May 13, 2008 -
A Conservative Member of Parliament has pointed to mature-themed video games as contributing to a surge in juvenile crime in the UK, particularly among girls.As reported by the Daily Mail, MP David Ruffley (left) said:
Selling 18+ rated violent computer games such as Grand Theft Auto IV to underage children is more likely when many retailers have no fear of being caught, as my figures demonstrate.
This poor enforcement of the law is damaging to children. But I'm not surprised when officers are overwhelmed by a colossal amount of red tape.
The figures Ruffley referred to indicated that, nationwide, only eight fines had been imposed for selling mature-themed games to minors in 2006, the last year for which data is available.
Via: Next Generation
Comments
What do you expect
All the politicians need to
All the politicians need to know this one saying!!
Research is the Key!!
The youth crime surge in Britain is caused by things other than video games, such as drinking, smoking, drugs, soccer hooligans, gangs, and stupid politicians getting on their nerves.
The same can go for America but we have football hooligans not soccer, football. Besides our juvenile crime rate is at a 30 year low so what does that mean for Britain. ???
Too narrow-minded, obviously.
Where are all these girls in
Hey...how do you get rid of
I wish I knew...I asked for
From: Fake Jake Thompson
RE: Impeachment of Federal Judges
Dear George and Nancy:
Finally an issue the two of you can get together on. Please accept this as my formal and sworn request that you immediately begin impeachment proceedings against all Judges named in the New York Times article of Monday May 12, 2008. (Did I say happy mothers day, by the way? if not, I'm doing so now.)
As you both know, Judges are lawyers and have an affirmative duty to report malfesance and the article in the Times clearly states that these judges did nothing when they say perjury comitted before them. Perhaps if these Judges spent less time playing video games and more time reading the ethics rules and the bible things might be a little different in Sin City, a/k/a New York.
Lets get moving on this. I'm raring to go. And while you're both at it, can you toss in an impeachment count against Judge Dava Tunis in Miami? I'd really appreciate it. I'll fill your counsel in on the details. I'm sure you will both be shocked and chagrined.
Anyway, this should be a fun way for George to serve out his term. Did I mention I'm available to serve as attorney general? Just a thought.
I hereby swear by all the wonders of the universe that every single thing written in this letter is gosh darn true.
Fake Jake Thompson, Gadfly and Esq.
Step 1: Sex change
Step 2: Stop shaving
Step 3: Wait 15 years, preferrably somewhere in the Balkans to develop the accent
Step 4: Arrive in america illegally & try to help your cousin
Step 5: CRIME!!!
His actual words don't link videogames to violence at all, please read the article before commenting!
"It are fact! I know because of my learnings." >:[
Szerintem a GTA uj jateka nagyon jo!!!!!!! es egyaltalan nem veszelyes.
He doesn't link video games to violence at all.
Gamepolitics, are you resorting to sensationalism?
Despite the fact that the ratings ARE legally enforced in the UK:-
'Despite an explosion in games with content suitable for over-18s only not a single person received a caution for supplying violent video games and DVDs to someone underage. Only eight fines were imposed.'
The system either works inconceivably well, or it's buggered.
The article is about an increase of 25% of crime commited by girls in the UK and the mail tagged on a piece about the enforcement of the sale of violent games to kids. Dennis is just spinning the article to further an agenda.
Everytime I buy a film, game or anything in any store in the UK, I get ID'd.
Hell, I visit the same corner shop 4 or 5 times a week, and they ID me everytime.
Why?
Because the deterrent of heavy fines and losing licences is enough to force shops to ask for ID.
Look at the Next Generation article that was cited as the source,
http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10424&...
nowhere in that artice does it suggest that video games are causing a rise in crime in fact its very clear that the MP is talking about the enforcement of the law regarding selling games to kids.
I for one see no problem with enabling the police to uphold the law currently in place. I agree that they have too much red tape to get through in order to get anything done and it has resulted in less time spent on the streets enforcing the law.
