I don't think mature games should be sold to kids, if their parents buy it them or are asked to buy it then that's their choice. I'm happy with that, but otherwise no. A little kid should not be able to walk into a shop and buy GTA,
There is not one single person in this thread who disagrees with you.
Um, yes there is, that's pretty much the whole point of this thread now. half the people say that it should be allowed to be sold to minors, half say it shouldn't.
Does anyone know for sure of policies one way or the other for certain retailers?
For example, I know GameStop implemented the thing a while back where if someone gets caught selling a game to someone too young to meet the rating, they are fired and they their family is disemboweled. But if I was a kid, I'd walk across the street to Target/Best Buy/what have you and buy it there. It doesn't really work unless everyone implements it (I'm not really considering situations such as the parent saying "you can go to GameStop ONLY and buy whatever you want there, because I know they won't sell you something inappropriate, etc.)
I'm not looking for a list of everyone, just curious if anyone knows offhand whether, say, Best Buy will sell a game regardless of age.
Hmm well it isn't always a choice of just going across the street to the next retailers, there are plenty of areas around here where there's only an ebSTOP or two (one next to the other no less). So in that situation it can be pretty effective for a kid, depending on how hellbent they are I suppose.
I'm 25 and the one I go to on occasion wouldn't sell me a used copy of Ninja Gaiden without seeing my ID which was pretty surprising to me since I never got carded for Halo 3. I'm guessing there's just been a major crackdown in company policy and that I don't buy all that many M rated games.
I don't think mature games should be sold to kids, if their parents buy it them or are asked to buy it then that's their choice. I'm happy with that, but otherwise no. A little kid should not be able to walk into a shop and buy GTA,
There is not one single person in this thread who disagrees with you.
Um, yes there is, that's pretty much the whole point of this thread now. half the people say that it should be allowed to be sold to minors, half say it shouldn't.
Nope. Half the people say that the government shouldn't have any hand in saying who it can be sold to. That's the point. Publishers, private ratings boards and retailers can organize whatever sort of system they want.
I don't think mature games should be sold to kids, if their parents buy it them or are asked to buy it then that's their choice. I'm happy with that, but otherwise no. A little kid should not be able to walk into a shop and buy GTA,
There is not one single person in this thread who disagrees with you.
Um, yes there is, that's pretty much the whole point of this thread now. half the people say that it should be allowed to be sold to minors, half say it shouldn't.
Does anyone know for sure of policies one way or the other for certain retailers?
For example, I know GameStop implemented the thing a while back where if someone gets caught selling a game to someone too young to meet the rating, they are fired and they their family is disemboweled. But if I was a kid, I'd walk across the street to Target/Best Buy/what have you and buy it there. It doesn't really work unless everyone implements it (I'm not really considering situations such as the parent saying "you can go to GameStop ONLY and buy whatever you want there, because I know they won't sell you something inappropriate, etc.)
I'm not looking for a list of everyone, just curious if anyone knows offhand whether, say, Best Buy will sell a game regardless of age.
Well, a couple of years ago I was buying games from Best Buy without issue. In the last 6 months I've been carded both times that I bought a mature 360 game from them (and one of those times I looked like a hobo thanks to not shaving for a week, so they don't just eyeball it). I've never had Fry's ask for ID, but I'm 25 so they could just have a policy of carding anyone who looks like they could be underage.
Same thing has started happening to me at my local Best Buy (even though I'm 37, beard, with long hair and go in to the same store all the time). It does look like they're following an age restriction policy which is perfectly acceptable in my opinion.
e: clarification on the "I don't let my children see things that are inappropriate for them" section. I don't let them see things that I feel are innapropriate. Comic hijinx ah-la three stooges is fine. When they start acting these things out I explain to them how they could actually hurt someone or themselves by imitating what they've seen. But there is a level that is too much for them at their current age.
I don't think anyone is disagreeing with that notion. What we disagree with is that the government should be the one making the decision as to what level is too much for your kids. Its quite likely that what you consider in-appropriate for you kids I consider fine for mine. When you add a government restriction based on an arbitrary system that does NOT take into account the differing maturity levels between kids of the same age or the different cultural and moral systems they are raised in then you create a system that imposes someone elses values on your children. That is the job of the parents, not the government. This is especially true when discussing something as ethereal as "harmful images" and the like which have no specific, scientifically-proven "damage" caused.
edit: realized I sounded rude...cleaned it up a bit.
