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California Bill Seeks to Limit Video Game Use at Daycare

by Peter Mychalcewycz on April 21, 2009 at 04:12 AM


Assemblywoman Julia Brownley, of the California State Assembly, earlier this month introduced a bill that would, among other things, limit the amount of time that children in state-supported day cares are allowed to play video games, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Brownley, who served three times as President of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District board before being elected to the State Assembly, introduced the bill in an effort to curb child obesity. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the bill would "require child care centers receiving state reimbursement for their food programs to limit sugary sweets and drinks, prohibit deep-fat frying, mandate servings of vegetables and limit TV, computer and video-game use to one hour per day."


The aforementioned limitations on screen time are not the only limit Brownley wants passed into law. According to Game Politics, the bill also specifies that only educational or movement-oriented games would be acceptable.

We are all for exercise and a healthy lifestyle, but the gaming aspect of this bill seems a bit draconian by our standards. After all, moderation is the key to a balanced, healthy life. While we applaud Brownley for her dedication to ending childhood obesity, we think her bill, itself, could stand to be a little more moderate. If she were to ease the limitations on the range of acceptable video games, the legislation would be more realistic and just as effective. [From: San Francisco Chronicle, Via: Game Politics, Via: Arstechnica]

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