Ron Jeremy takes a pop at videogames

By Ellie Gibson Published 11 January, 2010

Reckons they're worse for kids than porn.

Porn star Ron Jeremy has declared that videogames have a worse influence on children then videos of the type he makes.

Jeremy was speaking at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, as reported by PC Mag. He came under fire from anti-porn activist Craig Gross who claimed porn is "a cheap substitute for sex" and one which gives children "a false expectation".

In response Jeremy said, "We don't want kids to watch porn," adding that there are worse things to worry about. "[Studies have] found that violent video games are much bigger a negative influence on kids," he claimed.

Besides, Jeremy said, Mums and Dads should take responsibility for the content their children have access to. "Parents better start to learn the internet," he suggested.

What's your view, readers? Is porn worse than games? Or is games worse than porn? What about games which is porn? You could read that article we did about Hentai in 2007 if you're that bothered, or just play Custer's Revenge.

Picture of Ellie.

About Ellie Gibson

Since joining Eurogamer in the mid 2000s, Ellie has written about subjects as diverse as the fall of Gizmondo, the rise of Hollyoaks actresses in Red Alert games and the noise a bear makes under NSFW circumstances.

Read more articles from Ellie by visiting the Ellie Gibson archive page.

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Comments (59) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • MrTeatime #1 2 years ago

    Post deleted at 09:59:18 03-01-2012

  • wizlon #2 2 years ago

    Porn is better than games... but not for children...

  • the_dudefather #3 2 years ago

    'Orange salesman says oranges are better for you than those filthy pointless apples, apple salesman disagrees'

  • Ignatius_Cheese #4 2 years ago

    Shut up, you fat aging large prick!

    Everyone (and their mother) knows that today's parents are about as responsible as a turnip. Joining the "video games are evil" bandwagon does not make you any more responsible for the filth you have been purveying for years.

    /might be slightly tongue-in-cheek

  • sarcasmoidosis #5 2 years ago

    Both porn and violent games are restricted content to kids. Maybe that should be the main discussion?

  • superted1974 #6 2 years ago

    Are games that include porn even worse?

  • the_dudefather #7 2 years ago

    @djronz

    You only have finite time, money and hands so why not ;)

  • StooMonster #8 2 years ago

    Mac Playmate combined porn and games, a winning formula back in 1985.

    Always wondered why someone hasn't created a porn game using current tech.

  • SAMagic #9 2 years ago

    The more important question here is: where does this leave porn-based games like Leisure Suit Larry and Lula?

  • Waffleaber #10 2 years ago

    In the rubbish bin where they belong.

  • Fleisch #11 2 years ago

    He's not being anti-games, he's just pointing out that games can have an adverse affect when played by those for whom their not intended. Which is absolutely correct. Games are presumably rated for a reason...as are movies, tv, porn, music (with parental guidance labels). I'd like to believe the ratings system is not arbritary.

  • Bartacus #12 2 years ago

    Porn & games are both an addictive waste of time.

  • bad09 #13 2 years ago

    I will not listen to the opinion of a man who chose (well before he got fat) to suck his own old chap.

  • Fletche #14 2 years ago

    "Porn & games are both an addictive waste of time."

    Yeah, but a nice waste of time.

  • cam_guin #15 2 years ago

    +1 for the title.

    Took me a while though...

  • Spekingur #16 2 years ago

    Neither porn or violent games are good for children. Suggesting otherwise is just silly and should be a cause for a public flogging. Which is also bad for children to watch.

    Also, Ron Jeremy was not saying videogames are evil. He was saying that parents should grow some balls and take responsibility for the children they are supposed to be raising. He also used the appropiate way of the word 'the internet'.

  • Bravestinsane #17 2 years ago

    "Besides, Jeremy said, Mums and Dads should take responsibility for the content their children have access to. "Parents better start to learn the internet," he suggested."

    Most sensible thing he said, irritating little shits come online blowing their mouth off, hilarious when you hear their mother in the background should "STOP SWEARING"

    But yeh parents should take responsibility.

  • schnide #18 2 years ago

    I think one probably is as bad as the other, to a certain extent. Most kids will end up having sex one day, but likely not with a porn star and probably not doing all the things they want ("Go on, just let me put it in there once.. No, oh okay then *damn*). Most kids won't end up going to war, but they'll probably fantasise about it.

    Both pursuits allow viewers to play through their fantasies. If you think about it, they'll never likely be realised, but as long as there is a shitload of money to make out of it - and there is - you will have companies in both areas more than willing to produce it.

  • KinanEldari #19 2 years ago

    Yyyyyeah... Go ahead and convince all the stupid parents out there that porn is actually less bad for your kids than video games. I'll bet that next year you'll release your first "all ages" porn video to prove your point.

  • local_celebrity #20 2 years ago

    "Ron Jeremy has declared that videogames have a worse influence on children then videos of the type he makes."

