Rockefeller reintroduces bill to study impact of violence on kids

U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller, has reintroduced his bill requiring the National Academy of Sciences to study the impact of violent content, including video games and video programming, on children.

“Fully examining how violence in the media and video games affects children’s well-being, as this bill would do, will help make sure Congress is doing everything it can to address violence in our communities,” Rockefeller said. 

“Throughout my career, I have strongly supported this kind of research to better inform our work on violent acts, and I will push for this bill to be part of any comprehensive plan to improve protections against gun violence and safeguard our children,” he said. 

If passed, the Violent Content Research Act of 2013 would instruct the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a comprehensive study and investigation of the connection between violent video games and violent video programming and harmful effects on children.

Specifically examined would be whether violent video games and programming cause kids to act aggressively or have other harmful effects, and whether the effect is distinguishable from other types of media. 

It also would look at the direct and long-lasting impact of violent content on a child’s well-being.

With respect to violent video games, the National Academy of Sciences would look at whether current or emerging aspects of games, like their interactive nature and the personal and vivid way violence is portrayed, have a unique impact on kids.  

They would be asked to recommend areas for future research and would be required to submit a report on its investigation within 15 months to Congress as well as to the Federal Trade Commission, Federal Communications Commission and Department of Health & Human Services.