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Court upholds constitutionality of gaming addiction ordinance

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As a non-gamer who has gamer friends, I would not classify video games as a mental disorder - it's basically treating the symptoms as the root cause. I'm not going to delve into the mental issues that plague the younger generations today, but I will say that gaming is one of those escapes that younger people can turn to until they're old enough to drink, smoke and go to those entertainment districts. Banning kids to play games is like telling salarymen to have a cap on their mandatory nomikai - it just won't fly. The government should work alongside not against online gaming. Why not encourage kids to have regular mental health counselling at school and let the parents in on it. Because Japanese society isn't exactly the kindest towards mental health and the country is a powerhouse in videogames, so expect kids to seek an escape.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

though the ordinance has no penalty provisions.

Where have I seen this before?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Banning kids to play games is like telling salarymen to have a cap on their mandatory nomikai - it just won't fly. 

Thing is though, neither are mandatory, and it is a case of "big brother" sticking their nose into the private lives of people.

As much as I agree there should be limits, it is NOT the job of the city, government, or courts to make laws or ordinances regarding it.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Web, animu, geimu

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Are we also going to limit the amount of hours that we can watch TV, read books, play sports? Gaming is no longer just a waste of time endeavor. It is big business and another social outlet for people. A recent study has even found that playing video games boosted children's intelligence by 2.5 IQ points.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@Yubaru, I agree. Such minute things in life should be left for the parents or the kids themselves to police. I fear that there will come a day where authorities will introduce ordnances on what the general public should wear on certain days "to foster a sense of solidary" or something along those lines. Let the kids sort themselves out. Games are great, but like everything else, enjoy responsibly.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Yes and No, this law is somewhat controversial! but the helps. Many parents are unable to set any limits on gaming time and I really doubt if this law does!!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I don't understand. Is this a law or a guideline by the municipality to help parents?

I agree there should be limits set my parents, specially for (online) gaming. But we're not in China.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

So government micromanaging every tiny aspect of one's life including how they are supposed to bring up children is constitutional, got it. Another decision from the rubber stamp machine courts.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Are we also going to limit the amount of hours that we can watch TV, read books, play sports? 

don’t worry, google, Twitter, apple, YouTube, Facebook are working on this.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Is this a law or a guideline by the municipality to help parents?

it’s a guideline. Like I never wear a mask on a train, but not arrested. What is of concern is authorities are monitoring children’s private lives.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Seems like a hard thing to enforce. Isn’t up to the parents to enforce when a child can play video games or not?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Compared to my parents’ or even still my generation, I would say, even those harsh but funny restrictions are still something like complete freedom. We had to be in bed by 6 or 7p.m., lights also switched off and there weren’t even any computer games out yet. lol

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Monitor your kids. My son was on the edge, and I told him that if he wanted a Plastjion, he'd have to buy it himself - so he did, and quickly grew out of it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

 it only sets guidelines with no legal obligations to comply

So what's the point? Wasting taxpayers on meetings just to dish out a non-binding ordinance?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I love how governments in Japan are creating this type of law -- non-binding, of course, and unenforceable -- while paving the way for casinos.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

maxjapank

Aug. 31 08:37 am JST 

Are we also going to limit the amount of hours that we can watch TV, read books, play sports?

Well put

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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