Everyone Be Afraid! Predators Move To Game Consoles
from the fear-fear-fear! dept
There's a neat little rule in press coverage: three stories makes a "trend" even if there's not much more to it. This works particularly well on stories where you're trying to scare people into worrying about something "bad" happening out there. Of course, rather than explore how widespread the problem is, the report usually just quotes a few biased individuals and spreads the message of "fear, fear, fear!" Witness this story in USA Today claiming that sexual predators are using gaming consoles to target kids. It hits all the points: scary situation, lists out three cases, quotes a few police officers claiming it's a big deal -- but doesn't provide any evidence or stats on how widespread this really is.You would think that the press would have learned to be careful about this, given that a whole bunch of studies came out in the last year showing that the press greatly exaggerated the "threat" of predators on social networks, as they're really not that widespread and the actual threat is minimal. But I guess reality and facts don't sell as many newspapers as blind fear mongering. So, while I'm sure that this is happening in a few isolated cases, it's hard to believe that this is particularly widespread. If it's not really happening much on social networks (where this sort of "grooming" would be easier), it seems unlikely that it's widespread on gaming consoles. And, of course, most kids know better than to engage with such strangers online, anyway.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Filed Under: gaming consoles, hype, predators
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
TFA
Um, Halo3 at least is rated M. Where are the parents?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: TFA
I think that the parents of this child recognize that the morons who rate the games and the people who claim that video games are the problem with violence among children, are full of shit.
Also, there is no possible way that you can put adult videos through a game such as Halo3. period. All you can do is make a capture of gameplay an post it to your gamer profile.
Now, there has to be some parental intervention concerning rated M games. Halo 3 in my eyes - needs to be rated M. But with morons rating games and those that believe idiotic stories like this, there will never be a fair rating system.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: TFA
Now, there has to be some parental intervention concerning rated M games. Halo 3 in my eyes - needs to be rated **(Less than)M. And games such as Grand theft auto, need to be rated (Greater Than)M.** But with morons rating games and those that believe idiotic stories like this, there will never be a fair rating system.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: TFA - HTML lesson
How's that? ;)
It doesn't take much, just learn a few simple codes:
< = <
> = >
& = &
... assuming I didn't screw that up. The preview replaces the HTML so I'm reluctant to preview to make sure. :)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: TFA
I actually currently have an 18-yo step-son. Have had since he was 8 or so. Over the years, he has had a Wii, a GameCube, a PlayStation, a PS2, a PS3, and an original X-Box.
It is only in the last year or two that we have bought him any "M" games. Do we realize he probably plays them at his friends houses? Even at his dad's house? Sure. Did we provide them? No.
I completely reject the theory that any M game is appropriate for a 10-year-old child, or that it is the only option for an engaging game for that child.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: TFA
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Parents are at work
And by he way, I notice that one can't post without leaving an email address anymore on the precious Techdirt blog. Umm, isn't that bad too?
Far too much whining on this blog and far too little clear thinking about the implications for all us in terms of free speech and networked communications.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Parents are at work
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Parents are at work
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Parents are at work
"Techdirt has devolved into a circle jerk of people who seem to think the the Internet in unlike the real world -- a great place often ruined by the few awful people that chose to exploit it."
And your point is?
The same can be said for any other form of communication or real life for that matter.
The point here is sensationalist reporting with little or no evidence to back it up.
And it is the parents who are ultimately responsible for monitoring their children's activity on game boxes and to educate them about the potential dangers even if they are remote.
Working your butt off to pay for the latest adult toy doesn't count for child rearing.
ttfn
John
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Parents are at work
Wait, so you agree with the point that we're making, but you're upset that we're making it?
And, what do you mean by "self-righteous"? We provide our opinion, that's all. And we leave the comments open to anyone who wants to respond. If we were really so self-righteous why would we leave the comments open for discussion?
The internet is not perfect, and no parent has the ability to monitor it.
