Senator Jay Rockefeller has created legislation to study the impact of violent content, including video games and video programming, on children.
As Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, Rockefeller introduced the bill this week.
The bill would direct the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to conduct a thorough study and investigation of the connection between violent video games and violent video programming and harmful effects on children.
In their investigation, the NAS would examine whether violent video games and programming cause kids to act aggressively or otherwise hurt their well-being, and whether that effect is different from other types of media.
The NAS would also look at the direct and long-lasting impact of violent content on a child’s well-being.
Rockefeller is also calling on the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission to expand their work in this area.
The NAS along with the FTC and the FCC would be required to submit a report on the investigation to Congress within 18 months.
Rockefeller is introducing the new bill in light of the recent shooting at a Newtown elementary school in which 26 lives were taken.