Erik Johnson

During an AVN Adult Entertainment Expo crossover debate (Pornography in the age of the Internet) with the adjoining Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, ’specialty’ actor and all-around ugly man Ron Jeremy stated that his industry only caters to those 18 and older; and even if pornographic material slips through the cracks to the youth, video games are still a far worse influence.

I can see where he’s coming from, I was scarred for life during that Mario Bros. tag-team sequence on Toad after the Princess was again absent from yet another castle, and what’s up with Sonic’s masochistic golden shower?

No wait, I got a million of ‘em!

In all seriousness, Jeremy makes the common mistake of using video games, specifically violent ones, as a scapegoat in an effort to take some weight off of his own industry, in this case Adult Entertainment. All the points made about how parents need to be more aware and filter what their children can get to on the internet can just as easily be applied to kids and video games.

Just like our computers and internet browsers, every current-generation console contains at least a rudimentary ‘family setting’ feature that let’s you lock out or allow particular products, ratings or titles. The problem lies in the unwillingness of parents to actually learn and use these systems.

Though, it can’t be denied that both have proven to be bad influences on some. During the middle school-high school transition for instance, I remember my friends almost completely vanishing for weeks at a time, shutting themselves in with one or both of these horrifying(ly enjoyable) vices.