The results of an undercover survey conducted by the Federal Trade Commission cite a 58% drop in the selling of M-rated games to minors since last year. The undercover and underage children were denied the purchase of M-rated games 80% of the time. While this appears to be progress and proof that the ESRB is performing adequately, the EMA (Entertainment Merchants Association) and US Congress would like to do more. A bipartisan bill introduced this past week would require explanations of the ESRB’s ratings to be posted in stores and make it a federal law to card consumers of M and AO-rated games.

The timing of the bill and results of the study are quite coincidental and are yet another example of government attempting to do the parenting instead of the actual parents. While organizations such as the ESRB are working towards protecting children from violent and sexual content, they do not support government legislation. The ESA (Entertainment Software Association) agrees with this view, as do many gamers. Let’s hope that the First Amendment continues to hold true, and the emphasis for protecting our children stays on society and not on forced government policies.