactive media and other forms of electronic entertainment affect minors; look into the feasibility of establishing a parent-teacher violence awareness program to ensure greater understanding among parents and teachers about students who may be vulnerable toward violent behavior; and develop effective intervention programs against youth violence through public education and advocacy efforts.