
*Sigh* Here we go again, the latest overblown news story to come out of the mass media regarding video games. This time it regards a pair of kids who were playing online (its unknown what game, as all the article says is: "while playing a game on X-Box Live, a video game that allows you to play against people anywhere in the world." Now whether of not "X-Box Live" is a video game in and of itself isn't really the issue here, the fact the the article mentions receiving pictures is. Because that setting can be disabled.
While the education of parents as to the extent of their own ability to filter their children's content is a problem, some of the statements made in the news article are downright silly. Things like: "Jennifer (the mother) now fears the safety of her children" do much more harm than good. So for all readers out there who could find a moment to educate those folks who aren't quite so up speed, it would benefit us all.










Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
3-09-2008 @ 7:39PM
Zac LaCombe said...
Had this woman cared so much for the "safety" of her children and their eyes, she'd have taken the initiative to search through the manual of the Xbox or search the web on how to better protect them instead of making the console do the work. Here's a little fun fact: The Xbox has no idea how old you are, especially if you lie.
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3-09-2008 @ 7:47PM
Glitch W said...
People should really use the family settings
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3-09-2008 @ 7:52PM
Urza said...
No kidding.
And nothing they could do about it? And here I thought nudity and such using the vision camera was prohibited and got people banned awhile back.
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3-09-2008 @ 7:53PM
David W. said...
This annoys me just as much as the whole Fox News thing about Mass Effect.
"Video games are meant to be a haven mostly targeted towards children"
"And while Microsoft, the maker of X-Box, does give ways to deal with offensive players online, Jennifer says the damage to her children from this incident has already been done."
The first statement is blatantly wrong, especially with the 360. The entire article is basically trying to say it's Microsoft's fault, but if you read the second quote...it's the moms fault. The 360 is NOT a babysitter, make sure you know what your kids are doing.
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3-09-2008 @ 7:57PM
Tom said...
Pardon my language, but holy shit.
"Video games are meant to be a haven mostly targeted towards children"
No. Just no. The average gamer's age is 30.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_culture#_note-esa
"...on X-Box Live, a video game that allows you to play against people anywhere in the world"
Not a video game--it's a service.
"And while Microsoft, the maker of X-Box, does give ways to deal with offensive players online, Jennifer says the damage to her children from this incident has already been done."
Well now thats her fault for not using pre-installed safety features so this sort of thing wouldn't happen, isn't it?
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3-09-2008 @ 7:59PM
Phil said...
Why is it the people think that "Xbox" should be spelt "X-Box" or "XBox?"
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3-09-2008 @ 8:01PM
AnOffday said...
I'm sick of parents blaming their crappy parenting on everything except themselves. It's not just video games either. Did you guys hear about the parents who are trying to ban pen caps from schools, because their child chocked on a pen cap? I swear I'm not even joking. I wish I was.
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3-09-2008 @ 8:09PM
Magic Whiskey said...
I say we just cut out the rampant ignorance from parents (and their subsequent bitching afterwards) and make LIVE 18+? I mean, think about it; what children's games are multiplayer LIVE enabled? Additionally, make 18+ accounts the only ones able to matchmake.
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3-09-2008 @ 8:14PM
Derka said...
I'm going to bet this was on Uno, everyone make a note, don't join random games at 2 in the morning.
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3-09-2008 @ 8:19PM
SadisticHam said...
Woman deserves her children taken off her, if she cared that much she'd have bloody looked into it.
What next, is she going to take away their computer when she discovers they have access to porn? I bet she doesn't have any protection from that either.
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3-09-2008 @ 8:25PM
B Tizo said...
I think we can all agree, as mature, informed, gamers that the Parental Settings are there for a reason and are clearly outlined in the literature that comes prepackaged with the Xbox 360.
What I can't agree with is the notion of an 18+ Xbox Live. 1) It eliminates the high school student who can easily access swearing, violence, and the like from any movie, TV show, or joke at school. 2) Its too little too late. 3) You can't shelter kids until their 18, that's just ridiculous. What's the difference between 17 and 18? Nothing.
Xbox Live has its issues, to be sure, but Parental Controls is one thing they have right. Its upsetting that people can't figure this out.
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3-09-2008 @ 8:26PM
EC said...
That game called X-Box Live IS pretty nasty guys, you better watch out. I think it should be banned from all people who play video games.
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3-09-2008 @ 8:26PM
VINCE said...
I emailed the lady that wrote the news article, everyone should do the same, flood her inbox.
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3-09-2008 @ 8:29PM
Cameron said...
I lol'd
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3-09-2008 @ 8:29PM
stealthur said...
Wow, the grammar and syntax of that article looked like it was written by a sixth grader.
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3-09-2008 @ 8:29PM
Tegolin said...
Thay banned the kids completely?
Family settings folks.
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3-09-2008 @ 8:33PM
webster1990 said...
Magic Whiskey i am up for that, having just turned 18 myself, although not sure some of my younger friends would be so happy lol.
how about a different system for under 18's. e.g. if you are under 18, you get linked with other under 18's. over 18 and you get linked with other people over 18. that might do a little to save the "X-Box's" reputation. lol
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3-09-2008 @ 8:34PM
Ian Murray said...
It's nice to see the author took a whole 5 minutes out of his hectic schedule to research the product/service he was harping on.
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3-09-2008 @ 8:41PM
Merehorseplay said...
Wouldn't do any good to email the lady who wrote article because our opinion doesn't make a news worthy story like the parent's who's children whom saw someone naked on Xbox. Xbox should be for 18+ anyway and this kinda stuff might make it happen sooner than later. No little kids screaming in my ear during Call of Duty 4. "Yes" let them buy Nintindo's and leave Xbox and AO gaming for us. Then we won't have to worry about a democrat ruining gaming for us.
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3-09-2008 @ 8:45PM
Yuccadude said...
Wow, when I was sent a picture of a plumber's crack by a friend of mine, I decided I didn't want to see that and reported him. Then I removed him from my friend's list and blocked communications with him. That solved the problem handily as he was banned for a couple months as some of my Gears friends told me.
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