Ban children from the internet

[strangerdanger22]

OH NOES CHILD GROOMING is often bitched by people who want to ruin the internet. So rather than fuck it up for everyone, why not ban under-18s?

Better yet, let's ban the internet from everyone under 35. On the other hand, that would include the majority of escapist audience..

lets put it this way whould you ban it and let a major population not acceess (or censor)the internet which goes directly against the constituition or have more and more demented honking from the "politically correct" (mass effect controversy anyone?). either way people on both sides are going to complain and nag to get what they want no matter how unfounded the allegations are.

 

[Malyc]

I started the Internet life at 12, year later...became a not complete idiot. More of a dick yes, but less of an idiot.

Edit: What I mean is, how about we allow children to get on the Internet if they are mature? Oh, and they can't use their voice...ever. Not until their balls drop.

Not even then. I think i have run into about 4 ppl in any online game who didn't immediatly start spouting off like some random gangsta from downtown Chicago, or shout "I JUST OWNED YOU BIOTCH!!!"

Its always the most noobish people who do it too...

Finally! Someone else that understands me!

This may be the start of a beautiful friendship.

Aright! We must band together to ban noobs from using the mics.

 

[darth gditch]

Um. No. Parents need to raise their own kids. It's not that hard to prevent kids from going on the internet if you put a little effort into it.

 

[The Bum]

when i have a child and it turn 10, I'm sending him straight to 4Chan ... he has to learn what's out there (and after that, it's off to the encyclopedia dramatica offended page with him!) :]

You sir are a man after my own heart. i was always the kid with the older frends who acted like i was a 20 yrold miget i turned out fine.

 

[effilctar]

Because kids under 18 also need the Internet for school work?

You... you really believe that? Kids use the internet for 4 things: Gaming; Porn; Socializing; Plagiarising Wikipedia.

I've had a computer all my life and access to the internet for a good 8 years now, yet when it comes to homework, I prefer and always use a textbook because the internet is 99.999999% horseshit.

 

[aaronmcc]

But then where will under age kids get their porn?

The old-fashioned way? Voyeurism, dirty magazines, and late night cable TV.

That's how I was raised and there's nothing wrong with me....


...[insert witty comment here contradicting previous statement]

 

[Troublesome Lagomorph]

I'm turning 16 this month... which means I would be banned.
And I've always been careful and I have a brain.

 

[KiruTheMant]

OH NOES CHILD GROOMING is often bitched by people who want to ruin the internet. So rather than fuck it up for everyone, why not ban under-18s? That way any situations involving children being raped are on the parents' heads, the internet doesn't "need" to be made into a shitty virtual Disney world and as soon as you hit 18 you're free to enjoy it as you like.

Morning TV show was yesterday whining about children using chatroulette and being "exposed" to guys jacking off on webcam, hence the thread.

Thoughts?

That the children need to be raised right,I learnt from my father,who was strict with me,but not my sister,I never rebelled and my sister screams the word "Fuck" like Samuel L. Jackson

 

[Crimsonsniper]

This is a great idea, whenever someone doesn't like it when a certain group of people do certain things it should just be banned for the lot of them. While we are at it lets ban old people from driving, woman from wearing pants, and young people from voting since none of them are responsible adults capable of making their own choices and we are all so pompous as to assume we know whats best for them. I got a better idea how about we just ban morons like those who post these stupid topics...

 

[Donttazemehbro]

These people can't seem to understand that...IT'S NOT THE WORLD'S JOB TO RAISE YOUR CHILDREN AND PROTECT THEIR INNOCENCE. Do it yourself. Be a less shitty parent. Watch what your kids are doing when online!

EXACTLY, not to mention the irritating voices and immiturity of the kids who think their badass on halo and MW2 and other games like that. Im getting sick of hearing "Oh yeah i have a girlfriend and im not a virgin and im not 10 years old and i own at this game" its really starting to piss me off.

 

[Booze Zombie]

I think everyone needs to take a intelligence test before being allowed to use the internet, regardless of age.

The basic test: "You see a site offering 'free, unpaid unlimited access to porno, long time', do you check it out? 1. Yes 2. No 3. I check a forum to see if it's laced with viruses."

 

[Ghadente]

Wouldn't be necessary to ban children if the parents were smart enough to learn how parental controls work, they could just discipline their kids (no i do not mean hitting them or any kind of abusive acts), or hell just explain to them what porn, curse words, and any other "taboo" crap they might find is because they are going to find it out sooner or later anyway. At least this way the parents can do some of the educating for once.

