It was apparently reported in the Daily Fail so I'd personally take it with a very large pinch of salt
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Thoughts?
The reason I posted this in gaming rather than general is because VR is classed as a gaming device
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Moderators: LikkleMel, Ali-Renegade, LilMissLarBear
LilMissLarBear wrote: ↑02 Jan 2024, 18:35See here's the thing... I *could* give an explanation and my reactions to the article but then the discussions around this can easily spiral into non gaming related topics especially with what I'm about to say next.
So my reaction to this is that it's pushing a certain rhetoric to justify why the government in the UK should "curb" social media for people aged 16 and under. That's as political as I will go because journalism is quite often tied to political agenda. Whether gaming counts as a form of social media is up your own judgement.
The article also seems quite trivial to me considering how long VR has been around now. I even had to double check when the article was written because I was all like "this has just been reported now??" I also feels like it's a bit of a smoke screen for the general public to say that game devs care about the safety of players when it comes to misconduct in online games. I personally think it's a load of crap (from personal experience that is) because whenever you go to report someone for abuse, trolling whatever I'm convinced nothing happens... Considering how much much toxic people get let off things like this do not surprise me. If anything doesn't seem news worthy to me
LilMissLarBear wrote: ↑02 Jan 2024, 20:36I mean dont get me wrong at face value the article title sounds sad like no one never let alone a teenager should have to experience that in games but with the state of gaming and how gamers can behave what do we expect? It sounds like more should be done to rid these kinds of people that just abuse games to make up messed up fantasies its disgusting
I assume you mean anyone under 16 shouldn't be allowed online, yes?I personally think anyone under the age of 16 should be allowed online unless you are responsible and know your safety. I know quite a few who just don't know how to keep themself safe anyone. I saw a minor give away their location, real name and phone number in a massive cosplay group on facebook cause they were looking for "friends" and then wonder why they get weirdos harassing them.
Ferefire wrote: ↑03 Jan 2024, 01:19
I assume you mean anyone under 16 shouldn't be allowed online, yes?
Here's a thought - maybe schools from the age of 11 (ie: secondary school) should properly teach online safety as part of a subject? (Similar to how sex ed is a thing). I don't know if this is not already done, but it sounds like something that should be. Raising awareness would make a huge difference.
I don't believe it's mandatory. Make it mandatory so all schools have to do it. That accompanied with mandatory monitoring software, as I mention above, and ID checks, would kill a lot of this very swiftly.LikkleMel wrote: ↑03 Jan 2024, 01:28Ferefire wrote: ↑03 Jan 2024, 01:19
I assume you mean anyone under 16 shouldn't be allowed online, yes?
Here's a thought - maybe schools from the age of 11 (ie: secondary school) should properly teach online safety as part of a subject? (Similar to how sex ed is a thing). I don't know if this is not already done, but it sounds like something that should be. Raising awareness would make a huge difference.
Yes, I'll edit that oops
and yes they did when I was in school cause I always remember a BBC Short Film about internet safety with David Tennant as the narrator. I don't think they do much now...
LikkleMel wrote: ↑03 Jan 2024, 00:32From how it is saying it is alluding to the game VRChat as that is the only (I know there are possibly more), but this seems to be the only game that would be accessible to someone under 16 as it is free and the most well-known VR Chatroom.
From what I know of VRChat (I've only used it once and got bored...if anything too many kids on it) the age restrictions are similar to facebook or discord. You have to be over 13 to use it, however, you need parents' permission.
1) How are companies meant to figure out who has permission and who doesn't? The quick answer is they don't and never will. Similar to us on the forums we say if you're underage you can join, but we hope you are smart enough to know your own safety online and your parents are aware.
I personally think anyone under the age of 16 shouldn't be allowed online unless you are responsible and know your safety. I know quite a few who just don't know how to keep themself safe anyone. I saw a minor give away their location, real name and phone number in a massive cosplay group on facebook cause they were looking for "friends" and then wonder why they get weirdos harassing them.
Another thing I ask is and I know it may be "victim blaming", but not really where were the parents? Unless she had headphones in the VR Headset does have speakers. Why was she talking to grown men in the first place (again, not saying she shouldn't because lets be honest we have all done it on the internet), surely a parent should've been there to be like "oi why you talking to be child?" or at least told her child "Don't talk to stranger" - isn't that the first thing we are all taught?
Sorry for the rantBut definitely an interesting topic. Shame she had to go through that, but maybe she needs a break from Virtual Reality and go back to the real world with real friends for a bit.
EDIT: Apologizes I read further down to find out the game is Meta Horizon Worlds. Again, the age is 13 and above as you NEED a facebook account. Also though.....that game is dead. I've been on it, so unless they updated that in the past year there is nothing to do on there apart from watch a concert. Still a shame you have dicks being dicks and inappropriate
LilMissLarBear wrote: ↑04 Jan 2024, 17:41
True and I do agree there has to be some narrative it's trying to push here but still it's bad considering she is a minor and I'm assuming these guys are not that's probably where it crosses the line. This is probably where the "kids under 16 shouldnt do social media" argument probably comes in because if we get rid of the young 'uns online then there won't be such issues right? (the government may say) even though the problem is still kind of there just letting people off with behavior that should be and probably is against terms of service no matter where you go online
Ferefire wrote: ↑03 Jan 2024, 01:30I don't believe it's mandatory. Make it mandatory so all schools have to do it. That accompanied with mandatory monitoring software, as I mention above, and ID checks, would kill a lot of this very swiftly.LikkleMel wrote: ↑03 Jan 2024, 01:28Ferefire wrote: ↑03 Jan 2024, 01:19
I assume you mean anyone under 16 shouldn't be allowed online, yes?
Here's a thought - maybe schools from the age of 11 (ie: secondary school) should properly teach online safety as part of a subject? (Similar to how sex ed is a thing). I don't know if this is not already done, but it sounds like something that should be. Raising awareness would make a huge difference.
Yes, I'll edit that oops
and yes they did when I was in school cause I always remember a BBC Short Film about internet safety with David Tennant as the narrator. I don't think they do much now...
It's moreso from a psychological perspective. People legally have to wear seatbelts - police rarely enforce if you do not, but 95% of people do. Ditto for mask wearing during covid. Even the fear of breaking the law is a powerful deterant.Rich-Allen1976 wrote: ↑04 Jan 2024, 18:38
I agree, but it'll probably never happen cos it'd be a pain in the bum to Police.
Parents can't watch what little Timmy's doing online 24/7.