14 DAY TRIAL // I bet you weren't expecting this: soon we'll probably get health warning signs on video game covers! Even though it will most likely not be something like "Playing games kills" or "Your doctor or pharmacist can help you stop playing", we'll definitely have something similar. Or, better said, you will get something similar, if you live in the United Kingdom, because Prime Minister Gordon Brown will enjoy the chance to stick cigarette-styled warnings on video game covers.
According to The Times, a report from Tanya Brown, psychologist and television parenting guru, states that video games are dangerous for everybody - kids, adults, pets and aliens (no, she doesn't really mention the last three, but I'm sure it will soon happen). Anyway, it seems that the big shots didn't decide yet how to stigmatize the video game covers, but one thing is certain: they can "harm the development of children's beliefs and value systems and desensitize them to violence."
The report also cries out loud about the fact that only 2 percent of the video games carry an 18-plus certificate from the BBFC, while only games showing sex or gross violence require an age rating (I must admit that I was absolutely sure this wasn't the way things worked). Of course, all the films, from those you can find in sex shops to the poor F-rated flicks that do nothing but waste your time, will get no health warning stamp. It's the same story as always: everybody thinks that video games are the most dangerous disease in the world.
So... I really look forward to see these health warnings. Probably they won't have the need to write something like "Games can cause a slow and painful death... so save often!". Anyway, we'll most likely see somebody's book ratings drop on Amazon.com, like it happened with Cooper Lawrence a while ago (even though it is a completely different situation). Still, if you would like to give it a try for a more peaceful way of dealing with this situation, check this out. It might work.