18 rated games and kids

[gb155]

Is it a criminal or civil offence to buy an 18 rated game for someone who isn't yet even a teenager?

Cheers guys

 

[dan_bo]

Look Gaz, if you don't wanna buy it for him just tell him NO!

 

[cisamcgu]

I think neither. It is an offense to sell someone an 18 rated game if they are under age, but I don't think it is an offence for someone (Parents/friends/etc.) to buy it for the young person.

However, I don't really know - just guessing

 

[green1]

If its Call of Duty and they want to go online with a headset then yes it is. Anyone who buys a kid the game in that situation should be hung by the genitals.

Harsh? Not if you have to listen to them.

 

[green1]

I think neither. It is an offense to sell someone an 18 rated game if they are under age, but I don't think it is an offence for someone (Parents/friends/etc.) to buy it for the young person.

However, I don't really know - just guessing

Pretty sure it is, just like buying them fags or alcohol.

 

[gb155]

It's not be Dan lol

My kids are far too young to even play 16 rated games

 

[green1]

It's not be Dan lol

My kids are far too young to even play 16 rated games

Don't confuse the PEGI ratings (on back of box, they are recommendations) with classification ratings (ala movies which I believe are legally enforceable).

 

[green1]

Don't confuse the PEGI ratings (on back of box, they are recommendations) with classification ratings (ala movies which I believe are legally enforceable).

Scrap that, as of last July BBFC have stopped classifying games it now just PEGI and it is legally enforceable

 

[fossala]

PEGI won the right to rate ALL games. You won't have BBFC soon on games. But PEGI is now legal age rating.

 

[fossala]

Dammit green1, beat me by a second.

 

[gb155]

Scrap that, as of last July BBFC have stopped classifying games it now just PEGI and it is legally enforceable

But who does the enforcement go against

The buyer, as in the parent?

 

[fossala]

No one. You can buy games for you kids. Same as you can buy movies and alchol (to consume at home under the supervision of yourself).

 

[gb155]

No one. You can buy games for you kids. Same as you can buy movies and alchol (to consume at home under the supervision of yourself).

I always assumed BBFC made it illegal to buy 18 movies for under 18,s?

 

[fossala]

The 18 certificate is issued by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) to state that, in its opinion, a film, video recording, or game should not be seen or purchased by a person under 18 years old.
As with other British film certificates, the 18 certificate theoretically only has advisory power for films shown in public cinemas, with the ultimate say being held by local authorities.[1] In practice, the local authorities tend to follow BBFC rulings in all but a few exceptional cases.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18_certificate

If they don't have legal power in public cinemas, I doubt they do in your house.

 

[Kookas]

But who does the enforcement go against

The buyer, as in the parent?

It's one of those laws they'll never really be able to enforce, thankfully. I hate this concept of shielding kids from the real world, only to thrust it all upon them at 18. Up to 18 is precisely the time to learn all about it, IMO.