Utahns back video-game warnings

Most Utahns believe that it should not be a secret if a video game contains material that may be inappropriate for youths.

Utahns overwhelmingly support warning labels for youths on video games, according to a new Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll conducted by Dan Jones and Associates. The poll of 400 people was conducted Jan. 2-4 and had a 5 percent margin of error.

The poll numbers show that 82 percent of the respondents either somewhat or strongly favor age and warning labels on video games and movies, while only 15 percent opposed.

Widely sold video games already carry ratings, ranging from "EC (Early Childhood)" to "M (Mature)," which provide some guidance to retailers and parents. The "M (Mature)" rating is similar to an R-rated movie and "may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language," according to the Entertainment Software Rating Board.

There is also an "AO (Adults Only)" rating, although practically no games sold by major U.S. retailers carry this rating. These games "may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity."

The video game ratings system is very similar to movie ratings in that the ratings are governed by an industry board and are voluntary. While they are not as ubiquitous as movie ratings, major retailers have started to restrict youths from purchasing mature games without an adult.

In recent years, legislation has been proposed by former Rep. Dave Hogue, R-Riverton, that would levy fines against retailers who sold excessively violent video games. Despite constitutional concerns, the bill passed the House last year but was never heard by the Senate.

This year, Rep. Scott Wyatt, R-Logan, plans to carry a very similar bill. As currently written, it would equate the sale of violent video games to pornography and would impose fines for anyone who sold the games to minors.

The bill, HB50, has already been saddled with similar constitutional concerns. Earlier this month, Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said that he is reviewing the bill for the potential conflicts.