Teachers Warn Parents They Will Contact Police If Their Children Play 18+ Rated Games - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 30 March 2015 / 5,742 ViewsHeadteachers at the Nantwich Education Partnership in Cheshire, England, have warned parents they will be contacting the police and social services if their children are caught playing video games that are rated 18+, according to The Guardian. Some of the games mentioned were Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty and Gears of War.
"If your child is allowed to have inappropriate access to any game or associated product that is designated 18+, we are advised to contact the police and children’s social care as this is deemed neglectful," said the group.
"We are trying to help parents to keep their children as safe as possible in this digital era," they added. "It is so easy for children to end up in the wrong place and parents find it helpful to have very clear guidelines."
A parents' group, Parents Outloud, have stated that the teachers have gone too far, with saying they will contact the police if their children are caught playing 18+ games.
"Accepting the huge concerns about these violent games and their effect on children, I think the schools are stepping outside the realm of what is probably acceptable," said Margaret Morrissey, from the pressure group Parents Outloud. "It will be construed by many parents as a threat and it is not helpful. If schools want to get the support of parents and gain their confidence, threatening them with social services will not help."
"I absolutely get why they [the headteachers] are doing it – it’s because children do need to be protected from technology," added the London director of the Parent Practice Elaine Halligan. "But to get the social services involved is an absolute disaster, because it starts telling parents that we don’t trust you to be responsible for your children."
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A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. Outside, in the real world, he has a passion for the outdoors which includes everything from hiking to having received his B.A. in Environmental Studies. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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Damn liberals, no idea what freedom actually is.
It is 100% legal for children to play 18+ rated games in the UK. The teachers have deluded themselves into believing that these games constitute neglect and won't hold up.
Also it reeks of being like 1984.
So... are they gonna have to arrest all those kids playing Call of Duty? Seriously, this is the dumbest thing I have ever had the dishonor of reading.
Its just the nanny state that Britain and the EU are already way to familiar with.
Yeah you do that teach. And when the cop tells you to **** off cause they got better things to do, we'll get another non-news story about how cops are "insensitive" to nonexistent social issues.
I was under the impression that it's illegal for somebody under 18 to purchase an 18+ rated game, but they are still legally allowed to play it granted their parents don't object.
Is that correct?
That is correct. Only New Zealand bans children from playing these games even with parental consent.
Maybe I should tell that teacher to f*** off to while at it! They get paid 70 grand a year to go to work and teach, not be a parent! When I have children, they can play whatever (well I mean they should be at least 8 or 9, but still). As long as its not very disgusting (GTA and COD are fine) then ok. Its been proven that video games don't make you go crazy and jack cars and do school shootings. Its just idiots like these who think they're doing something good.
Show me a job opening for a secondary/high school teacher offering 70k a year. The teachers are responsible for the kids while in the school. If they alloow violent video games on their clock, then they have to listen to bitchy parents whine about it.
Well that's the salary in Canada. IDK about the US or UK, but it can't be much lower. Also I didn't say that was a starting salary, then we're talking 40-50k. But really people stay in this business all their life (actually in Canada after 10 years its even higher than 70k). and these people get 2 months off summer! Anyway these teacher's act like they can parent the kids in their class outside of the class! And as for bitchy parents and on the teacher's clock remark, this is only a problem if the teacher allows game in the classroom, which isn't true. Your statement doesn't make any sense! And, its the parent fault if their kids can't handle video games and the parents don't manage the situation! Also don't believe me on the salary, look here: http://globalnews.ca/news/1346218/wage-comparison-how-b-c-teachers-salaries-rank-across-canada/
No no better idea, tell the kids no TV. computer, or anything! Watch how they cry to their parents and see how things go! And don't believe me on the 70k thing, go here: http://globalnews.ca/news/1346218/wage-comparison-how-b-c-teachers-salaries-rank-across-canada/
No I was wrong, after 10 years teacher's in Alberta make 100k. They get paid engineer salaries, yet which one requires more hard labour?
The good thing is kids will stop acting so dumb, the bad thing is that would hurt gaming markets a ton considering half their consumers are children.
I'm unfamiliar with law in England but in many states in America it is unlawful for minors to view adults nude commiting lude acts, so maybe they are operating under a similar pretense that it may be unlawful for minors to play adult rated games even with parental consent. If a teacher in some states of the U.S. have knowledge that a minor is allowed to view adult images they must report it or face loss of licensure and possible prison time. I know some gamers love their almighty games so "Don't shoot the messenger." And relax its just games.
Why the fucking teacher, just do your god damn job and stay out of the kids life
I think the teacher is being irrelevant as fu**. However, the teacher is correct. Children under 18 shouldn't be playing them. It doesn't have a "violent impact" on children. But I think once they hit about 15 it should be okay for them to play those types of games.