Children should definitely not be banne form the internet. However if parents feel the need to set up some parental blocks, more power to them. Though i defintiely feel it would be more detrimental to the child if they are restricted from internet usage all together because they will positively need to know how to use a computer if you want them to reach a higher potential of success in the world today.

there would be a lot less traffic online... and less shitty youtube videos

 

[Kelethor]

That is a terrible idea.
Terrible. Just terrible.

Banning kids under 18 so they don't get raped/molested/emotionally scarred/whatever other bullshit people are worried about? Why don't we just, ya know, teach them about the "dangers" of the internet? Or how about this craaaaaazy concept: How about we don't let 8 year olds use a service that says "YOU MUST BE 16 TO USE" right on the front page?

But then again, I'm 16, so my opinion clearly doesn't matter to you now does it?

[sub][sub] Obvious troll is obvious.[/sub][/sub]

This, pretty much. You know, if we start banning kids from the internet, why stop there? Why should we let stupid, moronic, USELESS children into our Movie theaters? there tiny, useless brains might ruin it for the rest of us? And how many of us are pissed when we see those little dip shits in Grocery stores!? I know I am.

All kidding aside, Im not saying your GOING to start a slipper slope, but it might. and if it does, I'll be pissed when im not allowed outside my house because my primitice, child like brain might ruin it for everyone else.

 

[bjj hero]

Why do I have to be banned from the internet? I don't troll, I don't force my opinion on others and I like being able to see pron without having to buy it from a judgemental newsagent.

Ban teenagers from the internet, you cut off their access to porn, the number of rapes per year explodes, beastiality and incest also rise in occurence. Brilliant move.

I would love to read the study that says rape, beastiality and incest was more prevalent before the internet. It just doesn't work that way.

People need the internet for school, and for keeping in touch with their friends.

What kids see on the internet isnt their fault, is it? Maybe pervs should stop jacking off to their webcams, or would you prefer if they ARE allowed to do it, as long as theres no kids watching?

Yes, if their are two consenting adults who want to whack off over the web cam thats fine. If their are kids watching its then an offence. I'm not for banning kids from the internet but you have to understand that children are curious and there are adults who will take advantage of that. Not everyone has responsible parents who will protect them from pervs like this, for me chatroulette needs to tighten up its entry requirements or get shut down (probably with legal action by parents).

People dont need the internet for school and keeping in touch. I never used the internet until I was an adult. Maybe if they didn't use the net libraries would flourish and kids would learn that reseach involves more than copy/paste/wikipedia.

Personally I want protecting from kids when gaming online. The fucktards who sing down the mic, TK constantly etc. I would love a filter that let you pick the age range you play with.

There are all of the tools you need to limit what your child views on the net available to parents. If they took an interest in their children instead of using the net/XBL as a cheap babysitter the world would be a better place.

Bumping into annoying 12 year olds on MW2 at 1am... I'd have them put into care as their parents are blatantly negligent at that point.

Having said all of that I don't think there should be a ban. Just keep the PC in the living room and most problems are avoided.

 

[PrimoThePro]

Snip.

I respectfully disagree. I had solid opinions, as well as a sensible mindset at the age of fifteen. I say don't ban kids. If it were to actually happen, I would say AT MOST, age twelve. The Escapist maximum age is 13, and I think that is fair. (Though there was this one kid who was twelve and seemed very mature, but was suspended for 365 days... That kinda sucked)

 

[Freyar]

Man.. this thread exploded over a single night. My last response is on page one, and the sole person to respond was suspended. Sheesh, too fast for me.

Anyway, the response as listed was as follows:

Punish the parents who allow their kids access to an internet-connected computer.

Again, how difficult it would be to enforce is not an argument.

When discussing law, enforceability is something that ought to be taken into consideration as an unenforceable law is simply just a waste of time, and an increase in redundancy [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/loadingreadyrun/1544-Redundancy] as more and more limitations and alterations to the law are put in place to try to make sure to cover the loopholes.

Frankly, banning kids from the internet is impossible. You also consider that the internet, while containing a bunch of drek that no human should observe, there is a number of resources that are there for research and learning. The ability to use the internet as a tool is too great to just block access completely.

The Escapist maximum age is 13, and I think that is fair. (Though there was this one kid who was twelve and seemed very mature, but was suspended for 365 days... That kinda sucked)

I think you mean minimum, and that is because it's the law. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act [http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/privacyinitiatives/childrens.html]. Mainly, it's because most sites don't want to be subject to the requirements, hence why a lot of sites have a minimum age limit of 13.

 

[Pegghead]

Well no I don't think we should have an age limit to the internet, I myself am 14.

Though what you're saying is true, going onto the internet means there are no rules and no protection, if you can accept that then you're fine and if not you have no right to ***** when you get someone wanking off on chat roulette.