Rockefeller Statement on National Academies' Violent Content Research Proposal

Press Release

Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement today upon the release of a proposal from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) that outlines a research agenda around the causes of firearm-related violence, including an examination of the relationship between violent media and real-life violence.

Rockefeller favors transparent and broad research in a range of issue areas, and is particularly interested in the proposal for research into the effects of violent media and violent content. As Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, Rockefeller is pushing for more congressional action to protect young people from the harmful effects associated with violent content. His bill, the Violent Content Research Act of 2013, would initiate a similar research agenda for violent content to that proposed by IOM.

"The federal government has always taken a lead role in addressing the emerging issues that threaten public health such as distracted and impaired driving and strict safety standards for children's products. The crossroads we are facing with violent content is no different than these other challenges and just as serious.

"But legislation is not an option right now because the courts have ruled that existing and outdated research does not support what parents, pediatricians, and psychologists have all told me -- violent video games and violent programming can have a negative effect on children.

"The research agenda proposed by the IOM would improve our understanding of this content and how it is linked to behavior. This will inform our work to develop policy that protects our children. We should take the IOM proposal seriously and make sure the research into causes of gun violence can begin in earnest. I have always believed that the cornerstone of good public policy is strong facts rooted in objective evaluation."

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