New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent Games to Kids

March 7, 2009 -

New Zealand's chief government censor has called for the prosecution of parents who give their children access to violent video games, according to stuff.co.nz.

Bill Hastings (left) hopes that such cases - apparently enabled by Kiwi law - will provide "shock value" to deter other parents from making similar choices in regard to their children's media consumption:

They might think the offence is silly, but it ain't... That's what the law says, but... you're not going to have police officers in every bedroom... There would certainly be some shock value to prosecuting a parent who gives their under-18 child access to a restricted game. It would send out a message that the enforcement agency means business.

I think the word 'game' can mislead people for sure. It's not checkers. For the first time in history, kids are more savvy with technology than parents... parents need to get up to speed on the digital divide. They need to look at what their kids are playing and doing...

 

It should be the pleasure in being able to sleep at night knowing that you have done the right thing by your kids. That should be the motivating factor.

Under the law, parents could be fined up to NZ$10,000 or imprisoned for three months.

GP: But if the parents are in jail, who will monitor the kids then?


Comments

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent ...

Isn't this one of those crazy countrys that treats drawings of fictional characters as people?

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent ...

I believe it was Canada for that. Wouldn't be surprised if Japan also had the same kinda thing going on.

IMA FIRIN MAH LASER!!!

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent ...

seems to be Canada, Australia Scotland Sweden... New Zealand.

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent ...

Who on earth could take a man with such a ridiculous watch and haircut seriously?

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent ...

I think the Censor came back from a frat party and just Looked like that(s***-faced and Drunk)

Watching JT on GP is just like watching an episode of Jerry springer only as funny as the fights

America has just became its own version of the Jerry Springer Show after a bizarre moment in Florida involving a carnival worker.

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

I know we have been advocating for parental and personal responsibility, but this is ridiculous.

E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

Agreed, to say that no one under age X will be able to handle a certain game is rediculous.

Yes you should think twice before giving GTA to someone underage but it should not be considered a criminal act.

----------------------------------------------------

Debates are like merry go rounds. Two people take their positions then they go through the same points over and over and over again. Then when it's over they have the same positions they started in.

---------------------------------------------------- Debates are like merry go rounds. Two people take their positions then they go through the same points over and over and over again. Then when it's over they have the same positions they started in.

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

Although all films and DVDs must be rated, electronic games such as those played on PlayStation or Xbox consoles do not need to go through the classification process unless they have objectionable material, he said.

doesn't the presence of parental controls on a console indicate that a game needs a rating in order to be played?

岩「…Where do masochists go when they die?」

岩「…I can see why Hasselbeck's worried about fake guns killing fake people. afterall, she's a fake journalist on a fake news channel」

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

I'm curious about what he means by being rated. Is it like China? Their own rating, the foreign ones that many countries use being irrelevant?

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

They pretty much follow the Australian OFLC in ratings but they have an R18+ rating. Still, bizarre that he seemingly refuses to note that there is a pretty big rating on the box.

 

IMA FIRIN MAH LASER!!!

IMA FIRIN MAH LASER!!!

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

So what's this whining about things not having a rating? o_o He's weird. Could someone from NZ explain?

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

I'm a kiwi. Where does he say we don't have ratings?

We at least have an R18 one, unlike the Aussies =P

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

Here, let me quote:

Although all films and DVDs must be rated, electronic games such as those played on PlayStation or Xbox consoles do not need to go through the classification process unless they have objectionable material, he said.

Mr Hastings said he intended to ask the Internal Affairs Ministry to repeal parts of the Films, Videos and Publications Classification Act, drafted in 1993, so that all video games receive classification.

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

Yeah, I'm a kiwi and I have no fucking idea what he's on about. We do have our own rating system, but generally the games we get have the Aussie ratings on them. So unless they should be R18 or they disagree with the Aussies about content, they just leave them as the Aussies rated them.

At least, that's what I think happens.

-ConstantNeophyte: always the newb, ALWAYS.

-ConstantNeophyte: always the newb, ALWAYS.

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

I guess he MIGHT be talking about how some of the games don't get an original NZ rating, but the games still are rated by Australia, his neighbours which are quite strict themselves. As such, the entire not-always-rated part is completely irrelevant I guess.

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

Wow.....just the fact that there's a "government censor" to begin with. I'd expect no less from such a regime then.

www.gameslaw.net

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

What are you talking about?

Almost every country in the world has a group that fills this role. They look at media and rate it according to local law. Porn gets R18, Kids stuff gets G, etc.

PS. I'm a kiwi.

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

Laws around video games were "an even stricter regime than alcohol", because if an adult gives a child aged under 18 access to a restricted video game even in their own home they are breaking the law, he said.

