Forums → Support Forum → Inconsistent censorship b/w games and forums
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I've noticed that AG is a bit multi-faceted, in that it purports to be relatively kid-friendly (or at least 13 and up), such that certain expletives and offensive terms are censored on the forums, and certain content is filtered (no posting pornography etc.) However the range of topics discussed on the forums is often quite adult in nature, but I'm quite glad for that, and there's nothing wrong with this as far as I can tell.
When playing some of the games, however, I realise that while certain types of games (of the hentai variety, pornographic games, obviously) are excluded. However, this doesn't exclude other games which have any or even all of the following:
1) Violence
2) Blood and gore (Dark Cut series, nudge nudge, John :P)
3) Drug and alcohol references
4) Offensive language/expletives
Now, I'm certainly not advocating censorship. But I'm wondering if it would be prudent to implement some kind of "mature content advisory" for the games. I'm quite aware that given there are +800 games already on AG this would be somewhat of a mammoth task, but if a form were implemented in the submission system (as in Newgrounds), at least future games would display the appropriate warnings, and then ratings to archived games can be applied retrospectively.
- 25 Replies
I couldn't agree with you more. At the very least an advisory would save some butts. I'm not sure if there are any legal issues behind all of this. Could a mother sue AG for her 13 year old son playing Hustle (for example)?
I was actualy debating whether to include the "legal angle" then actually decided against it, given the proliferation of sites out there that still have the "lease do not proceed if you're under 18" and then letting you do whatever the heck you wanted anyway.
But this way, it would save a lot of trouble down the road, methinks.
(hay asherlee, im in ur profil, spamming ur commentz >)
Good point. While I try to put warnings into all my games that feature mature content (which is close to nil) most people will not go out of their way to do that. It's an issue most definitely, and I think it would be a cool feature for a parent to say "hey, you can play any game with a PG rating or lower" to their children.
Thanks Strop, that's a lovely idea.
@Asherleeeeeee that's a slippery slope when it comes to whose responsibility it is to maintain what a child sees or does on the internet. Of course the parent should have control, but the site that hosts content has some control as well since they are providing content. The COPPA act has forced children under the age of 13 years old to have a permission slip granted by the parent to use "interactive features" on a site (such as these forums), but beyond that legislation is still pretty hazy.
Yea I see what you mean some games have alot of violence like 7 deadly sins.
It's a problem I never thought of before, since I assumed all users are "mature" and know what they're doing when they come here. I don't know about the States, but the legislation here in France (so it doesn't concer you guys) tends to protect websites, rather than the individuals who are considered responsible for where they browse on the web.
Strop's idea is great, but I think it's a little bit complicated to put in action.
About legislation
Why don't you simply add a clause in your terms and conditions, telling the users that there is some "adult content" on the site(not sexual, but excessive violence) and it is to their own risks and under their own responsability that they visit the website (I don't really know how you would formulate this in good English). As they have to agree to these terms, then you would have the law on your side in case of trial....
Although I know it is not supposed to be, I know there are many users here that are younger than 13, who go to no lengths to hide it, and mods do not seem to care. I had noticed that a lot of the games, however, use *very* foul language (the "f" word strength) without warning. I do not care particularly, but I'm sure some parent somewhere would.
I think it should say somewhere when you sign up that there is some 'mature' content involved... though I wouldnt be opposed to being stronger on the 13+ rule either.
@ Pens87- you'd be surprised at how many of the games should, by rights, require a warning.
@ Calm- well...that would be standard and probably cover it but...where would you put such a warning? If it were a general warning, that would kinda be a bit of a turn-off for a lot of the prospective userbase. Maybe, though, it would be useful to separate the games that had "mature content" into another category: though this too is a big task, it's not nearly as big as the task of classifying *every* game and having them display this on a separate form.
Oh okay, however I truthfully feel that the games on here aren't all that bad.
There is a few very violent games on here but I am not sure what the worst is.
@ DM, the younger users are in issue and it isn't that we don't care. Soon they will no longer exist, if you feel me. We've just been stacked up on other matters lately.
*taps her fingers together evilly* No longer exist, eh?
Oh, I'm sure you're planning something far less diabolical. And I would agree, there are far more important matters at hand presently.
Well, Pens87, you're right, relative to certain other sites (again, Newgrounds being a benchmark), but in absolute terms, that there are any games at all on here that drop f-bombs has the potential for really bad press from over-reactive/protective parents.
Credibility requires being really anally retentive, unfortunately.
@ Strop
my suggestion only concerned legal purposes, to avoid Dan being brought into court by angry parents... It would only consist in adding a clause to the etrms and agreements which you have to approve to be able to register... thus the law would be on your side.
i have nothing against your idea, except thet I'm not prepared well enough for the huge task it would involve, with 850 + games...
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