Questioning virtual murder for fun is on the European agenda. The debate on killer video games has moved up a notch. Seeking to cut risks of copy-cat behaviour in real life, EU justice ministers at a meeting in Dresden have been discussing whether society needs a ban on this kind of entertainment industry product.

Germany’s Brigitte Zypries, whose country is the bloc’s current presiding nation, talked about an initiative towards a possible mandate for such a move. She said: “We are going to ask the Member States which games they have banned. The names will be published on the European Commission website, called ‘Insafe’.”

A study group will be set up to pool experience. This could propose common solutions, such as a repression of video games which incite violence. Responsible conduct on the part of industry players will be encouraged, such as trying to make sure that potentially harmful games are not sold to impressionable young people.

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