The results of a survey from polling firm Zogby International claims that 72% of US adults want a ban on the sale of violent video games to minors.

The survey polled 2100 adults, of which 72% said they would be in support of a law that "prohibits minors from purchasing ultraviolent or sexually violent video games without parental consent."

65% of those polled said they are "concerned about the impact of ultraviolent video games on their kids," while a further 75% said they'd give the games industry "negative rating when it comes to how they protect kids from violent video games."

Hmm... we'd give the parents of kids that play violent video games without their consent a negative rating.

James Steyer, CEO of the parent watchdog group Common Sense Media, hopes these results will prompt further action and legislation by state attorneys on the matter. "We hope the [state] attorneys general will take a look at these poll results and that they'll side with families over protecting the profits of the video game industry," he said.

EA's Medal of Honor has become the latest target of mainstream press for its controversial option to play as a Taliban soldier in the game's multiplayer mode.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/ar ... ?id=264610

So... 28% don't give a stuff really?

If they have age ratings then that is the age required to buy them. Simples.

Agreed.

And puzzled. Why isn't this already the case?

Because there isn't anything to deter the idiot parents from buying 18 rated games for their 8 year old.

Does Britain need a giant Banhammer?

So prey tell me, what exactly does the big red 18 sticker mean? Are the "adults" suggesting a ban on selling it to minors the same adults who are buying it for minors..?

I'm pretty damned sure my local Game store wouldn't sell it to a kid. I've even heard of them refusing to sell a game to a grown woman, because the kid with her was so obviously the one going to play it. Forget who told me that, might have been someone on here.

Ignorance is bliss.

This is why adults should be forced to play computer games, to disabuse them of the belief that games are all about a spikey hedgehog collecting coins; that games are immersive, and sometimes downright violent too - both of which are good things in my book, but I don't let my kids play age-inappropriate computer games.

It is clear that the retailers here are doing it properly. So really is this an issue in this country?

As above, it's the parents doing the buying, not the kids. If parents don't want their kids watching 18-rated films, they should be the same when it comes to games.

My in-law is a bit of a Miss Apple Pie type if you now what I mean. I was at home playing GTAIV the other day when she was coming and I said to the missus "should I tell your mum I'm having sex with prostitutes then murdering them before stealing my money back", to which she said "errr.... no". I'm pretty sure she'd be horrified. Then I asked Nic "should I ask her if her son likes to do that too in the GTA game she bought her underage son?".

Even though she knew it was an 18 rated game (and had to be REALLY pushed into buying it for her son - who was 16 at the time) like many others I think they dont take the ratings too seriously. After all its only a game right?

I'm sure if she knew what was actually in the game she'd have not gotten him it. But then I guess she didnt bother to check either.

If parents think that their kids can handle the content of the game then that is a family decision. I think that the violent aspects might make them think but unless the parents check the age ratings then they should be aware that they could be stopped from buying the games.