I don't think mature games should be sold to kids, if their parents buy it them or are asked to buy it then that's their choice. I'm happy with that, but otherwise no. A little kid should not be able to walk into a shop and buy GTA,
Because their parents shouldn't let them? I don't know about you and yours, but my little kid isn't going to have that kind of easy access to a mall/ebstop and that kind of funds at the same time.
This got me thinking about punishments for obtaining an M rated game without my permission... which would probably be cutting the power cord for the offending system in multiple places...
Yeah, I keep seeing people saying "but kids will get the game anyway!" and I've been wondering why they think that. Sure, they could buy the game if the retailer failed to apply the appropriate store policy, but when they get it home they still have to get it into the gaming system without me noticing. If it's a game I feel is inappropriate, then it goes right back. Just like that. If its a game that I have specifically stated is inappropriate, then it goes right back, and I punish the hell out of them. It's called "parenting".
In the US (and especially amongst people who post on the Internet), the prevailing mentality seems to be: "the Government can stay the hell away, I don't trust them". That's a shame.
So this is from pages ago and Marlor has left the thread, but I saw it at work and really wanted to respond but couldn't post at the time.
Your italicized part is the entire basis of the American system of government. It's good to be inherently distrustful of those in power. If your politicians think that you trust them completely to decide what's right for you then they do shit that they say is for your own good but ends up being completely wrong and backwards (i.e. the Iraq mess).
Trusting people to decide what is good for you is not the way to go through life. There are instances where it might be a good thing to listen to others, if you're addicted to heroin, but to have someone say, "This here game is not good and wholesome so you should face hefty penalties if you purchase it and you're younger than the recommended age," is just wrong. I italicized recommended because that's all it is. There are no hard scientific facts that prove that violent/sexual imagery causes psychological harm to young children.
I don't think mature games should be sold to kids, if their parents buy it them or are asked to buy it then that's their choice. I'm happy with that, but otherwise no. A little kid should not be able to walk into a shop and buy GTA,
Because their parents shouldn't let them? I don't know about you and yours, but my little kid isn't going to have that kind of easy access to a mall/ebstop and that kind of funds at the same time.
This got me thinking about punishments for obtaining an M rated game without my permission... which would probably be cutting the power cord for the offending system in multiple places...
Yeah, I keep seeing people saying "but kids will get the game anyway!" and I've been wondering why they think that. Sure, they could buy the game if the retailer failed to apply the appropriate store policy, but when they get it home they still have to get it into the gaming system without me noticing. If it's a game I feel is inappropriate, then it goes right back. Just like that. If its a game that I have specifically stated is inappropriate, then it goes right back, and I punish the hell out of them. It's called "parenting".
There's a saying that goes "It takes a village to raise a child." I've always taken it to mean that we all need to do our part in showing children right from wrong.
I think it's been misconstrued recently - most parents seem to take it to mean that since the village is raising the child, they don't have to. :x
Dusdais ashamed of this postSLC, UTRegistered Userregular
edited April 2008
Its great to hear some solid positive news on this front, but we all know this isn't over. I don't think it will be until we see these studies presented in a positive view on Oprah.
I don't think mature games should be sold to kids, if their parents buy it them or are asked to buy it then that's their choice. I'm happy with that, but otherwise no. A little kid should not be able to walk into a shop and buy GTA,
There is not one single person in this thread who disagrees with you.
Um, yes there is, that's pretty much the whole point of this thread now. half the people say that it should be allowed to be sold to minors, half say it shouldn't.
Does anyone know for sure of policies one way or the other for certain retailers?
For example, I know GameStop implemented the thing a while back where if someone gets caught selling a game to someone too young to meet the rating, they are fired and they their family is disemboweled. But if I was a kid, I'd walk across the street to Target/Best Buy/what have you and buy it there. It doesn't really work unless everyone implements it (I'm not really considering situations such as the parent saying "you can go to GameStop ONLY and buy whatever you want there, because I know they won't sell you something inappropriate, etc.)
