PREDATORS

So yesterday I came across a great article: CLICK HERE 

For some reason, the media really likes to bash on video games.  I've already discussed violence and video games and hopefully successfully demonstrated that there is little correlation between the two.  But in addition, the media loves to criticize XBox Live or PlayStation Home for encouraging children to use profane language and accusing these online forums of providing a medium for predators to find helpless victims.




There are a few points I would like to make.  First, like the article above suggests, it's mostly these innocent children who are the ones using the most profane language while playing online.  When I play online and am bombarded with trash talk or sexual innuendos, it's usually someone in high school OR YOUNGER doing the talking.  Most of the people I play with are around my age, and they never trash talk in game (unless you REALLY suck, and then they have permission to make a few snide comments).


It amuses me to no end that parents think their children are so innocent and perfect, being corrupted by the OTHER people who play online, when in reality it is THEIR CHILD who is the one doing all the corrupting.  I've heard shocking things come from the mouths of young children, and I have even played TF2 with a twelve-year-old.  TF2 is RATED MATURE.  MATURE = 17+.  WHERE ARE THE PARENTS?!


Which brings me to my second point.  There was a recent hilarious news piece which calls the XBox the SEXBox.  Why?  Because clearly when you're on XBox Live, that's where all the scary online predators lurk.  They might message your child, who will be FORCED to talk to them!  Then they can lure your innocent child outside to meet them at the park, where they will be kidnapped or worse. Of course, you'd have NO CHOICE but to leave your home in the middle of the night, without telling ANYONE where you're going, so you can meet "Fred" in the park.


Ok, ok, BACK UP.  Wait a second.  A weirdo predator might message you?  Hey, here's a clue: DON'T RESPOND.  He keeps messaging and chatting with you?  Oh, hold on... I think there is an option to block people.  Or how about mute them?!  Wait, really?  Microsoft decided that it would be nice to have the option not to talk to EVERYONE you play with?  Wow, great idea.  


Oh shoot, but he friended me.  I HAVE TO FRIEND HIM BACK, RIGHT? I HAVE NO CHOICE!  Uhh.. no.  What's the worst he will do if I block him completely or reject his request?  No idea.  Maybe he'll be able to come find me.  But only if I was stupid enough to include my full name, birthday, address, phone number, and social security number in my XBox Live profile.  


And last but not least.. something doesn't seem right here.  13-year-olds playing Halo... a 12-year-old playing TF2...  

The funniest part is that in the news segment, the mom is RIGHT there talking about her son playing HALO, which is RATED M FOR MATURE.  Her son is 13.  I've said this before and I'll say it again: the ESRB makes RATINGS for video games for a REASON.  What could that reason be?  Hmm.. MAYBE BECAUSE THE CONTENT IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.  

If I'm an adult, and I'm going to play some Halo on Live, then I'm sort of expecting everyone else to also be of the requisite age to play Halo.  As discussed in the first article I cited, it's an adult arena.  And if you are a parent, I have no idea how your kid could get a rated M game (you're required to show ID if you purchase it in-store) and play the game AT HOME, on that big fat plasma TV you have hanging in your family room, without you noticing.  Uhh parents, please.  PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR CHILDREN.


Anyway, that's it for my rant.  I'm just sick of people targeting video games and the online, interactive gaming space for allowing children to use profane language and predators to lurk.  There are a number of methods you can use to combat these problems, and I think that the majority of bad things that happen online are done out of sheer stupidity.


As I've said before, I think video games are good for you.  Take a look at this excellent Onion piece about how video games are so awesome because they will help you prepare for the apocalypse!  ARE YOU READY?!