A Policy Analysis: Banning Sexually Expilicit and Violent Computer Games to the Minors

Abstract

This is a case study of a policy initiative that was proposed as a bill to the state of Illinois of the United States of America concerning the banning of sexually explicit and violent computer games to the minors. The stance of the media and interest groups towards the policy initiative is discussed along with scientific findings on the issue. Then, the policy initiative was analyzed according to underlying ideological position of the Illinois governor and Stolz’s four symbolic functions of politics. This policy initiative was found to be ineffective that brought an extra burden to the criminal justice system. As a result, it is advised that to protect minors’ education based policies are better strategies than banning and punishing

Keywords

• Policy analysis,symbolic politics,violent and sexually explicit computer games

Bir Politika Analizi: Müstehcenlik ve Şiddet İçeren Bilgisayar Oyunlarının Çocuklara Satışının Yasaklanması

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Amerika Birleşik Devletleri’nin Illinois eyalet meclisine sunulan, çocuklara müstehcen ve şiddet içerikli bilgisayar oyunları satışını yasaklamayı öngören politika hareketini inceleyen bir vaka analizidir. Çalışmada, bu politika hareketi ile ilgili bilimsel çalışma sonuçlarıyla birlikte medya ve lobilerin duruşu tartışılmıştır. Daha sonra, bu politika hareketi Illinois valisinin ideolojik pozisyonu açısından ve Stolz’un ileri sürmüş olduğu “politikaların dört sembolik fonksiyonu” perspektifinden incelenmiştir. Çocuklara müstehcen ve şiddet içerikli bilgisayar oyunu satışının yasaklanmasının, ceza adalet sistemine ekstra yük getiren ve etkisiz bir politika olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Sonuç olarak, çocukları korumak için eğitim temelli politikaların yasaklama ve cezalandırmadan daha iyi bir politka stratejisi olacağı önerilmiştir

Keywords

• Politika analizi,sembolik politikalar,müstehcenlik ve şiddet içeren bilgisayar oyunları

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40. EARLY CHILDHOOD (EC): Suitable for ages 3 and older. These games contain no material that parents would find inappropriate.
41. EVERYONE (E): Suitable for ages 6 and older. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language.
42. EVERYONE 10+ (E10+): Suitable for ages 10 and older. Titles in this category may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language, and/or minimal suggestive themes.
43. TEEN (T): Suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood and/or infrequent use of strong language.
44. MATURE (M): Suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and/or strong language.
45. ADULTS ONLY (AO): Should only be played by persons 18 years and older. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.
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