1129 E 960 S #23
Provo, UT 84606
April 2, 2012
Senator Hatch
8402 Federal Building
125 South State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84138
Dear Senator Hatch:
I am writing you to ask for your assistance in making changes to the current laws that exist on the selling of violent video games to minors. Currently there is no age restriction for the purchasing of violent video games and as a result many minors without parental consent can purchase violent video games that are rated M for mature. The playing of these violent video games has been shown in several studies nation-wide to cause increased aggression, desensitization, a lack of empathy and a lack of prosocial behavior. These effects that come from playing violent video games have led to an increase in violent action among those who play them.
Increased aggression, and ultimately an increase in violent activity as a result of playing violent video games is an epidemic that is sweeping the nation. Many minors do not understand the effects of violent video game play, and many parents have a hard time monitoring or screening video games because much of the violence and other lewd behavior that occurs in these games worsens the longer an individual plays and advances in the game. This requires that parents would have to play the video game for hours in order to properly screen for the things their child could be exposed to. Parents also have a hard time monitoring the games their children are playing because their children have easy access to purchase these games without their knowledge.
We currently have a rating system, and laws in place prohibiting minors from viewing rated R films without parental consent. The effects of violent video games have been proved to be as severe as or more severe than that of watching violence in movies. In order to protect our minors from the media they are exposed to certain laws need to be put into place to prohibit the selling of these violent video games to minors. Having laws which prohibit the selling of these games to minors unless given parental permission would limit the exposure of minors to violence and would lower the violent activity that would occur as a result, but would still allow the general public to have the freedom of purchasing such games if they desired. Making such changes and instituting such laws would be in the best interest of the Citizens of Utah as well as the American Public. As the Senator of Utah I am asking you Senator Hatch to consider the facts I have presented to you today and the need for such laws to be put into place. Not making these changes would be irresponsible and would only cause further harm to our community as a whole. A change needs to occur, and only someone in your position can make these changes. Please consider this issue one of upmost importance.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Alexis Hess