Who said we think parents should monitor all the time. We have not. We have said that parents *should* teach their kids how to deal with dangers online if they're not going to be around.
And by he way, I notice that one can't post without leaving an email address anymore on the precious Techdirt blog. Umm, isn't that bad too?
That's simply not true. You can post without an email address.
Far too much whining on this blog and far too little clear thinking about the implications for all us in terms of free speech and networked communications.
What have we not covered that you think we should?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Parents are at work
If your 11 yr old kid hears the word "fuck".....what is that going to do to him/her? NOTHING! If they decapitate what is basically a cartoon what will happen? NOTHING (if you believe sound scientific studies done by neutral parties). Sex? NOTHING. Generations of kids have been exposed to dads magazines and stag films with no ill effects (its usually the extremely repressive families that spawn sexual predators) My son and I have been gaming side-by-side since he was 8 and all its done is improve our relationship and communication with each other.....Halo included. Nothing "self-righteous" about it.
Anyhow, whats your point? Do you want more government intervention on what should be a decision made by you, the parent? if so, are you really that spineless that you can't censor your own kids game time....you need big white daddy government who knows best to do it for you? Do you really think this kind of journalism is responsible?
ANSWER ME DAM YOU!!
;)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Parents are at work
no, the internet is exactly like the real world: packed to the brim with people that cry about being either too lazy or too stupid to protect themselves from the criminals that prey on them. the internet is a dark and sinister place full of mean spirited people, just like the real world... if you don't keep your wits about you someone will take advantage of you.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: TFA
Mature 17+
Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Push that manure
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
What do you know
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Media is...
But; the Press is IN the entertainment industry, no the information industry.
Sensationalism (pronounced here as "bullshit") sells, creates a buzz, and keeps people tuning in to their daily dose of spoon-fed thoughts... besides, who wants to think for themselves?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Sorry, I had to ;-p
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
LIES!!!!
Not true there are no girls on the internet.
/sarcasm
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
HeadLine
The above might sell a news paper.
SEXUAL PREDATORS LURE KIDS WITH SEX AND DRUGS IN GAMES
This will sell papers.
Which one do you think would be used?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Oh wait, that actually requires research.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
fear mongering and agresivity
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: fear mongering and agresivity
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
@Parents are at work
PS.. Here is my email address if you want it.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: @Parents are at work
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: @Parents are at work
Are you that brain-dead that you can't see that the news organizations are simply demonizing these technologies because they know most parents don't understand their exact nature hence they can up the fear factor to bring in ratings? Are YOU aware that game consoles have had a lock-out function to keep your kids from the machines during unsupervised times for the past 2-3 generations of systems?
BTW, if your work is keeping you from doing a proper job as a parent....you are NOT a "good" parent. Your intentions may be stellar but in reality your parenting blows. No banana sticker for you.
Lastly, the world shouldn't have to be have every sharp edge removed because a minority of parents find it inconvenient to sit their ass down after dinner and try to understand something about the activities their wailing little tots participate in. Such people are turning entertainment in lukewarm, boring, "safe" pap and the media is only too happy to help with that endeavor.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
I've been to America and I can tell you sometimes it felt really weird watching news... making threats out of everything. But for Americaans it's normal. Sometimes it was really funny... news reporter talking about some total nonsense like it could kill everyone on our planet... tragic voice, 'funeral' face... now when I think about it, it's not funny... it's scary.
Let's have some more fear mongering. These guys, warning us about all those threats like internet predators and killing computer games - THEY are the threat.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Parent's have responsibility...it goes without saying. But we should not fool ourselves that that alone will take care of things.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Pay attention to the part where they say how they created fear and panic in the general populous.
Protip: Read the wikipedia article about The "Council on Foreign Relations".
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Random Gamer:*shoots Predator in the face* Haha! Take that!
