Online Retailers Violating Games Age Restrictions
Kids buying violent games with postal orders
An investigation by the Trading Standards Institute (TSI), of retailers using auction websites found that 90% of traders tested sold inappropriately rated games to minors.
The TSI said that of 44 purchases attempted, 38 went through. The investigation was carried out by Wales Heads of Trading Standards (WHOTS) using volunteers aged 12-16 who paid for their games with postal orders. Games purchased included Manhunt 2, Grand Theft Auto IV, The Godfather and Hitman.
Lee Jones, acting head of Bridgend County Borough Council Trading Standards, said, "Traders who use auction sites and accept postal orders as payment have no method of determining whether the person they are selling to is aged 18 or over."
Brandon Cook, the institute's lead officer for age restricted sales, said there are companies that will run age tests on consumers that are "very quick and relatively cheap". He went on to add, "Traders selling goods over the internet have a responsibility to make sure they have methods in place to avoid breaking the law by making underage sales. If traders cannot be sure the person they are selling to is over 18 then they should not be selling.”
SPOnG would like to know what these cheap, quick methods for testing consumers' ages actually are, because we have yet to come across any effective age-checking procedure in our e-purchasing history.
While the sample used isn't exactly massive, the findings are still worrying. They certainly don't do the games industry any favours in light of the scrutiny games classification has received of late.
It should, of course, be remembered that the investigation dealt with traders using auction websites rather than e-tailers such as Amazon and Play.
Traders violating BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) age ratings can be fined or face up to six months in gaol.
The TSI said that of 44 purchases attempted, 38 went through. The investigation was carried out by Wales Heads of Trading Standards (WHOTS) using volunteers aged 12-16 who paid for their games with postal orders. Games purchased included Manhunt 2, Grand Theft Auto IV, The Godfather and Hitman.
Lee Jones, acting head of Bridgend County Borough Council Trading Standards, said, "Traders who use auction sites and accept postal orders as payment have no method of determining whether the person they are selling to is aged 18 or over."
Brandon Cook, the institute's lead officer for age restricted sales, said there are companies that will run age tests on consumers that are "very quick and relatively cheap". He went on to add, "Traders selling goods over the internet have a responsibility to make sure they have methods in place to avoid breaking the law by making underage sales. If traders cannot be sure the person they are selling to is over 18 then they should not be selling.”
SPOnG would like to know what these cheap, quick methods for testing consumers' ages actually are, because we have yet to come across any effective age-checking procedure in our e-purchasing history.
While the sample used isn't exactly massive, the findings are still worrying. They certainly don't do the games industry any favours in light of the scrutiny games classification has received of late.
It should, of course, be remembered that the investigation dealt with traders using auction websites rather than e-tailers such as Amazon and Play.
Traders violating BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) age ratings can be fined or face up to six months in gaol.
Comments
ian 24 Jun 2008 11:24
1/5
Ebay require all users to by 18 or over, so anyone selling there can assume the buyer is 18 - if not then they have lied about their age, and are already breaching ebays terms and conditions.
If the auction cite certifies that the purchaser is 18, then that seems pretty reasonable that the seller should take that at face value.
If the auction cite certifies that the purchaser is 18, then that seems pretty reasonable that the seller should take that at face value.
Joji 24 Jun 2008 12:36
2/5
This is the big net loophole. While ebay may act, many gamers shop outside the U.K. This is why its always a grey area and always will be. Ebay will have some standard like this, but not every U.K/E.U website will. It is also possible that if you tried to have every website do this, said site could just move to a server outside the U.K.
Auction websites are one thing, and normal websites are quite another.
As for postal orders, they are still legal tender, so the seller has no reason to not receive them, unless previously stung and stated. Paypal is another problem, because if kids didn't use P.Os, you can have a U.K bank account from age 14, open a Paypal account, link them, and bobs your uncle.
There's always a way online, but the real world is slow catching up as usual. Like I said ages ago, if you want certain games, kids a damn clever, resourceful and will find a way (despite any ratings.
Auction websites are one thing, and normal websites are quite another.
As for postal orders, they are still legal tender, so the seller has no reason to not receive them, unless previously stung and stated. Paypal is another problem, because if kids didn't use P.Os, you can have a U.K bank account from age 14, open a Paypal account, link them, and bobs your uncle.
There's always a way online, but the real world is slow catching up as usual. Like I said ages ago, if you want certain games, kids a damn clever, resourceful and will find a way (despite any ratings.
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Joji 24 Jun 2008 13:00
3/5
Adding to my last comment, on Ebay, there's nothing stopping a seller, if they are an individual and an adult, from selling a pre owned game of any rating to a minor. The seller just wants a sale and the buyer the game, and the anonymous nature of each plays its part.
And like morning after pills for girls, if you don't provide it in the real world (because of too much politics and bs stalling things), people that need it will go elsewhere (online), its that simple.
And like morning after pills for girls, if you don't provide it in the real world (because of too much politics and bs stalling things), people that need it will go elsewhere (online), its that simple.
deleted 24 Jun 2008 17:42
4/5
isnt this down to the fact you need a credit card to purcahse online?
or would it be those, Electron and Solo cards 16 year old thugs all have!, not to mention the famous splash plastic that most asbos have started to carry, what i think it fails to show is what age these underage are!,
should they be 10 or 11 then fairs do`s its not on, but can we really tell a 16 year old he cant watch and play a violent video game, although the law does permit him/herself to engage in sexual acts although strictly of the hetrosexual variety ( anythign else = 18+), and obtain cancer through means of weeded sticks it also begs the problem that any 16 year old that has left home to there own flat/bedsit/house/tip (as i did) and not legally be sold a new knife for their new kitchen. and not to forget that you cannot drive through hoards of people in a blista compact until you are 18+ yet in reality you can purchase your own 206 and throw that into a real life child age 18- at 17+
the worlds gone mad!!!
or would it be those, Electron and Solo cards 16 year old thugs all have!, not to mention the famous splash plastic that most asbos have started to carry, what i think it fails to show is what age these underage are!,
should they be 10 or 11 then fairs do`s its not on, but can we really tell a 16 year old he cant watch and play a violent video game, although the law does permit him/herself to engage in sexual acts although strictly of the hetrosexual variety ( anythign else = 18+), and obtain cancer through means of weeded sticks it also begs the problem that any 16 year old that has left home to there own flat/bedsit/house/tip (as i did) and not legally be sold a new knife for their new kitchen. and not to forget that you cannot drive through hoards of people in a blista compact until you are 18+ yet in reality you can purchase your own 206 and throw that into a real life child age 18- at 17+
the worlds gone mad!!!
Joji 25 Jun 2008 12:45
5/5
The world is indeed drowning in a mess of unneeded legislation. Also notice nothing is ever said about film in the same light. While some might use that lame Byron report non interactive excuse, the real truth is that the government don't want to take on the giant movie industry as a result. The games industry is young and easy to blame because many don't play or understand them.
This is in a very similar way to how games get it from all side in the U.S, being blamed for shootings etc, but those same objectors fail to go after better gun laws, even if it means their youth dying in the process. A sad state of affairs.
This is in a very similar way to how games get it from all side in the U.S, being blamed for shootings etc, but those same objectors fail to go after better gun laws, even if it means their youth dying in the process. A sad state of affairs.