German Minister Says Videogames just as Bad as Drugs and Child Porn

On 07 Apr 2009

Videogames have always been an easy target for aspiring politicians, concerned parents, and health organizations that state a young mind will be entrapped in the fantasy world created by the game and as such the gamer will neglect his health (which could lead to an early death, according to Change 4 Life) or could go on a killing spree. Joachim Herrmann, Minister of the Interior of German state Bavaria, has come out to officially announce that videogames are responsible for young people being violent and has even gone as far as to compare videogames to drug abuse and child pornography – now that’s a bit harsh.

“Such games are one of the causes for youth violence and also for school shootings, where images from killer games become reality. More and more children are getting mired in this virtual world of violence [and] they have no time left for school or job training, and are lost to our society. In regards to their harmful effects, [violent video games] are on the same level as child pornography and illegal drugs, the ban on which rightly is unquestioned,” said the Minister in a press release.

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The Ministry of Interior’s accusations come in response to a school shooting incident that occurred in Winnenden, incident where 17-year old Tim Kretschmer killed a total of 15 people (9 pupils, 3 teachers, 2 members of the public). One can understand him being displeased about the whole incident, but saying that videogames are responsible (Kretschmer was apparently a big fan of Counterstrike and Far Cry 2) is taking things a bit too far.

The German commissioner for the New Media Thomas Jarzombek agrees that Herrmann’s statement is inappropriate: “The comparison is completely inappropriate... anyone making such statements is unqualified to participate in any further debate [regarding the] protection of minors from harmful media.”

I guess pointing out to Herrmann (photo below) that FPS games are beneficial for one’s eyesight (details here) is pointless.