Child predators stalk online gamers
By Sarah Lucero / KENS5
Game systems such as the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Nintendo Wii offer children a whole new world of gaming excitement. Unfortunately, they also offer child predators a new avenue to reach them.
Most videos have sound associated with the game, but the systems also sell additional audio accessories or earpieces on which there is an entirely separate conversation happening.
Brothers Chauncey and AJ Rodriguez like to use the Playstation 3 game system and earpiece. The earpiece allows them to hold conversations with other gamers who are also playing the same game. The brothers say it’s incredible to be involved in conversations with people from all over the world.
“People play online all the time, and there’s more competition,” said AJ, when asked why he prefers playing his favorite games online.
The teens say setting up the communication device is easy.
“Once you find a wireless connection, you go into the game system and go online,” said 16-year-old gamer Mike Spegar.
Spegar prefers to play the Nintendo Wii online because it’s free. He pointed out that Xbox charges a monthly fee of a few dollars. He also says Xbox is more popular with hardcore gamers.
“There are games that appeal to all age levels. There are activities that appeal to all age levels. It’s really just about identifying the right way to use the console for each individual person,” said Melissa Wilson, the gaming safety advocate for Microsoft Systems which created the Xbox systems.
Wilson adds that online games are so popular that 17 million people subscribe to Xbox alone all over the world.
But family advocates warn parents that where children go, child predators are sure to follow.
“If people start to get attached to each other, friendshipwise, they’ll ask for a phone number which is not the safest thing to do,” said Spegar.
The 16-year-old says he has experienced firsthand what it’s like for a stranger to try to get information from him while playing a game online.
He says a friend of his commonly befriends other online gamers.
“He’s just met these people online. I’ll ask if he’s met them before, and he’ll tell me that he hasn’t. He’ll usually ask for their screen name on AOL or Myspace. You do have to be careful with those people because you don’t know if they are who they say they are,” said Spegar.
A quick look at Xbox’s online chat conversations on YouTube reveals that many exchanges are laced with profanity and racist remarks. But while the conversations can be crude, more alarming are the FBI’s warnings that pedophiles are increasingly using online game systems to communicate and lure children.
“It’s extremely important for parents to be involved. They are the first line of defense,” said Wilson. “All the major game systems have a parental control section where parents can dictate what games can be played online according to their rating.”
Some games for the Nintendo Wii system, the gamers must have their friends personal codes in order to play with them.
Personal codes are like personal identification numbers. In those games, players can only message the opponents whose personal codes they know.
On the Xbox system’s parental control section, parents have similar options.
“It also helps parents determine if can they game with strangers online, or only people parents approve of, or should they not be able to do that online at all,” said Wilson.
The Xbox 360 also has a family timer which lets parents dictate how long and when a child can play. But AJ and Chauncey’s mother has her own solution.
“For the last month, the PS2, the Xbox 360, and PS3 have been in the trunk of my car, [because my kids] are grounded! And when I’m not home, I want to make sure they are not playing,” said working mom, Adela Garcia.
The game consoles also give gamers access to internet chat rooms, websites, movies and other online options, so the more parents know, the more they can be in control.
“All too often, they don’t use the tools that are right at their fingertips,” said Wilson.
For tips on getting savvy about online gaming, check out the website, www.theparentsedge.com.
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