Rockefeller Introduces Violence Bill Draft

Says court decisions suggest need for additional congressional 'groundwork' on effects of violent video games and other content

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/19/2012 11:01:49 AM

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D- W. Va.) introduced a draft of a bill on Wednesday to study the impact of violent video content, including video games and programming, on children, with a particular emphasis on video games.

B&C/Multichannel News reported on Tuesday that the Senator had circulated the draft, which directs the National Academy of Sciences to report to Congress, the FCC and Federal Trade Commission on the impact of violent video on kids' development and wellbeing.

"As chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, I have introduced legislation to direct the National Academy of Sciences to investigate the impact of violent video games and other content on children's well-being," Rockefeller said in a statement.

"Recent court decisions demonstrate that some people still do not get it," he said. "They believe that violent video games are no more dangerous to young minds than classic literature or Saturday morning cartoons. Parents, pediatricians, and psychologists know better. These court decisions show we need to do more and explore ways Congress can lay additional groundwork on this issue. This report will be a critical resource in this process. I call on my colleagues to join to me in passing this important legislation quickly."

That would appear to be a shot at the Supreme Court, which last year struck down California's ban on the sale of violent video games to minors, in which the court references classic fairy tales -- Cinderella, Snow White, Hansel & Gretel -- for their violence.