Senate Commerce Committee to vote on media violence bill

{mosads} Rockefeller’s bill would require the National Academy of Sciences to examine whether violent video games and programming cause children to act aggressively or otherwise hurt their well-being.

The academy would look at whether the interactive nature and vivid way violence is portrayed in video games has a unique impact on children.

Rockefeller has said the bill could lay the groundwork for future regulation.

“Major corporations, including the video game industry, make billions on marketing and selling violent content to children,” Rockefeller said last year. “They have a responsibility to protect our children. If they do not, you can count on the Congress to take a more aggressive role.”

The courts, however, have beaten back attempts to regulate violent media on the grounds that they infringe on free speech rights.