OVERVIEW

Michael Carneal is the 14-year-old freshman who fired a stolen 22-pistol at a December 1, 1997 student prayer meeting in the lobby of Heath High School in Paducah, Kentucky. The parents of the three students killed (another five were wounded) have filed a $130 million against 25 entertainment firms.

Michael Carneal pleaded guilty and mentally ill to murder and other charges and received a life sentence. Carneal apparently watched and was influenced by the film, "The Basketball Diaries" in which Leonardo DiCaprio, the drug-using character, has a dream in which he guns down a teacher and some classmates. He also enjoyed playing violent computer games such as "Doom," "Quake," and "Redneck Rampage." It is said that such games provide the same training as is given soldiers in the military. Carneal also frequented sexually violent material on the Internet.

The families’ lawyer, Jack Thompson, explained the suit: " ‘We intend to hurt Hollywood. We intend to hurt the video game industry. We intend to hurt the sex porn sites.’ "

Among those sued are Time Warner, Inc.; Polygram Film Entertainment Distribution, Inc.; Palm Pictures; Island Pictures; and New Line Cinema (all involved in making "The Basketball Diaries"). Video game companies, Nintendo, Sega, and Sony along with id software, inc. and Interplay Entertainment Corporation are named as defendants for their production of killer-encouraging games. Two sex web sites named are Meow Media, Inc. and Network Authentication Systems, Inc.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. Do you think that some media are responsible for increased violence among young people? How do you answer those who say there is no evidence that violent entertainment produces aggressive actions?
2. If it can be shown that a person was obsessed with a game, song, or movie that encourages homicide or suicide, do you think suing the producers is a better way to oppose and curb such entertainment than censorship?
3. What are your best suggestions for the prevention of violence among young people?

IMPLICATIONS

• Short of making smoking illegal, there has been a resort to the courts. Suits against the tobacco industry may or may not be effective. It has certainly provided money to raise awareness to the issue, and smoking is decreasing in the U.S.
• Although we can’t scientifically prove links between media violence and particular acts of aggression, study after study prove that violence watched apart from parents does increase aggression in children.
• Violence and sex have a strong appeal to some children and teenagers. For most, it is a stage of curiosity and a pushing of the boundaries. Some vulnerable individuals will find encouragement to act out aggressive fantasies from violent media.
• If family and other social systems nurture and instruct children properly, they should be protected against most dangers and temptations that confront them.