    Then? Shouldn't that be than?

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #21 2 years ago

    Ron Jeremy raises a very interesting question, but one that he and almost certainly no one here (unless maybe Dr Tanya is lurking on the threads) is properly qualified to answer.

    I'd argue that porn is more likely to portray situations that will happen in the lives of young people (at least, later once they've grown up) than Videogames do, and thus perhaps more likely to create unrealistic expectations, and influence their behaviour. To take an obvious, visual example porn-watchers may be tempted to try positions such as the infamous 'reverse cowgirl', despite the fact it was developed by adult movie directors as a visual showcase, and is reckoned to be uncomfortable and generally a bad idea by relathionship and sex therapists. Also, things like infidelity in relationships and avoiding safe sex practices in casual sex might be encouragesd by porn.

    Conversely, ones experience as a balding space marine, a mafia hitman, expert matial artist or professional sportsman is likely to be that bit more removed from reality, especially since phenomenon such as the uncanny valley or explicity cartoon stylings also help separate games from reality.

  • dadrester #22 2 years ago

    Besides, Jeremy said, Mums and Dads should take responsibility for the content their children have access to. "Parents better start to learn the internet," he suggested.

    +1

  • local_celebrity #23 2 years ago

    "Or is games worse than porn? What about games which is porn?"

    Oh dear. This is starting to read like a Google translation.

  • Koochulainn #24 2 years ago

    So the question is porn or video games? Can't we have both?

  • Miths #25 2 years ago

    Please don't force me to choose between my porn collection and my game collection - I think I might get a nervous breakdown :p.

  • AJGB #26 2 years ago

    "[F]at aging large prick" can be used to describe both the speaker and his claim to fame.

  • MiniAmin #27 2 years ago

    I'm outraged. I'll never masturbate to any film that features him again!

    (lies)

  • ZuluHero #28 2 years ago

    "a cheap substitute for sex"

    Isn't that the point though? I'm sure Craig Gross is getting it every minute of every day, but most of us mere mortals aren’t. I quite admire Ron Jeremy for talking sense here. I couldn’t watch him in a film though, he’s a bit too Mario for my liking ;)
    Edited by 1 at 11/01/10 @ 11:10

  • BiscuitBase #29 2 years ago

    Video games and Porn. BOTH of them ruin your sex life.

  • davisorle #30 2 years ago

    I know that i used to be a huge pornfan when i was underaged yet not anymore.. Personally effected possitivly. I f#$@ed the crap out of my first "partner" and i have to thank porn for it. Here comes into play of idividuals. In most cases it turns out bad. Plus that they grow up wanting it so bad that they dont get any cause they just drool too much for it? I dont know what is exactly in MOST cases ( cant ever be specific ).

    Then about gaming, I was playing from Amstrads Ataris to anything that comes out now and i havent hurt anyone for gaming nor ignored my woman for them. Yet again some psychos kill their kids for them as heard on news recently.

    It all comes down to inresponsible parents in a %, then the mentality of individuals and how they get affected from each of those subjects in a way bigger % and lastly it comes down to how and where you grow up. Its really relevant. Honestly though if you ask me, yeah its more likely to be seeing violent kiddos due to games than kids raping due to porn so there is vaalidity to the statement done. Im just not interested on the matter so that was my 2 cents.

    Happy f#$@ing & gaming for the 2010 and let them argue about it.

  • TeaFiend #31 2 years ago

    Both have age ratings on them. If a parent is not happy for their eight year old to be watching 18 rated porn they should also think on if their eight year old should play an eighteen rated game. It is about parents actually knowing something rather than "it is a computer game, computer games are for kids."

  • aled #32 2 years ago

    "worse influence on children THEN videos of the type he makes"

    "Or is games worse than porn? What about games which is porn?"


    Is this article poorly written on purpose? IS games worse than porn?!

  • madjim #33 2 years ago

    Religion is worst than both the worst games and porn combined. Still, they teach kids it's normal.

  • metalangel #34 2 years ago

    LOL @Davisorle and schnide's comments.

  • Murton #35 2 years ago

    Gotta say I'm kinda impressed with Ron here. He claims that a study has shown that violent games are worse for kids than porn and gives his own opinion that both are bad for kids and it is the responsibility of the parents to make sure their kids aren't exposed to inappropriate material, he also highlights the internet as the main place this needs to start happening asap.

    I believe this may be the first piece of balanced criticism on video games for quite some time, and it didn't come from an expert on human behaviour but a porn actor. Makes me think that we should start asking porn stars their opinion on important things more often, we may just get a few surprising answers.

  • Fwing #36 2 years ago

    I'd like to see these studies showing violent videogames are harmful.
    Because I've never heard of any.

