Legal Niches

Evangelical Leader: Some Games Are Okay. Others, Not So Much...

By gamepolitics

Rev. James Dobson, the politically influential, evangelical leader of nonprofit group Focus on the Family, has given a green light to some video games while offering warnings about violent content and possible game addiction in regard to others.

Dobson's comments appeared in his newspaper column in response to a question from a parent about their son's video gaming:

Depending on the particular games in question, you may have a valid cause for concern... two University of Michigan researchers concluded in 2007 that violent media, including television, film and video games, pose a significant public health threat...

Furthermore, some video games add unhealthy sexual themes and profanity to the mix, not to mention that the American Medical Association estimates one in 10 video gamers is addicted.

Of course, not all video games are problematic. Certain sports games, for instance, can be loads of fun. Some can even be educational...

I'd advise you to put clear limits on the amount of time your son will be allowed to spend with video games... Insist he avoid the troublesome ones altogether...

GP: Dobson is referring to the 2007 Huesmann-Bushman study.

Full post as published by GamePolitics.com on June 13, 2009 (boomark / email).