Best Buy Regulates Violent Game Sales
by AFA Journal
July 6, 2005
(AgapePress) - Retailer Best Buy has implemented strict policies to prevent sales of mature-rated video games to children and teens. Christian Brothers Investment Services (CBIS) said that company's new rules may be the toughest policy in place among major retailers in the U.S.In late December 2004, a 15-year-old boy -- acting as part of a sting operation directed by the Illinois State Crime Commission -- entered the Best Buy outlet in Schaumburg and purchased two video games rated M (for mature audiences). That should not have happened, said a Best Buy spokesman, because the rating indicates content of the game has been found to be suitable for persons ages 17 and older.
The young boy was taken to a total of 15 retail outlets in one day -- among them Circuit City, Sam Goody, Sears, and Blockbuster. At 11 of those, he was able to purchase M-rated games. He was refused purchase at Target, EB Games, Toys R Us, and Wal-Mart. (See related article)
Since that operation in Illinois, Best Buy has revamped its policy. New provisions of the policy include: programming cash registers to prompt cashiers to ask for ID; a "mystery shopper program" to monitor cashiers for compliance; an agreement by employees to enforce store policies; and disciplinary action against employees who sell violent games to minors.
CBIS had filed a shareholder resolution calling for Best Buy to publicly disclose its policy on violent video games sales to minors. It was joined by Trinity Health, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in New York, and Dominican Sisters in Michigan, in the resolution addressing the issue. CBIS spokeswoman Julie Tanner said, "CBIS is encouraged by this important first step at Best Buy." CBIS manages almost $4 billion, combining faith and finance in stewardship of Catholic financial assets. (See
The steps taken by Best Buy are not simply a good thing in the abstract, says the leader of the American Family Association. "AFA and other pro-family groups, as well as medical and mental health organizations, have been warning for years about the effects of violent media on kids," says Don Wildmon, AFA's founder and chairman.
Wildmon says what CBIS has done should encourage other Christians to get involved. "Activism can work when responsible people address critical issues in a reasonable manner," adds Wildmon.
This article appeared in the July 2005 issue of AFA Journal, a monthly publication of the American Family Association.