In other words, alcohol isn't as dangerous as R-18 video games.

Mr Hastings said studies had shown that repeated exposure to violence and sexual violence had an adverse effect on attitude, and it was important that parents realised some games were created for adults not children.

What studies then? And how were they received, what criticism did they face? It's called evidence, you should understand that if you want to work with laws.

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent ...

Throwing the parent in Jail, LOL, but seriously it's wrong, whoever the NZ Censor is, hes an arrogant Arsehole

NZ is living in a foolocracy, govt by fools, sillyness and unintellegent people

I think this pretty much calls for an award(see ECA forum post in suggestions section)

Watching JT on GP is just like watching an episode of Jerry springer only as funny as the fights

America has just became its own version of the Jerry Springer Show after a bizarre moment in Florida involving a carnival worker.

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent ...

I guess the orphans aren't much of a problem in NZ, and they want to see a boost to that section or something...?

Yes, it is the parent's responsibility, but they don't need to be jailed or fined for allowing their child to play a game.

He has the right idea on parents needing to be educated, but fining and jail likely won't help in that manner, it is also at the same time taking away a parent's right to parent...

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent ...

"It should be the pleasure in being able to sleep at night knowing that you have done the right thing by your kids. That should be the motivating factor."

Exactly. That should be the motivating factor, not a fine or the thread of jailtime.

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

Seriously this pisses me off so much.

 

If my parents decide I'm old enough to play God of War, or Killzone, or Call of Duty, then that's there business.  I don't know what the laws in New Zealand are, but this reeks of total bullshit.

This is the defination of Nanny State.

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

Why does the government need to be the parent of the parent and punish them??? :(

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent ...

Is this extremist basically saying that the NZ government is the one who decides how parents raise their kids?  

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent ...

Since parents don't feel that they should take responsibility anymore and would rather sue if something happens to their kid, then somebody competent needs to step in.

When Jack Thompson runs his mouth, does anyone really care what he has to say anymore?

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent ...

It's not that 'parents don't feel that they should take responsibility anymore'.  It's that there's nothing here to be 'responsible' about!  Violent videogames are NOT harmful!  Anyone who says otherwise is a liar, because no one has ever shown a link between playing videogames and increased violent behaviour.

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent ...

"Parents". That's a group of people. A BIG group of people. Kinda like "gamers". Or, for that matter, "Jews". It may be that some parents don't take responsibility for their kids - in fact, that's pretty much certain to be true. But unless you have some pretty damn concrete statistics to back up your argument, generalizing to the entire group, and/or pretending that the problem is on the rise, is insufficient to argue for government regulation.

And BTW, who gets to decide who is "competent" to decide how parents should raise their children? Jack Thompson?

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent ...

Very subtle godwin's law right there, but it fits very well.

When I become a parent, I want to be the one that decides what is appropriate for my child. If I feel that my child is mature enough to play a violent video game, or watch a violent movie, or listen to a certain type of media, I should be entitled to do so.

The government shouldn't tell me how to raise my child, especially since using age to determine maturity is a very stupid thing to do. I know many teens that can handle M rated games, and some adults that shouldn't touch anything higher than E10+.

-If an apple a day keeps the doctor away....what happens when a doctor eats an apple?-

-Optimum est pati quod emendare non possis-It is best to endure what you cannot change-

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent ...

No, this is total bullshit.

These are video games we are talking about, not drugs or alchohol. 

Think about that.

 

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent ...

Thats fighting stupidity with fascism you know.... which only leads to more stupidity and more rules/restrictions on what people can do....

 


Gore,Violence,Sexauilty,Fear,Emotion these are but modes of transportation of story and thought, to take them from society you create a society of children and nannys, since adults are not required.


http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com


Copyright infringement is nothing more than civil disobedience to a bad set of laws. Let's renegotiate them.

---

http://zippydsm.deviantart.com/

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

The problem is parents who let their kids see media above their age range is not a problem...

Its like J walking or begin arrested for drinking on your porch for breaking "public" intoxication laws, these are vague made up laws to generate revenue for the city/government it dose nothing to deal with the real problem because there is no "problem" here other than political arrogance.

 


Gore,Violence,Sexauilty,Fear,Emotion these are but modes of transportation of story and thought, to take them from society you create a society of children and nannys, since adults are not required.


http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com


Copyright infringement is nothing more than civil disobedience to a bad set of laws. Let's renegotiate them.

---

http://zippydsm.deviantart.com/

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

wow.  Fucking signed. 

I fully agree with this.

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

For one thing im glad parents are getting the blame this time arouhnd, but giving them jail time beause they gave there children a game? Thats going alittle to far.