I'm not looking for a list of everyone, just curious if anyone knows offhand whether, say, Best Buy will sell a game regardless of age.
Well, a couple of years ago I was buying games from Best Buy without issue. In the last 6 months I've been carded both times that I bought a mature 360 game from them (and one of those times I looked like a hobo thanks to not shaving for a week, so they don't just eyeball it). I've never had Fry's ask for ID, but I'm 25 so they could just have a policy of carding anyone who looks like they could be underage.
Just about everyone cards me now and I don't have an ID, so that's a problem for me. The Best Buy girl got approval for the manager and I glared at the guy at Gamestop until he rang me up after he refused to even look at my college ID. I was at Wal-Mart for a friend so the old man just let him pay for it.
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Saint JusticeMercenaryMah-vel Baybee!!!Registered Userregular
Like, can I buy 100 copies and give them out to children like candy?
"Hey, little kid, I've got some free GTA IV in the back of my van."
Exactly.
Also, reVerse, your concept of what is and is not censorship is wrong. As Houk said, it's not a matter of opinion and it's not up for discussion. It's you being factually incorrect as to the definition of censorship. Governmental restriction of any artistic endeavor in any way, be it the a restriction or alteration of work itself, an outright ban on the ability to disseminate the work, or limiting its consumption which is what government-imposed age restriction would be are all forms of censorship. Period.
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DyvionBack in Sunny Florida!!Registered Userregular
It's amazing how many laws we've seen that have the government taking responsibility for children because parents won't or can't. Heaven forbid a parent have an active role in their child's upbringing, and be involved enough in their life to know what they're doing, what they're interested in, where they need to be encouraged, where they need to be guided, and where they need to be told "no". How fortunate for parents who can't be bothered to raise their child that we have a government that's increasingly stepping up to tell them what they can see, what they can hear, what they can know, and what they can play.
It's so hard to be a parent, and when you have no time to spend with your child, it becomes a real concern when you discover that the TV may not be the ideal babysitter. The solution, of course, is to change the TV. After all, when you don't have the patience, courage or persistence to teach your children right from wrong, you need to have the reassurance that someone or something else will do it for you.
And when you don't even have the time to keep track of what your kid is doing, it's nice to know that they couldn't have gotten anything the government deems inappropriate, because it's their standards, not yours, that are important. Sure, your child will play the game at his friend's house anyway, but you've done your role as a parent by leaving everything in the hands of the system. Why talk to your child about disturbing media, when you can trust that the government won't let him (or her) see it? After all, it's not your responsibility to open their eyes to the world, and teach them the good from the bad, the real from the fake, the right from the wrong.
It's hard raising a kid today. Lucky for us, we're getting closer and closer to that wonderful time when we won't have to, because the laws will all be in place to do our parenting for us.
I italicized recommended because that's all it is. There are no hard scientific facts that prove that violent/sexual imagery causes psychological harm to young children.
This is, to me, the most ignored part of this argument. Until there is a factual basis for this idea, then its up to the PARENT to decide what they believe is best for the child.
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DyvionBack in Sunny Florida!!Registered Userregular
The majority in this thread seem to be missing a key part of the debate. No-one wants the government to be able to choose what media your children enjoy; what some want is for children not to be able to choose anything they like. If laws were passed to make the US rating system binding, you could still buy GTA and give it to your eight-year old and let them play. It's a strawman to say "it's up to the parent" because changing the law would make it even more up to the parent.
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DyvionBack in Sunny Florida!!Registered Userregular
The majority in this thread seem to be missing a key part of the debate. No-one wants the government to be able to choose what media your children enjoy; what some want is for children not to be able to choose anything they like. If laws were passed to make the US rating system binding, you could still buy GTA and give it to your eight-year old and let them play. It's a strawman to say "it's up to the parent" because changing the law would make it even more up to the parent.
Ah, but would the law include verbage that states that providing such content to minors is Contributing to their Delinquancy. Most likely if the law prevented children from purchasing it, then it would also include the above phrase, which would mean jail time for the parent involved. But is that bad? I say yes. Ratings systems should not be enforced -by the government-.
