It is a fact that the majority of our nation's young people are being forced to grow up too fast. Whether it is their exposure to television, music, movies, or video games; our children are experiencing things at a maturity level that they are not yet ready for.

As an elementary teacher I conservatively estimate that 75% of boys in the classroom own/have access to entertainment material that is not appropriate for them (R-rated movies, explicit music lyrics, Mature video games). Even worse their parents are the ones who are allowing this to happen.

I commend the ESRB for the ratings they set mandatory on all videogames and for the enforcement of these rules by the selling companies. Unfortunately this is not enough, children as young as 9 years old are receiving Mature-rated video games as gifts from their parents. To expose a young child to the nature of these games is not a moral issue (although it should be), it is a developmental issue. This child's brain is soaking in information like a sponge and any information he/she is exposed to, for better or for worse, molds who this young person becomes.

If a 9 year old walks into a Gamestop and tries to buy the new Call of Duty (rated Mature 17+) video game, that child will be denied ownership.....but if that same child has a parent accompanying them it is somehow okay...Parents have proven they do not know what is best for their child and I think it is time for the ESRB and the companies that sell these games to produce a policy that is more strict for the purchases of these 'Mature' games.