Yeah that'll work better than social network stalking.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
So, here are the numbers on it;
1,407,724,920 (Internet usage worldwide)
3 (cases sited about this)
Thats
0.000000002131%
Really newsworthy
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/legal/termsofuse.shtml
Eligibility.
You represent that you are an adult in your country of residence. You agree to these Terms of Use on behalf of yourself and, at your discretion, for one (1) minor child for whom you are a parent or guardian and whom you have authorized to use the account you create on the Service.
So, to even install the game legally was the parents responsibility.
PARENTS YOUR RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR CHILD, NOT SCHOOLS the INTERNET, or TV, etc ... YOU ARE ...
So please wake up to your responsibility!!!!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Predators seem to use a variety of tools. WoW is just another one of them.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Say it isn't so
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
To Jan
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
We get signal.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: We get signal.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: We get signal.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Nielsen Families
What we need is a concerted effort to get Nielsen families to boycott mainstream media during sweeps months, while they write to their respective news stations (anonymously) explaining their actions. If they're specific -- like, "we're not watching you anymore because you fed us Paris Hilton stories while our rights were disappearing" -- they'll listen. Use the ratings against them. It's the only thing they listen to.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
mmm, capitalism
God bless Capitalism, yeah?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Raise you children yourselves
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Big Picture
At the end of the day mom and pop are responsible no matter how you slice it. The odds being stacked against you or for you is just part of reality at any given point in time.
Yes the media does engage in a great deal of "pump up the BS" and it's for money...don't like it...subcribe to someone's podcast LOL.
When I hear stories about little girls running away to Iraq!!?? To be with someone they met online!!!??? It makes me scratch my head, trying to figure out WTF?!? How missing are parents when things like this form and play out? Travelling out of country is not free or simple for adults..so how does a love struck non-working teen do it?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I think I'm reading a different blog
At some point between the blog and comments, it turned in to a piece on "fear-mongering, paranoia, raise your own damn kids, no-you raise my kids, why the f*** is this game rated that, and how did someone get propositioned in World of Warcraft..."
Seriously?
Since the comments have become the place to mentally discharge and then forget you ever posted anything, I guess I'll play along.
First off...Consoles have a bit more 'safeguards' built in to them to avoid random, willie-nillie, communication from skankbob out in his cabin somewhere wanting to molest little boys. Are they perfect? No, but there is at the least a few additional layers that the PARENT can use to ensure the CHILD does not get online an into areas they shouldn't be getting in to.
Secondly, Game ratings are VOLUNTARY. The game-publishers are doing this as a show of good faith (and more importantly, they are rating their own games in order to keep the government from stepping in and rating the games-PMRC anyone?). In most cases, game makers will error on the side of caution. Blowing someone's head off in LEGO StarWars is no different than blowing someone's head off in Halo3 except that it's LEGOs flying around instead of blood and entrails...the actual 'violence' is the same, it's the way it's delivered that gives one an 'E' rating and the other and 'M.'
And lastly, PARENTS have a responsibility to teach their CHILDREN. Period. And if I need to teach another parent's child, I will. If that child comes in to contact with mine and does not behave in a way that's consistent with what I'm teaching my childre, you can believe that I'll take that opportunity for a little life-lesson. Growing up, my friends parents had no problems disciplining or scolding me if I was over at their house. Parents have become afraid to actually be adults (mostly because so many adults run around thinking they're kids...and more so because so many young adults are trying to raise children).
And there you have it. Another comment that's about 10% related to the actual post, and 90% wind-bagging.
I love the interwebs.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Let's get the auto industry to sell to ELECTRIC CARS that can be TURNED OFF via remote control! Oh wait, the oil companies won't like that because there's 100 Trillion dollars of business yet to occur. Aint it great that Bushie is running the country like an oil company? And didn't he BANKRUPT the last oil company he worked for? They do say history repeats itself!
Sorry for going off on a TANGENT
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
LUL
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Solution
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]