Today's New York Times has an article about the challenge of regulating violence in video games. Although there are strict laws regarding minors' access to some materials, so far there has been no regulation of violent content.

Put simply, the United States Supreme Court has interpreted the Constitution as allowing states broad leeway in regulating minors’ access to sexually explicit material. That is why it is illegal around the country to sell pornography to children. Courts have not, however, said that states have a similar right to regulate media based on violence.

Since video games are a new medium, they haven't been regulated as strictly as films, which means that minors can purchase video games, regardless of violent content, without parental permission.

What do you think? Do you think that video games should be regulated, or do you think that minors should be able to make their own decisions about what they play? Does playing violent video games make you a more violent person?

The website miicharacters.com gives you step-by-step instructions on how to make Mii versions of famous people for your Nintendo Wii. And I thought that I was a genius for creating a Mii for Paul Newman and for our library director, Maxine Bleiweis! Shown above are Miis of Albert Einstein, Paris Hilton, and E.T.

Looks like we have some Mii celebrities to create for the library's Wii! Starting Monday, September 10th, we will be continuing Teen Gaming in the Afternoon from 4-6PM in the McManus Room! Check the calendar for details. And if you want to be included on my event listserv, please send your contact info to jlewis@westportlibrary.org