For immediate release
February 20, 2009                         

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Common Sense Media CEO and Founder James Steyer released the following statement on the 9th Circuit Court of California’s decision to uphold the U.S. District Court’s 2007 ruling to strike down California’s violent video game law.

“We are disappointed with the 9th Court’s decision, as well as its rejection of the prolific research connecting violent video games to aggressive behavior,” Steyer said. “Every week new games are released that kids can access on and offline. Parents need all of the help they can get to keep track of what is available and to prevent overtly violent content from falling into the hands of kids who are too young to handle it. 

“If Governor Schwarzenegger decides to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, it will be up to the nation’s highest body to decide exactly how to define ‘violence’ in video games, and how––if at all––violent media should be regulated at a national level. In the meantime, parents continue to be the first line of defense and they need to be vigilant about making sure the games their kids are playing are age-appropriate.”

For more information about choosing appropriate video games for kids, visit http://www.commonsensemedia.org/gaming-tips.

About Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media is the nation's leading nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving the impact of media and entertainment on kids and families. Common Sense Media provides trustworthy ratings and reviews of media and entertainment based on child development criteria created by leading national experts. For more information, visit www.commonsensemedia.org.

 
Press Contacts:
Marisa Connolly
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