COMMENTARY | After the Supreme Court ruled they cannot ban the sale of violent video games to minors and that games will not be considered exempt from First Amendment protection, Oklahoma Rep. William Fourkiller decided the next best thing would be to tax violent video games.
Fourkiller believes a 1 percent tax on violent video games would decrease child obesity and bullying. Games taxed would have to rated by the ESRB with a rating of Teen, Mature, or Adult Only. Yes, under this law games rated by the ESRB as Teen would be considered just as bad as an Adult Only game.
During his attempt to gain backing for the proposed tax, Fourkiller referred to a crime where a police officer was killed and had his car stolen. “I believe after hours and hours of watching the screen, playing the video game, being that person and taking on that role, people get desensitized,” Fourkiller told KFOR Channel 4. For some odd reason, it would seem Fourkiller believes that the act of grand theft auto is always directly related to the video game Grand Theft Auto.
The money earned with the tax would be put toward two children’s programs targeting obesity and bullying. One supposedly has an emphasis on promoting outdoor education and nature. The other would go toward preventing bullying in Oklahoma schools. At least Fourkiller’s intentions appear noble in nature. Of course he’s a politician and that’s exactly what he’s going for.
Laws like this really upset me, especially when video games are causing no more damage to children than movies or music. If a child acts out violently, it’s the parents fault for not raising them better. Simple as that. It’s not that hard to teach your child how to act like a decent member of society. Hopefully Oklahoma comes to the same conclusion. The proposed law has yet to receive a hearing.
I have a serious question. Wouldn’t it make more sense to tax Happy Meals from McDonalds or all fast food children’s meals in general ? If anything, they are more likely to desensitize children and promote obesity and bullying.