Digital News Report – Today, the US Supreme Court ruled against the California Violent Video Game Ban for Minors legislation, because they said it violates the US Constitution’s right to freedom of speech. This has left the Parent Television Council advocacy group disappointed by the ruling.
The 2005 law passed in California, restricted the sale or rental of violent video games to minors. The Supreme Court said that they could not change the rules of freedom of speech for a particular medium. Books and other works do not have restrictions for selling to minors; therefore, video games should not be restricted.
Parent Television Council President, Tim Winter said in a statement, “When an industry trade group files a federal lawsuit to defend a child’s constitutional rights, the alarm bells should be deafening. It is hard to imagine a more cynical proposition. Sadly, today’s ruling proves the United States Supreme Court heard the video game industry loud and clear, but turned a deaf ear to concerned parents. The Court has provided children with a Constitutionally-protected end-run on parental authority.”
By: Jael Kirk