18+ rated games shouldnt be sold to kids, end of story.
Oh no sory, the guy's a conservativem he doesn't need proof. He just BELIEVES.
That's not a get-out-of-scorn-free card for him. His "research" for his claim that the age restrictions are not being enforced is based on the number of fines imposed. He assumes that because not many fines are being imposed, the law is not being enforced. He does not appear to consider the perfectly logical alternative that retailers simply aren't breaking the law on any significant scale, and therefore are not getting fined.
It makes about as much sense as this hypothetical conversation:
Illogical MP: The increasing number of leprechauns in Britain is a serious problem.
Rational Person: I haven't seen any leprechauns at all.
Illogical MP: That's how you know they're there!
its not about videogames.. :S
I don't about video games, but Star Wars is the cause of this violent crime, amirite?
This is just shoddy reporting by the Daily Mail, and the MP allowing himself to be quoted in this context shows he agrees.
~~All Knowledge is Worth Having~~
Read the last 4 paragraphs in The Daily article.
If you "already did", and still don't see it. Do it again.
@The article:
I think Balance called it out the best.
[sarcasm]
Things are just going TOO smoothly for MP David Ruffley. Of course, the crime rate isn't down (that would only make sense). The reality is that it just isn't being reported! The lack of police reports couldn't possibly be due to game stores actually making sure that they're doing the job right, and that the 'crime' rate really IS that low. Nope, it's really at an all time HIGH, and we must SAVE THE CHILDREN!
[/sarcasm]
Genius. I wish I could apply that logic to different aspects of my life....no wait, I don't. It would make my life HORRIBLE.
(BTW, I lurved that mockery of a photo the daily used in the article. They couldn't find a picture of actual misbehaving girls, even though they spend an entire article making it out to be a huge problem? :P)
What I'm claiming is that the GP headline is totally false
The video game angle on this story is "An MP reckons enforcement of BBFC ratings for video games is down" thats it.
What does GP pull out of his arse?
"A Conservative Member of Parliament has pointed to mature-themed video games as contributing to a surge in juvenile crime in the UK, particularly among girls."
Uh hu.
Oh and yes, the headline doesn't really match the story. Seriously GP, don't get carried away.
Gift.
I see you are English, then. No worries, I got a friend over here who moved here with his family from England when he was 5 years old.
[Forrest Gump]
And that's all I have to say about that.
[/Forrest Gump]
Mr. Ruffley, enough is enough. Enough said.
I think David Ruffley needs to take some critical thinking classes.
These politicians don't seem to understand that most parents don't care how violent their kids games are as long as the games keep the kids out of their hair for a few hours. THAT'S why kids get hold of mature-themed games. It's not like there's a vast conspiracy of shop-assistants selling these games to kids. There probably IS a vast conspiracy - of PARENTS who want to keep their kids quiet using any means possible.
I've not had encounters with the Age-Check for a good long time, at 36, I barely even notice ratings these days, but what is more interesting is the way the facts are presented. A real example of lies, damn lies and statistics.
"BUY MY BOOK!" "BUY MY BOOK!" "I WAS ON 60 MINUTES (AND YOU WEREN'T)" .... oh wait this article's not about him, nevermind. :P
yeah, SSDD.
Incidentally, the actual info came from Vernon Coaker, who said that "information on the number of recorded offences of retailers selling video games or DVDs to underage customers is not collected centrally." So not only does this have nothing to do with rising crime rates, but the irrelevant sixteen-month-old data isn't even restricted to gaming mediums! I'd wager dollars to DVDs that this has more to do with some high-schoolers trying to get their hands on the Criterion edition of The Godfather than with Liberty City.
Fangamer
That is freaking awesome I love weird stories like that. I mean, I hate FOX news but if this actually happened, then thank you FOX you made my day.
crime and Rock em Sock em Robots. Or G.I. Joe those were violent toys and games. I'll tell you why.......Politicians need a scapegoat. Other than a failed presidential run and video games what is Joe Leiberman famous for?