Online Gaming: Should There Be An Age Limit?
Written by Hopper, Tuesday March 17 2009
In this fascincating age of new video game developments, the online gaming world is rapidly growing into a virtual utopia. There are so many virtual places to go and people to meet. The opportunities are limitless.
Unfortunately, opportunities are not the only things that are limitless. In the online world, there are no age limits.
The online world can be a harsh place. It is run mostly by ticked off teenagers who are no fans of losing games, and aren't afraid to spout off over the microphone how exactly they feel about losing, or even winning for that matter. Oh, by the way, the online world doesn't have sensors either.
The online world is no place for small children. Believe me, I play online on my XBox 360, and even E-rated games aren't immune to the vulgar language. But, in the defense of the teens, the online world is a place to kind of relax and get away from all the little annoyances in life.
Then suddenly, the voice of a 5-year old can be heard through the headset. And, not only is that squeeky little voice the last thing teens want to hear after a stressful day of school, work, or just life in general, but these little kids are so inexperienced playing these games that the teens play, and they ruin the experience for the teens, prompting them to curse even more.
So, not only are these little kids spoiled by having their own video game console at the tender age of 5(I got my first when I was 10, and I didn't play online), but their parents are letting them play online with ticked off teens, and probably don't have a clue as to what kind of words their child is learning. Not to mention that they are ruining the experience for the kids who have worked for it.
So, with all the vulgar language flying around out there, should there be an age limit to play video games online against other people? Absolutely. But not just for that reason. When teens get on to play, they(like myself) want to be able to play a real game against people who know how to play the game. Not against some little kid who is not only really annoying, but can't play the game.
So, I propose a new online gaming age limit of 13-years of age or older. I suggest 13 because at this age, they are no longer little kids, they are teens. They are probably accustomed to the language, or at least no better than to use it. At this age, kids are knowledgable about video games, and can adapt quickly to new games. And, at this age, kids are know "technically" allowed to play T-rated games.
Should an age limit be enacted for online gaming? Yes. I think the virtual world owes it to teens everywhere.
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