72 Percent of Adults Support a Ban on the Sale of Ultraviolent Video Games to Minors

Common Sense Media Releases Results of Nationwide Parent Poll on the Impact of Violent Video Games on Kids

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Common Sense Media, the national non-profit organization dedicated to helping kids and families thrive in a world of media and technology, today released the results of a nationwide parent poll that revealed nearly three-quarters of adults would support a law that prohibits minors from purchasing ultraviolent or sexually violent video games without parental consent. The video game industry has aggressively fought in court a 2005 California law banning the sale of these games. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on November 2, 2010.

“The Supreme Court’s decision is going to have a huge impact on families and kids across the country. What we’ve learned from this poll is that parents want to be the ones who decide which games their kids play, not the video game industry.”

“The results of this poll clearly show that not only do the effects of ultraviolent or sexually violent games weigh heavily on the minds of parents, but also that parents feel the video game industry is not doing enough to protect kids from accessing these games,” said James Steyer, CEO and founder, Common Sense Media. “The Supreme Court’s decision is going to have a huge impact on families and kids across the country. What we’ve learned from this poll is that parents want to be the ones who decide which games their kids play, not the video game industry.”

The poll, conducted by Zogby International, surveyed 2,100 adults from Aug. 13 through 16, 2010.

Other key findings include:

65 percent of parents say they’re concerned about the impact of ultra-violent video games on their kids

75 percent of parents would rate the video game industry negatively when it comes to how they protect kids from violent video games.

• More than half of both parents and adults in general would go so far as to rate the industry “poorly”

For footage of the type of video game violence under discussion in this case, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXnkQXTo_lE.

For a copy of all poll results, contact Marisa Connolly at [e-mail].

About Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology. Through advice, reviews, education programs and policy efforts, Common Sense Media empowers parents, educators, and young people to become knowledgeable and responsible digital citizens. For more information, visit: www.commonsense.org.