 

http://www.magicinkgaming.com/

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

And parents allowing their children to watch violent movies, tv series and anime, read violent comics and manga, listen to violent music, get off the hook why? And what determines violent anyway? Is Mortal Kombat violent? Pokemon? Smash Bros Brawl?

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

I'm in two minds on this one

On one hand it tackles the main problem: Parents that give their children whatever they want with complete disregard to whether it's suitable for them or not.

On the other hand, it removes the choice of responsible parents to give games they know the child can cope with.

Overall it may be a good thing, but it's by no means perfect

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

How can it be 'a good thing' overall to institute a law to prevent parents from giving their kids access to something that NO ONE HAS EVER SHOWN TO BE HARMFUL?  What next - are they going to fine parents who give their kids broccoli?  I mean, broccoli is entirely harmless too.

That, and the issue that taking responsibility away from parents is no way to improve parental responsibility.

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

I'm afraid that the move to have parents actually raise their children will be made culturally, not legally.  This is a scare tactic that will probably not work.

www.20sidedwoman.blogspot.com

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent ...

 

"GP: But if the parents are in jail, who will monitor the kids then?"

Indeed. Won't someone please think of the children?

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

Finally somebody gets the right idea.

When Jack Thompson runs his mouth, does anyone really care what he has to say anymore?

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

......?

I'm a little worried about if you're being sarcastic or not, lol

-If an apple a day keeps the doctor away....what happens when a doctor eats an apple?-

-Optimum est pati quod emendare non possis-It is best to endure what you cannot change-

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

Yeah, that made me kind of nervous. This guy's talking about being a good parent, the says the government needs to be the parent for them. And how far would this law go? Letting -18 kids play +18 games? What about other ratings? My daughter's been playing EC and E rated games for ages 3 and up. She's 2. Does that make me a bad parent? What if I feel she's ready for an M-rated game before she hits 18? That's my choice. I know my daughter best.

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

I think he took it a step too much...

If their upbringing is dependent on how they are raised, then it should be a parent's fault on how that child acts;

let's not go our heads up our asses and try to find the preventative cause, of which this guy tells me, that all of our youth, (I agree many, thought) become disposed to violent behavior because of video games.

Let's jail the parent of neglect if their child starts shooting up a school. (If certain standards are met)

*Bang*

*Collapses on floor*

______________________________ Because I have NO Life... :P I introduce the following. PSN User ID: FirebirdXR (Yes, I use that moniker often) Xbox Live ID: FirebirdLR (Don't bother, It's a Silver Membership) *Limited Time Only* I put both because I

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

I'm not certain giving children a legal way to blackmail their parents is the best course of action.  Assume the following:

Child wants to do something the parent doesn't think they should do.  Child learns that there are laws that punish the parents for the deeds of the children.  Child tells parents that if they don't let him do what he wants, he's gonna rob a store.

What now?  Even assuming that the parents tell the authorities that the child has said this to them, you could still be able to charge the parents.  Why?  Because they still failed to raise their child correctly.

Not only that, but teenagers naturally rebel against their parents.  It's something they do.  Are we really going to start punishing parents simply for having children that rebel on a criminal scale?

These types of laws are unmanagable and would only end up making responsible people(you know, the ones that actually pay attention to the laws) think twice about having children.

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

Wow, certainly nothing funny about a kid doing that.............. MWAHAHAHAHAAAAaaa!!!!

(*Ahem*.... Sorry, I have a bad taste in humor)

You've made a valid point, though. There will always be ways around laws and people taking advantage of em'.

I never thought of that situation you mentioned, but perhaps there is a way to write a law that that is neither too vaugue (to take advantage of) or too specific (will probably never come in a court case, and is a waste of tax dollars)

But, I don't think we'll come up with a resolution that will please everyone. I was just putting in my 2 cents, and have been too broad (lazy, actually) to think it through...

______________________________ Because I have NO Life... :P I introduce the following. PSN User ID: FirebirdXR (Yes, I use that moniker often) Xbox Live ID: FirebirdLR (Don't bother, It's a Silver Membership) *Limited Time Only* I put both because I

Re: New Zealand Censor: Prosecute Parents Who Give Violent

 But by then, it's too late.

I think it's easy to agree; laws aren't the answer. Yes, educating parents on proper games for their kids is a great idea, but enforcing a law on what the government believes is good parenting takes it all away. Now it doesn't matter how good the parent is; if they don't conform to government standards, book'em Draino.

It's all about parents getting involved. Most parents now are grown-up gamers, so informed parents are getting more frequent. And those that don't, need a PROPER program on the GOOD and bad side effects of cybernatography (none of this "games kill" crap).

 
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