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Ah, but would the law include verbage that states that providing such content to minors is Contributing to their Delinquancy. Most likely if the law prevented children from purchasing it, then it would also include the above phrase, which would mean jail time for the parent involved. But is that bad? I say yes. Ratings systems should not be enforced -by the government-.
I don't see why it would have to.* Besides, (not necessarily you) argue the points people are making; don't straw man.
* Although you're not allowed to give minors alcohol in the US, right? When America bans things, it bans them all the way baby.
Is it me or is that one of the sanest letters we've read by JT? He doesn't refer to himself in the third person and there seems to be much less ranting than usual. Is he still restricted from submitting new things (yeah my legalese could use a bit of work) to the FL court? Because if so that is such a great thing. Here we are, coming up on one of the most anticipated 'controversial' games against his arch nemesis, and he can't even submit something to (once again) try and get it stopped being sold.
Any time someone says that it shouldn't matter if the clerk sells the M-rated game to the kid, because its up to the parent to make sure he doesn't play it, someone always counters with, "I can't watch my child 24/7! If the clerk sells him the game he can just play it when I'm not around."
If your kid is so hellbent on disobeying you when you're not around, why do you think that preventing the sale will help? If he can't buy violent games in the store, he'll just turn to P2P to get his fix. On top of that, now he's got $50-60 bucks to burn through since he didn't have to spend it on a game, so he might as well score some pot.
You get home. Your son's now a brainwashed killer, your computer is riddled with malware, your dog's covered in silly string, and all the Doritos are gone.
Parents have a tough even time as it is without even more things being against them. I'm sure when you're grown-up, you'll be annoyed when your child gets ahold of something you don't want them to.
Or are you fine with porn and pot being sold freely to minors too?
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DyvionBack in Sunny Florida!!Registered Userregular
Ah, but would the law include verbage that states that providing such content to minors is Contributing to their Delinquancy. Most likely if the law prevented children from purchasing it, then it would also include the above phrase, which would mean jail time for the parent involved. But is that bad? I say yes. Ratings systems should not be enforced -by the government-.
I don't see why it would have to.* Besides, (not necessarily you) argue the points people are making; don't straw man.
* Although you're not allowed to give minors alcohol in the US, right? When America makes law, it makes law all the way baby.
Right, no alcohol for minors. Or Porn. Or porn with minors. Or minors with alcohol. I think it's worded that way too.
Dyvion on
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The majority in this thread seem to be missing a key part of the debate. No-one wants the government to be able to choose what media your children enjoy; what some want is for children not to be able to choose anything they like. If laws were passed to make the US rating system binding, you could still buy GTA and give it to your eight-year old and let them play. It's a strawman to say "it's up to the parent" because changing the law would make it even more up to the parent.
So, you think the government should be able to regulate who can buy what?
Sure, FUCK free market capitalism!
If somethingis a proven hazard, then legislation makes sense, but in ALL other cases, the government should have no say.
Or are you fine with porn and pot being sold freely to minors too?
Okay now this is some serious bullshit. "You think restricting the sale of M-rated games to minors would be relatively ineffective at actually preventing minors from playing said games, therefore you think that minors should be allowed to smoke pot and look at pornography."
The majority in this thread seem to be missing a key part of the debate. No-one wants the government to be able to choose what media your children enjoy; what some want is for children not to be able to choose anything they like. If laws were passed to make the US rating system binding, you could still buy GTA and give it to your eight-year old and let them play. It's a strawman to say "it's up to the parent" because changing the law would make it even more up to the parent.
Let's be honest with ourselves here. The average parent isn't going to me making any choice if a law like this passes. At least, not an active choice. Rather, they're just going to do what a lot of them do now anyways, which is one of two things:
1. Refuse to get anything M-Rated (or T-rated, for some).
2. Get anything their kid wants, regardless.
A parent always has the opportunity to look at what their kid is playing and say "no, that's not gonna' happen in my house". All that a law like this does is it relieves them of the responsibility to make that choice. The government has already deemed it inappropriate, and either they'll go along with that, or they won't care.
