UK Schools to report parents to the police if they allow their children to play 18 rated games.
- Thread starter CymbaIine
- Start date
Oh goodie. As I woke up today, I was thinking that the world doesn't suck enough and somebody needs to get on that.
And I hope the Police that get those reports burst out laughing in those teachers' faces. Same for the Social Care people.
And I'm sorry, Dogs of War? Do you mean Gears of War? Unless it's some game I've never heard of, at least know the fucking names of what you're being idiots about.
And I'm sorry, Dogs of War? Do you mean Gears of War? Unless it's some game I've never heard of, at least know the fucking names of what you're being idiots about.
I thought it was God of War.Elfgore said:
I also believe that it's only 18+ for purchase, not to play, and an adult can make the choice to let a child play it.
Finally, this is what they're focusing on?
Not the massive child rape increase, not the huge divide between poorer and richer families, not the massive drug use or teenage pregnancy increase, but "oh no, Timmy played Call of Duty and called someone a fag online".
Plus there was that National Student forum which declared that gay people are no longer allowed to do anything like a black women, the theatrical tradition of "drag" is now transphobic and forbidden, and people must now do jazz hands because clapping makes people too anxious.
This is my country. God helps us all.
I'm not sure the police / social services even have the power the heads think they do - the police can certainly go at a shop for selling an 18+ to an under-age gamer but I'm not sure that have any power outside of that? Everything I've read refers to them as a 'guideline' when it comes to parents. I've certainly never heard of a case where the police or social services for that matter, took legal action over a parent letting a child play GTA or what have you unless it became part of a wider thing (murder or something and the parent said "he played it!!!?!?!?!?!".
Will that actually do anything though?
Are UK laws different than us here in 'Merica because the ESRB (and the MPAA and whatnot) have no legal authority; stores voluntarily follow the ratings. You could report me all day for allowing a ten year old to play Grant Theft Auto while listening to "Fuck the Police" on eternal loop with Hostel playing in the picture-in-picture and there would be no legal leg for anyone to stand on to have me arrested.
This also seems like one of those things that will backfire horribly as I don't think I've known a single parent who has ever had a hard stance on ratings because, shockingly, kids are individuals. There are probably a handful of "Footloose" style parents where those kids are not allowed to listen to that devil music rock & roll or dance because dancing is basically having sex but the vast majority of parents are smarter than that.
Are UK laws different than us here in 'Merica because the ESRB (and the MPAA and whatnot) have no legal authority; stores voluntarily follow the ratings. You could report me all day for allowing a ten year old to play Grant Theft Auto while listening to "Fuck the Police" on eternal loop with Hostel playing in the picture-in-picture and there would be no legal leg for anyone to stand on to have me arrested.
This also seems like one of those things that will backfire horribly as I don't think I've known a single parent who has ever had a hard stance on ratings because, shockingly, kids are individuals. There are probably a handful of "Footloose" style parents where those kids are not allowed to listen to that devil music rock & roll or dance because dancing is basically having sex but the vast majority of parents are smarter than that.
Stranger things have happened in the US. Like this case.http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/21/living/mom-arrested-left-girl-park-parents/
While yeah, its not exactly advisable for under 18 to play mature games its all gonna depend on that kid. Obviously the younger they are the less likely they will be to separate fiction from reality. But some 13 year olds could understand it, and in contrast some 16 year olds would be badly effected. All we can do is hope that the parents are communicating with their kids about all the media they consume.
While yeah, its not exactly advisable for under 18 to play mature games its all gonna depend on that kid. Obviously the younger they are the less likely they will be to separate fiction from reality. But some 13 year olds could understand it, and in contrast some 16 year olds would be badly effected. All we can do is hope that the parents are communicating with their kids about all the media they consume.
This can't be real, the idea is just too stupid.
Firstly what authority do the schools in question think they have to be able to call the police over a choice of entertainment media? I can understand banning such things from school grounds but more than that is just overreaching to the extreme.
