ABSTRACT
High-profile events such as these frequently lead to shifts in the regulation or distribution of cultural products. For example, in 1993, after the conviction of two 10 year olds Robert Thompson and Jon Venables for the murder of two-year old James Bulger, the sentencing judge made comments about the impact of viewing violent imagery upon children:
In my judgment the home background, upbringing, family circumstances, parental behaviour and relationships were needed in the public domain so that informed and worthwhile debate can take place for the public good in the case of grave crimes by young children. This could include exposure to violent video films, including possibly Child’s Play 3, which has some striking similarities to the manner of the attack on James Bulger.