The difference is, the way things are now forces a parent to pay attention.
Parents have a tough even time as it is without even more things being against them. I'm sure when you're grown-up, you'll be annoyed when your child gets ahold of something you don't want them to.
Or are you fine with porn and pot being sold freely to minors too?
Raise your kids to not seek out things that are dangerous to themselves.
The majority in this thread seem to be missing a key part of the debate. No-one wants the government to be able to choose what media your children enjoy; what some want is for children not to be able to choose anything they like. If laws were passed to make the US rating system binding, you could still buy GTA and give it to your eight-year old and let them play. It's a strawman to say "it's up to the parent" because changing the law would make it even more up to the parent.
So, you think the government should be able to regulate who can buy what?
Did you see my post mentioning straw-men and think "gotta use me one of those!" or something?
Also, I refer you to the US government which err, regulates who can buy what.
Or are you fine with porn and pot being sold freely to minors too?
Okay now this is some serious bullshit. "You think restricting the sale of M-rated games to minors would be relatively ineffective at actually preventing minors from playing said games, therefore you think that minors should be allowed to smoke pot and look at pornography."
If you think enforcing game ratings is pointless because it would be ineffective, then logically you must think the same about porn. Do you?
Or are you fine with porn and pot being sold freely to minors too?
Granted, I'm not a parent, but to be perfectly honest:
1. I don't see what society's stigma against pornography is. It's not like it's going to hurt a kid. Odds are good that if they don't understand it, they won't understand it. And if they do understand it, they've probably seen enough already that it's not going to change anything for them.
2. Pot, on the other hand, is a drug, and can have averse physical affect on those that use it. The same cannot be said of videogames.
If you don't have the time/energy to parent well, then don't fucking have kids in the first place.
Being lazy/busy is no excuse for failing to raise an upstanding citizen.
<insert ludicrous comment about choosing to have children vs. parenting>
Much debate to be had here.
CaspianX wrote:
1. I don't see what society's stigma against pornography is. It's not like it's going to hurt a kid. Odds are good that if they don't understand it, they won't understand it. And if they do understand it, they've probably seen enough already that it's not going to change anything for them.
I think I just had a seizure.
Dyvion on
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The majority in this thread seem to be missing a key part of the debate. No-one wants the government to be able to choose what media your children enjoy; what some want is for children not to be able to choose anything they like. If laws were passed to make the US rating system binding, you could still buy GTA and give it to your eight-year old and let them play. It's a strawman to say "it's up to the parent" because changing the law would make it even more up to the parent.
So, you think the government should be able to regulate who can buy what?
Did you see my post mentioning straw-men and think "gotta use me one of those!" or something?
No, but I did see YOUR strawmen about pot and porn.
BUt instead of ignoring my point, answer me this: DO you really think that the government should be able to regulate who can buy what in areas where there is ZERO proven inherent harm?
It would make FAR more sense to force people to obtain a license for having kids.
It would make FAR more sense to force people to obtain a license for having kids.
This is something I fully endorse. There are way too many people out there who absolutely should not have kids. Sadly, these people tend to be the likeliest to have as many kids as possible.
Game ratings exist IN ORDER TO PREVENT Government interference.
If the government wanted to enforce ratings, the ESRB might (and, IMO, should) disband. The reason that the industry supports the ESRB is to keep the government out.
I don't understand why people want the government to control every aspect of their lives.
Most people here are generally in agreement that videogames can have a negative mental impact on young (not like, 15, 16) children, aren't they? Same with schlock gore films.
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Hmm well it isn't always a choice of just going across the street to the next retailers, there are plenty of areas around here where there's only an ebSTOP or two (one next to the other no less). So in that situation it can be pretty effective for a kid, depending on how hellbent they are I suppose.
I'm 25 and the one I go to on occasion wouldn't sell me a used copy of Ninja Gaiden without seeing my ID which was pretty surprising to me since I never got carded for Halo 3. I'm guessing there's just been a major crackdown in company policy and that I don't buy all that many M rated games.
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Same thing has started happening to me at my local Best Buy (even though I'm 37, beard, with long hair and go in to the same store all the time). It does look like they're following an age restriction policy which is perfectly acceptable in my opinion.