Secondly what proof would the schools even have that the kids are playing these games in their homes, also why just games there are plenty of other forms of media with an adult rating that could be in the home. Movies and music with explict themes or lyrics not to mention the damn internet that has litteraly illegal content one google search away.
This is just fucking bonkers and any parent or even a brain dead sea-urchin could see that.
Firstly what authority do the schools in question think they have to be able to call the police over a choice of entertainment media? I can understand banning such things from school grounds but more than that is just overreaching to the extreme.
Secondly what proof would the schools even have that the kids are playing these games in their homes, also why just games there are plenty of other forms of media with an adult rating that could be in the home. Movies and music with explict themes or lyrics not to mention the damn internet that has litteraly illegal content one google search away.
This is just fucking bonkers and any parent or even a brain dead sea-urchin could see that.
Eh? What does that matter? It's not illegal for an under 18 to watch nor play an 18 rated film or game, it's just the purchase (or watching in a cinema) that's illegal. If mum and dad say it's ok, then it's ok, there's no legal problem there.
OK, firstly, age ratings arent some kind of legal regulation, they are advisory symbols at best. There is no penalty for not following them.
Secondly, and exactly how will they proove that I bought my child this game? Obviously my kid buys all games by him/herself, I only give weekly allowences and like hell I'll ever let anyone use my cards.
Secondly, and exactly how will they proove that I bought my child this game? Obviously my kid buys all games by him/herself, I only give weekly allowences and like hell I'll ever let anyone use my cards.
Note the use of the word "retailer". That is trading standards. Parents are free to let their children watch/play 18 rated films/games. It may become an issue in a wider case of neglect, but on it's own it's not illegal. For example, parents are allowed to let their children drink alcohol at home, but if it becomes obvious they're getting pissed all the time social services might be called in.Unkillable Cat said:
Possibly not but then it is not the same thing. The primary reason (indeed the only reason) for watching porn is sexual titillation. That isn't the case for video games.thaluikhain said:
If the schools report this as a safeguarding issue most social services departments would investigate as standard. Investigate is a very broad term in this context and may just mean questioning the reporter for more details then taking no further action. However it is standard practice to then send a letter to parents to let them know they were investigated. The police would likely defer to social services to determine if there was a crime as neglect laws (and all child protection laws) are very vague.tippy2k2 said:
It's scare tactics, most parents are scared of social services and have very little understanding of their role and powers.
Im pretty sure what you quoted there applies only to retailer's, once the product has been purchased legally it is up to the consumer to decide its usage. The only laws i can find for the UK are those of the BBFC and PEGI ratings boards, both state they are simply guidlines and that national law often falls in line with the ratings system.Unkillable Cat said:
On the enforcable legal side action can only be taken against retailer's selling the items to underage clients.
The only law i can find for transfer of goods is called straw purchasing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_purchase
All the examples listed here as illegal are pretty straight forward, firearms, alchohol and fraudulent aquisition of money, no mention of entertainment media.
To quote the page directly:
"straw purchases are legal except in cases where the ultimate receiver of goods or services uses those goods or services in the commission of a crime with the prior knowledge of the straw purchaser, or if the ultimate possessor is not legally able to purchase the goods/services. In some jurisdictions straw purchases are legal in spite of the fact that the end user is not legally able to purchase the good or service himself."
That could potentialy include entertainment media but the wording is far too vauge to be certain. It seems ultimatly the descison to puruse legal action because of straw purchasing lies with the local/national courts and they probably have better things todo than that.
Oooooh. please oh please do it to a rich white kid whos parents have enough money to sue the shool for all they're worth!
Sounds like nothing more than a colossal waste of police time and resources.
But my opinion doesn't really count as I used to play GTA when I was 10 and now I'm a mass-murderer wanted for innumerable horrific crimes in 17 different countries.
But my opinion doesn't really count as I used to play GTA when I was 10 and now I'm a mass-murderer wanted for innumerable horrific crimes in 17 different countries.