Monday, March 7, 2011

“Predators Approach Kids Through Video Games” plus 2 more

“Predators Approach Kids Through Video Games” plus 2 more

Predators Approach Kids Through Video Games

Posted: 06 Mar 2011 07:41 PM PST

If you've never heard of Runescape, then you're probably a grownup.

The online video game is aimed at children.

But parents and computer software designers have found that anyone can lie and pretend to be a kid in the fantasy game. And with the latest video games offering instant messaging and voice chats between players, predators have all the more ways to reach kids.

The consequences of that behavior can be horrifying.

In Michigan, a 54-year-old man was arrested after he met a 13-year-old girl on Runescape, where he fictionalized his gaming persona. He also then convinced her to meet him at an area motel, and sexually assaulted her, authorities say.

Sheriff Benny Napoleon, in Michigan's Wayne County, calls it "just despicable."

Lance Ulanoff of PCmag.com recommends that families get parental control software.

"You never know who your kids are talking to when they're playing these games," said Ulanoff .

Programs like Net Nanny can prevent your kids from typing in their addresses, their phone numbers, even their ages.

The protection allows law-abiding gamers to continue doing what they enjoy: joining up with other video game players on virtual adventures or "quests."

"Interacting with the community and other players is the biggest part and sometimes the main part of the game," Ulanoff said.

Others tell NBC New York that some gamers spend so much time playing games, especially the more modern console games like Xbox 360 or Playstation 3, that they develop real friendships with their fellow players. 

In addition to parental control software, computer security experts suggest parents keep their kids' computers in the living room, so they can watch what's going on.

First Published: Mar 6, 2011 10:10 PM EST

This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php
Five Filters featured article: Comment Is Free But Freedom Is Slavery - An Exchange With The Guardian's Economics Editor.

Video Game Predators Find New Ways to Reach Kids

Posted: 06 Mar 2011 06:41 PM PST

[fivefilters.org: unable to retrieve full-text content]

The latest video games, from Xbox to Runescape, offer instant messaging and even voice chats. Experts tell parents to watch what their kids are playing, and ask them who they're chatting with.

Storm's new kids on block

Posted: 06 Mar 2011 12:19 AM PST

Winger Matt Duffie made scoring tries his business last season. Source: Herald Sun

AS many as six players aged 22 or under could be in Melbourne Storm's Round 1 line-up on Saturday night, with 10 youngsters set to form the core of a new-look outfit.

Wingers Matt Duffie, 20, and Justin O'Neill, 19, made scoring tries their business last season, taking their fast-tracked opportunities to make a serious impression.

Chase Stanley has played for his country but is still only 21 and, despite an injury setback, could win the race for Greg Inglis' centre spot.

Up the middle forward Kevin Proctor, 21, the wild-haired one, played 22 games last year, often starting in the back row and coach Craig Bellamy has the former Kiwi junior high in his plans for this season.

Hulking prop Jesse Bromwich, 22, is set to build on his seven NRL games and take up a permanent position in the Storm pack.

And Englishman Gareth Widdop, who made his international debut last year at 21, will assume the all-important position of five-eighth.

That's a youth-led recovery by any measure, and it doesn't include boom Kiwi centre Elijah Niko, 20, who has been compared to Israel Folau, but isn't yet ready for the NRL.

Then there's half-back Luke Kelly, 21, forward Robbie Rochow, 20, and prop Mitchel Johnson, 20, best afield in Storm's first trial this year.

"We're going to have to, and I'm happy to, back them," Bellamy said.

The youngsters' task is to make Melbourne Storm successful again after the salary cap scandal that jolted the club last year.

"Guys like Cam (Smith) and Cooper (Cronk) and Billy (Slater) all came through at the same time together when they were young," Widdop said.

"Hopefully we can stick together and do the same."

Widdop, Duffie, O'Neill, Bromwich, Proctor, Kelly and Rochow were all part of Storm's premiership-winning under-20 team in 2009.

O'Neill said that experience bonded them and ensured they would always help one another to improve.

"We got opportunities last year and we all took them," O'Neill said.

"We showed the players and coaches what we have got and it has helped us for this year. There is confidence in us now.

"We were a bit fast-tracked but we all look at that as a positive."

And while their focus is the present, Duffie said the future was always in their thoughts. That's why he helped talk housemate O'Neill in to re-signing with Storm last year.

"We spoke about it, more banter than anything, but it did have some seriousness," Duffie said.

"I would love to play with these guys for the next few years, and hopefully we can."

This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php
Five Filters featured article: Comment Is Free But Freedom Is Slavery - An Exchange With The Guardian's Economics Editor.
Posted by at

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)