[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 9 (Thursday, January 24, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S287-S288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ROCKEFELLER (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Coburn, Mr. 
        Johanns, and Mr. Heller):
  S. 134. A bill to arrange for the National Academy of Sciences to 
study the impact of violent video games and violent video programming 
on children; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I still well up with deep emotion 
when I see Newtown parents remembering their lost children, recalling 
what they wore to school that day or their last sweet words before 
boarding the school bus. The memory of that horrifying day, and of 
those children and their teachers, has not waned, nor should it ever. 
It should be an enduring call to action to do everything we can to save 
innocent lives.
  That is why I have championed a comprehensive approach to combating 
gun violence, and support the President's plan to protect the Nation's 
citizens. West Virginians have a proud tradition of hunting and 
understand the importance of the Second Amendment. I know we can 
protect those traditions and rights as we look at ways to prevent 
senseless acts of violence.
  One piece of this comprehensive examination concerns violent content, 
including video games and video programming. I have long had concerns 
about how the violent content that kids see and interact with every day 
affects their wellbeing. This is a very important issue, and one that 
deserves further research, as even the President recognized. That is 
why, as Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, I am introducing 
today the Violent Content Research Act of 2013. Under this legislation, 
the National Academy of Sciences would conduct a comprehensive study on 
the connection between exposure to violent video games and video 
programming and harmful effects on children.
  Recent court decisions demonstrate that some people still do not get 
it. They believe that violent video games are no more dangerous to 
young minds than classic literature or Saturday morning cartoons. 
Parents, pediatricians, and psychologists know better.
  These court decisions show we need to conduct additional groundwork 
on this issue. This report would be a critical resource in this 
process. It could inform research by other organizations, including the 
Centers for Disease Control, and provide guidance to lawmakers. I call 
on my colleagues to join me in passing this important legislation 
quickly.
  Separately, I will be calling on the Federal Trade Commission and the 
Federal Communications Commission to expand their work in this area. 
The FTC has reviewed the effectiveness of the video game ratings 
system. The FCC has looked at the impact of violent programming on 
children. Changes in technology now allow kids to access violent 
content on-line and increasingly from mobile platforms with less 
parental involvement. It is time for these two agencies to take a fresh 
look at these issues.
  Major corporations, including the video game industry, make billions 
on marketing and selling violent content to children. They have a 
responsibility to protect our children. If they do not, you can count 
on the Congress to take a more aggressive role.

[[Page S288]]

  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 134

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Violent Content Research Act 
     of 2013''.

     SEC. 2. STUDY; NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Federal Trade Commission, the 
     Federal Communications Commission, and the Department of 
     Health and Human Services, jointly, shall undertake to enter 
     into appropriate arrangements with the National Academy of 
     Sciences to conduct a comprehensive study and investigation 
     of--
       (1) whether there is a connection between exposure to 
     violent video games and harmful effects on children; and
       (2) whether there is a connection between exposure to 
     violent video programming and harmful effects on children.
       (b) Contents of Study and Investigation.--
       (1) Violent video games.--The study and investigation under 
     subsection (a) shall include--
       (A) whether the exposure listed under subsection (a)(1)--
       (i) causes children to act aggressively or causes other 
     measurable harm to children;
       (ii) has a disproportionately harmful effect on children 
     already prone to aggressive behavior or on other identifiable 
     groups of children; and
       (iii) has a harmful effect that is distinguishable from any 
     negative effects produced by other types of media;
       (B) whether any harm identified under subparagraph (A)(i) 
     has a direct and long-lasting impact on a child's well-being; 
     and
       (C) whether current or emerging characteristics of video 
     games have a unique impact on children, considering in 
     particular video games' interactive nature and the 
     extraordinarily personal and vivid way violence might be 
     portrayed in such video games.
       (2) Violent video programming.--The study and investigation 
     under subsection (a) shall include--
       (A) whether the exposure listed under subsection (a)(2)--
       (i) causes children to act aggressively or causes other 
     measurable harm to children;
       (ii) has a disproportionately harmful effect on children 
     already prone to aggressive behavior or on other identifiable 
     groups of children; and
       (iii) has a harmful effect that is distinguishable from any 
     negative effects produced by other types of media; and
       (B) whether any harm identified under subparagraph (A)(i) 
     has a direct and long-lasting impact on a child's well-being.
       (3) Future research.--The study and investigation under 
     subsection (a) shall identify gaps in the current state of 
     research which, if closed, could provide additional 
     information regarding any causal connection--
       (A) between exposure to violent video games and behavior; 
     and
       (B) between exposure to violent video programming and 
     behavior.
       (c) Report.--In entering into any arrangements with the 
     National Academy of Sciences for conducting the study and 
     investigation under this section, the Federal Trade 
     Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, and the 
     Department of Health and Human Services shall request the 
     National Academy of Sciences to submit, not later than 15 
     months after the date on which such arrangements are 
     completed, a report on the results of the study and 
     investigation to--
       (1) Congress;
       (2) the Federal Trade Commission;
       (3) the Federal Communications Commission; and
       (4) the Department of Health and Human Services.
                                 ______