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I don't think anyone is disagreeing with that notion. What we disagree with is that the government should be the one making the decision as to what level is too much for your kids. Its quite likely that what you consider in-appropriate for you kids I consider fine for mine. When you add a government restriction based on an arbitrary system that does NOT take into account the differing maturity levels between kids of the same age or the different cultural and moral systems they are raised in then you create a system that imposes someone elses values on your children. That is the job of the parents, not the government. This is especially true when discussing something as ethereal as "harmful images" and the like which have no specific, scientifically-proven "damage" caused.
edit: realized I sounded rude...cleaned it up a bit.
Guild Wars 2: Kendrik.5984
Yeah, I keep seeing people saying "but kids will get the game anyway!" and I've been wondering why they think that. Sure, they could buy the game if the retailer failed to apply the appropriate store policy, but when they get it home they still have to get it into the gaming system without me noticing. If it's a game I feel is inappropriate, then it goes right back. Just like that. If its a game that I have specifically stated is inappropriate, then it goes right back, and I punish the hell out of them. It's called "parenting".
Guild Wars 2: Kendrik.5984
So this is from pages ago and Marlor has left the thread, but I saw it at work and really wanted to respond but couldn't post at the time.
Your italicized part is the entire basis of the American system of government. It's good to be inherently distrustful of those in power. If your politicians think that you trust them completely to decide what's right for you then they do shit that they say is for your own good but ends up being completely wrong and backwards (i.e. the Iraq mess).
Trusting people to decide what is good for you is not the way to go through life. There are instances where it might be a good thing to listen to others, if you're addicted to heroin, but to have someone say, "This here game is not good and wholesome so you should face hefty penalties if you purchase it and you're younger than the recommended age," is just wrong. I italicized recommended because that's all it is. There are no hard scientific facts that prove that violent/sexual imagery causes psychological harm to young children.
There's a saying that goes "It takes a village to raise a child." I've always taken it to mean that we all need to do our part in showing children right from wrong.
I think it's been misconstrued recently - most parents seem to take it to mean that since the village is raising the child, they don't have to. :x
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Just about everyone cards me now and I don't have an ID, so that's a problem for me. The Best Buy girl got approval for the manager and I glared at the guy at Gamestop until he rang me up after he refused to even look at my college ID. I was at Wal-Mart for a friend so the old man just let him pay for it.
Whoa, whoa, whoa? GUNRAPE? Please elaborate, because that sounds a bit over the top.
Exactly.
Also, reVerse, your concept of what is and is not censorship is wrong. As Houk said, it's not a matter of opinion and it's not up for discussion. It's you being factually incorrect as to the definition of censorship. Governmental restriction of any artistic endeavor in any way, be it the a restriction or alteration of work itself, an outright ban on the ability to disseminate the work, or limiting its consumption which is what government-imposed age restriction would be are all forms of censorship. Period.
From what I can infer, because the game isn't out and I haven't played it, It's "Male Anal Gunrape [TM]" and it appears in a cutscene.
Just ew.
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It's so hard to be a parent, and when you have no time to spend with your child, it becomes a real concern when you discover that the TV may not be the ideal babysitter. The solution, of course, is to change the TV. After all, when you don't have the patience, courage or persistence to teach your children right from wrong, you need to have the reassurance that someone or something else will do it for you.
And when you don't even have the time to keep track of what your kid is doing, it's nice to know that they couldn't have gotten anything the government deems inappropriate, because it's their standards, not yours, that are important. Sure, your child will play the game at his friend's house anyway, but you've done your role as a parent by leaving everything in the hands of the system. Why talk to your child about disturbing media, when you can trust that the government won't let him (or her) see it? After all, it's not your responsibility to open their eyes to the world, and teach them the good from the bad, the real from the fake, the right from the wrong.
It's hard raising a kid today. Lucky for us, we're getting closer and closer to that wonderful time when we won't have to, because the laws will all be in place to do our parenting for us.
Yeah. I'm also assuming based on the rating (ie. not AO) that it's going to be non-graphic in nature. At least thats what I hoping...