  • Britesparc Verified Creative, ITV #37 2 years ago

    What the world needs is a Tracy Jordan to come along and combine the two in such a way as to revolutionise the human race.

    My view is that neither "artform" is inherently evil or bad for you, but obviously both parental responsibility and a degree of self-control must be maintained :-)

  • Monkey_Puncher #38 2 years ago

    Games are now worse than a medium that teaches kids that degrading women is all fun and games, as long you get to jizz on their face when it's over?

  • Mkwone #39 2 years ago

    In depth research is needed, hands up for willing volunteers

  • RumpyStumpy #40 2 years ago

    One word: Rapeplay. The best of porn and games :-(

  • sneetch #41 2 years ago

    At the risk of being a bit snarky (I'm feeling sick and not my usual chirpy self): why is this being reported at all?

    The statements made by Ron Jeremy could have been drooled out by any string-vest wearing moron across the world. "[Studies have] found that violent video games are much bigger a negative influence on kids [than porn]". Really, care to share your research there Ron? Seriously, just because you recognise someone's name it doesn't mean their opinions are any more newsworthy than that bloke down the pub's.

    Tomorrow's news headlines: "Bloke down pub reckons foreigners to blame for icy weather!"

  • UKLL #42 2 years ago


    I think they are both excellent....

  • dfooster #43 2 years ago

    might as well say drugs arnt for kids. alcohol isnt for kids, horror movies arent for kids, driving a car isnt for kids, tv after the watershed isnt for kids. there are a lot of things that are not for kids, and certain age rated games are not for kids. they are for adults. So what is his point??

  • z8Jay #44 2 years ago

    Both are pretty bad. Being raised on both porn and games being easily accessible has definitely had an adverse affect on me

  • kenji_asai #45 2 years ago

    Oh, oh... that's not good;) As parents, what would you rather hear:
    - mom/dad what's a ripped Locust?
    - mom/dad what's a face abused deepthroat?

  • Spekingur #46 2 years ago

    @sneetch: Surely people would know by now that Iceland is showing its wrath to the world through the weather? It has been above freezing there and no snow in most of the southern parts apparently.

  • sneetch #47 2 years ago

    @Spekingur

    Holy crap! Bloke down pub was correct then! It must be the Lich King, shall we invade there tomorrow then? :)

  • Spekingur #48 2 years ago

    I'm already there. Lich King doesn't like the heat, he likes the cold. He was sent to invade Europe!

  • solid_smithy91 #49 2 years ago

    got to agree with madjim there
    Still porn is worse for young kids
    since when does violent games make a difference to most children?

  • Spekingur #50 2 years ago

    Seriously? Chopping off someone's head in a videogame has suddenly become the norm for people today? And all the parents shouting about bad influence from videogames (and they all swear off that it was their fault that their kid got a hold of a game that the kid wasn't technically allowed to play due to age). Kids are influenced, weither you like it or not - be it porn or videogames.
    And because sex and nakedness is a taboo subject but violence is okay the world might end up with people that don't know how to reproduce but are quite good at chopping of limbs - if porn would ever get abolished completely, that is.

  • kenji_asai #51 2 years ago

    Well actually a debate, "what is worst: games or porn? " is senseless. It can be compared to: what is worst: giving a child bottle of vodka or a pack of cigarettes?
    Both isn't for children.

  • fiendkeeper #52 2 years ago

    This guy has been spending too much time in front of the stuff he makes, jizzing away to have any brain cells left. His opinion has no value.

  • My1stLoveJak #53 2 years ago

    The internet is for porn.

    Therefore, when your kids use the internet...?

    However, I think games are fun for different reasons. I wouldn't say that violence in videogames has a direct correlation to actual violence. That only happens in extreme cases, just like those who think supermodels are the norm.

  • Stratix #54 2 years ago

    It's always easier to blame someone else isn't it?

    Kids fight anyway, so fighting games are only going to give kids ideas, I know thats bad, but porn, what does that encourage kids to do?

  • Drogul #55 2 years ago

    Porn no good for kids, common sense. Violent e gore games (GTA, Manhunt,Resident Evil) no good for kids, common sense.
    Porn and violent games for adults its a matter of choice, common sense. What's the big deal?

  • Jayke #56 2 years ago

    idk about false expectations but children shouldnt be introduced to sex or extreme violence.

  • djed #57 2 years ago

    It's only entertainment.

  • 8bitMofo #58 2 years ago

    Itsa' penis time!!!

  • Zebula77 #59 2 years ago

    @fiendkeeper: Does jizzing decrease the number of brain cells?

    Holy shit, I'm in trouble!

    Seriously though - I find this comments thread to a good read, but who the hell cares what Ron Jeremy, or anybody else for that matter, says about video games? I don't think video games nor porn has nearly as negative an effect as some people claim. It's just your typical scapegoating media talking. People don't know better and need something that's easy to blame.