News Date: Monday 10th November 2008
Tim condemns Suicide Bomber online computer game
Yesterday Shadow Minister for Children, Schools and Families, Tim Loughton MP, supported a parliamentary motion condemning the creation of the online computer game Kaboom- The Suicide Bombing in which players replicate the actions of suicide bombers.
The game is freely available on the internet and features an Arab cartoon suicide bomber on a busy street. Points are awarded for each man, women and child that is killed when the bomb is detonated, encouraging players to kill as many people as possible.
Commenting, Tim said:
'The game promotes a complete disregard for the value of human life and is clearly offensive to the families and friends of those who have been victims of suicide bombings.
'Having previously campaigned on the effects of violent video games on young people it is obvious that the government is still not taking this issue seriously.
'It is deeply concerning that the game is available free to anyone under the age of 18 and is a clear indication that the government is not doing enough to protect vulnerable people. With the findings from an Iowa State University study recognising the link between violent video games and aggressive behaviour; it is imperative that the government acknowledges the need to revise is regulations of violent video games'.
The game's creator has been called upon to remove the game from the internet but the anonymous Texan creator dismisses the criticisms, claiming the game is intended to satirise terrorism.
