Call to jail parents who break video game age limitsBy GREER MCDONALD - The Dominion PostParents who give their underage children access to violent video games should be prosecuted to serve as "shock value" to other families, says chief censor Bill Hastings.Laws around video games were "an even stricter regime than alcohol", because if an adult gives a child aged under 18 access to a restricted video game even in their own home they are breaking the law, he said.Mr Hastings told The Dominion Post yesterday that if someone was caught knowingly allowing a child access to restricted video games such as the R-18 Grand Theft Auto series they could be punished by up to three months' imprisonment or a fine of up to $10,000."They might think the offence is silly, but it ain't".No-one had yet been prosecuted under the law, but Mr Hastings said there could be merit in a parent being charged."That's what the law says, but . . . you're not going to have police officers in every bedroom ... There would certainly be some shock value to prosecuting a parent who gives their under-18 child access to a restricted game. It would send out a message that the enforcement agency means business."Mr Hastings said studies had shown that repeated exposure to violence and sexual violence had an adverse effect on attitude, and it was important that parents realised some games were created for adults not children."I think the word 'game' can mislead people for sure. It's not checkers."For the first time in history, kids are more savvy with technology than parents ... parents need to get up to speed on the digital divide. They need to look at what their kids are playing and doing," he said."The fear of getting caught shouldn't be the motivating factor for you obeying the laws."It should be the pleasure in being able to sleep at night knowing that you have done the right thing by your kids. That should be the motivating factor."Mr Hastings said video-game makers appeared to be steering away from extreme graphic sadism, as seen in the first video game to be banned in New Zealand, Manhunt.Players of Manhunt take on the role of a character and gain points depending on the level of violence used to kill opponents, who are suffocated, repeatedly beaten, slashed, stabbed and decapitated.Mr Hastings said parents were often hampered in educating themselves about video-game ratings because of out-of-date legislation, which meant many titles slipped onto New Zealand shelves without a rating.Although all films and DVDs must be rated, electronic games such as those played on PlayStation or Xbox consoles do not need to go through the classification process unless they have objectionable material, he said.Mr Hastings said he intended to ask the Internal Affairs Ministry to repeal parts of the Films, Videos and Publications Classification Act, drafted in 1993, so that all video games receive classification.Internal Affairs Minister Richard Worth said he provisionally supported the chief censor's view.
i completely agree with this, well maybe not jail....but im sick of doing my job under the law...and getting nothing but lies and abuse back from shitty parents who dont get why buying GTA for little 11 year old timmy is a bad thing
I agree. But I don't know if the age limit should be 18 for video games like gta it should probably be more like 16. If they are old enough to have kids and drive a car they're old enough to play gta imo.
Have you ever tried keeping the names and security camera pictures of all people who purchase games "for themselves" with their little kids present, take the list to a police station and saying you have reason to believe they are breaking the law?
age restrictions globally are pretty fucked,in NZ at 16 you can have sex but can't watch it
Have you ever tried keeping the names and security camera pictures of all people who purchase games "for themselves" with their little kids present, take the list to a police station and saying you have reason to believe they are breaking the law?I mean, it's a bit overboard, but if you feel that seriously about it... I wouldn't do it myself
Thats not the point though. A function of Ghost's job is to police games salesIts ridiculous. He shouldnt have to do it. But if he doesnt do it, who will? In fact: Who CARES?So somewhere, someone thought it would be a good idea to label all the 'bad' games. Parents see it and are meant to not buy them for their children, but they do it anyway. Ghost calls them on it and they scream "Arsehole!"I never thought that being part of the game/entertainment sales industry benefited from experience in being a traffic warden tooIm surprised that this hasnt generated more views since its similar to the ISP policing piracy bollocks
This dude reminds me of that Jack Thompson dude.
How would one police who was playing/watching what without invading a persons home on a daily basis?
Ban anyone who doesnt sound like they are over the age of 15 from the serverI'll never understand why the underages like to use voice chat
that fairy guy has a higher pitch voice... would you ban him?
ROFL smart arse
freedom of speech.violent video games dont cause problems.toughen the fuck up ghost, welcome to the pit of shit job that is retail
