6/29/11: SCOTUS Ruling Won’t Help Parents

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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled yesterday that a state law prohibiting the sale or rental of violent video games to minors violates the First Amendment’s protection of free speech.

In a 7-2 decision, the high court upheld lower court rulings striking down a 2005 California law. The ruling elicited strong criticism from the Parents Television Council that said the decision provides a “Constitutionally-protected end-run on parental authority.” PTC President Tim Winter said “[V]ideo game manufacturers have fought tooth and nail for the ‘right’ to line their pockets at the expense of America’s children,” Today, the Supreme Court sided with them and against parents.”

In its opinion the court said the free speech bans can not cover whatever a legislature finds shocking, but only depictions of ‘sexual conduct,’”