Violence in entertainment content is the low-hanging focal point for many pundits when society’s ills are discussed. Do video games lead to violence? What is the effect of extended exposure to violent content for developing children and young adults? How much is too much? Who is to blame when the underage gets their hands on this kind of content? These talking points are not going away anytime soon, especially as content creators continue to embrace these kinds of mature situations. Of course, for some, the concept of mature content is enough to steer children who aren’t emotionally mature enough to handle it in another direction.
However, as many Call of Duty multiplayer gamers already know, age restrictions don’t mean much when it comes to parents buying their children material that was intended for a mature audience. In other words, the ratings are often ignored in favor of placation. For those of who you choose to purchase your entertainment content in such a manner, Samuel L. Jackson and Funny or Die have a much-needed message for you:
So who’s fault is it if a child watches Django Unchained and starts tossing n-bombs around like they are Quentin Tarantino discussing the type of storage facility they don’t have? The movie or the parent who let an impressionable child watch such adult-themed content? Or, to put it another way, why do these rating systems exist? Just for kicks? Here’s a hint: when a movie is R-Rated, or a game is rated Mature, there’s usually a reason behind it.
Ignore these warnings at your own peril, but don’t blame the actor who appeared it or the content creator who made if you do.
[Lead image courtesy]