Guild Wars 2: Kendrik.5984
Consider the fact that he is aready accusing them of a crime that they haven't even had a chance to commit yet.
edit: he is also asking the police to get involved on a NON-legal matter.
This is, to me, the most ignored part of this argument. Until there is a factual basis for this idea, then its up to the PARENT to decide what they believe is best for the child.
Guild Wars 2: Kendrik.5984
Fixed.
PSN: Dyvion -- Eternal: Dyvion+9393 -- Genshin Impact: Dyvion
Ah, but would the law include verbage that states that providing such content to minors is Contributing to their Delinquancy. Most likely if the law prevented children from purchasing it, then it would also include the above phrase, which would mean jail time for the parent involved. But is that bad? I say yes. Ratings systems should not be enforced -by the government-.
PSN: Dyvion -- Eternal: Dyvion+9393 -- Genshin Impact: Dyvion
I don't see why it would have to.* Besides, (not necessarily you) argue the points people are making; don't straw man.
* Although you're not allowed to give minors alcohol in the US, right? When America bans things, it bans them all the way baby.
If your kid is so hellbent on disobeying you when you're not around, why do you think that preventing the sale will help? If he can't buy violent games in the store, he'll just turn to P2P to get his fix. On top of that, now he's got $50-60 bucks to burn through since he didn't have to spend it on a game, so he might as well score some pot.
You get home. Your son's now a brainwashed killer, your computer is riddled with malware, your dog's covered in silly string, and all the Doritos are gone.
Or are you fine with porn and pot being sold freely to minors too?
Right, no alcohol for minors. Or Porn. Or porn with minors. Or minors with alcohol. I think it's worded that way too.
PSN: Dyvion -- Eternal: Dyvion+9393 -- Genshin Impact: Dyvion
So, you think the government should be able to regulate who can buy what?
Sure, FUCK free market capitalism!
If somethingis a proven hazard, then legislation makes sense, but in ALL other cases, the government should have no say.
Let's be honest with ourselves here. The average parent isn't going to me making any choice if a law like this passes. At least, not an active choice. Rather, they're just going to do what a lot of them do now anyways, which is one of two things:
1. Refuse to get anything M-Rated (or T-rated, for some).
2. Get anything their kid wants, regardless.
A parent always has the opportunity to look at what their kid is playing and say "no, that's not gonna' happen in my house". All that a law like this does is it relieves them of the responsibility to make that choice. The government has already deemed it inappropriate, and either they'll go along with that, or they won't care.
The difference is, the way things are now forces a parent to pay attention.
Raise your kids to not seek out things that are dangerous to themselves.
It's a simple solution.
Being lazy/busy is no excuse for failing to raise an upstanding citizen.
Did you see my post mentioning straw-men and think "gotta use me one of those!" or something?
Also, I refer you to the US government which err, regulates who can buy what.
If you think enforcing game ratings is pointless because it would be ineffective, then logically you must think the same about porn. Do you?
Granted, I'm not a parent, but to be perfectly honest:
1. I don't see what society's stigma against pornography is. It's not like it's going to hurt a kid. Odds are good that if they don't understand it, they won't understand it. And if they do understand it, they've probably seen enough already that it's not going to change anything for them.
2. Pot, on the other hand, is a drug, and can have averse physical affect on those that use it. The same cannot be said of videogames.
Never stopped me.
<insert ludicrous comment about choosing to have children vs. parenting>
Much debate to be had here.
CaspianX wrote:
I think I just had a seizure.
PSN: Dyvion -- Eternal: Dyvion+9393 -- Genshin Impact: Dyvion
No, but I did see YOUR strawmen about pot and porn.
BUt instead of ignoring my point, answer me this: DO you really think that the government should be able to regulate who can buy what in areas where there is ZERO proven inherent harm?
It would make FAR more sense to force people to obtain a license for having kids.
This is something I fully endorse. There are way too many people out there who absolutely should not have kids. Sadly, these people tend to be the likeliest to have as many kids as possible.
If the government wanted to enforce ratings, the ESRB might (and, IMO, should) disband. The reason that the industry supports the ESRB is to keep the government out.
I don't understand why people want the government to control every aspect of their lives.