October 2000 • Post-Assembly Edition • Dallas
AAFP targets violent video games
The Congress of Delegates tangled with the nitty gritty of video games during its Sept. 18-20 meeting.
Some studies say exposure to violent video games may increase aggressive behavior and hostility. Delegates considered a resolution saying the Interactive Digital Software Association has created a voluntary rating system for video and computer games.
Alternate delegate Christine Petty, M.D., of Rockford, Ill., told the delegates, "I'm the mother of a teenager; I don't play video games; I was totally unaware a rating system exists."
She said there is some evidence that youngsters who've engaged in violence had previously isolated themselves playing video games. "We need to be the first national medical society to support this rating system," Petty told the delegates. They agreed.
They asked the AAFP to encourage members to tell parents about the system. Delegates also put the Academy on record backing efforts to:
- increase the label size of the rating notice on videos and computer games;
- ask retailers to enforce the voluntary rating system that prohibits minors from purchasing, renting or downloading games rated "mature"; and
- ask parents to monitor the purchase, use and rental of video games by their children.
FP Report is published by the AAFP News Department.
Copyright © 2000 by American Academy of Family Physicians.
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