July 22, 2009
Concerned about game addiction among the young, Culture Ministry officials in Thailand have proposed a revised curfew for online game shops.
The Bangkok Post reports that, under the new guidelines, youth under 15 could only remain in gaming establishments until 8pm. Those from 15-18 could stay until 10pm. Shops which allow minors to remain past the curfew could have their operating license suspended or revoked.
Some, however, believe that even more stringent measures are needed. Anya-orn Panitpuengrat, who heads Thailand's Family Network, called for a three-hour time limit on gaming for children.
The Thai cabinet will consider the proposed curfew change next week.
Comments
Re: Worried About Game Addiction, Thailand Considers Youth ...
Whnile I don't have a problem with the idea of this, making it mandatory and punishable by law is overkill.
Suggest it, fine it, make places establish new rules and put up signs, but jail time for gaming a little too long is ridiculous.
Re: Worried About Game Addiction, Thailand Considers Youth ...
Two things:
This is a good idea in general, but shouldn't be done under the guise of "gaming addiction."
You know people (see whiny bitch teenagers) are going to complain about being limited to three hours. I'd only get to play for one hour AFTER homework was done AND chores finished.
---
Freedom of speech means the freedom to say ANYTHING, so long as it is the truth. This does not exclude anything that might hurt someone's feelings.
Re: Worried About Game Addiction, Thailand Considers Youth ...
3 hour time limit? How oppressive! You don't need to take a break that often! :P
Oh wait, I'm not a minor, I can handle it and such things wouldn't apply to me anyway *cackles evilly*
Re: Worried About Game Addiction, Thailand Considers Youth ...
A 8pm cutfew is fine, but only 3 hours of gaming seems overkill. That shoulde be enforce by parents not by goverment.
http://www.magicinkgaming.com/
Re: Worried About Game Addiction, Thailand Considers Youth ...
Well it could be understandably difficult to enforce a 3 hour curfew by parents when their kids are at gaming establishments.
If you transpose this situation to the United States, 16 year olds can easily go to a bowling alley, arcade, movie theater etc. by themselves without the parents being present.
It could be difficult even for the establishment but I think its ok to create a 3 hours on 30 minutes off rule mandating some kind of 30 minute break every 3 hours. Go get some food or something.
It would be easier to do with modern places where you use a card instead of coins to play the machines, just timestamp each swipe and you can track how long an individual card has been active and refuse to allow the transaction to go through for 30 minutes every 3 hours.
Re: Worried About Game Addiction, Thailand Considers Youth ...
Neither of these ideas in and of themselves are too problematic. I agree that a curfew should apply generally not merely to arcades. Apply it to movie theaters, clubs, etc as well.
The 3 hour limit is certainly a good idea, I know I usually take a break every hour and a half or so. 3 hours straight is a long time to stare at a computer screen. Even at work I usually take a quick like 2 minute respite from staring at my screen every hour or 90 minutes and just take a quick walk around the office.
I wouldn't have a massive problem with making it a law as a health and safety regulation. But it should be civil penalties (fines, loss of license etc.) only, it certainly shouldn't be a CRIMINAL violation.
Re: Worried About Game Addiction, Thailand Considers Youth ...
Applying the curfew to too many activities is very problematic. Why is drug abuse in teenagers so high in (some) middle class areas? Because the areas are boring with no social activities (outside school and sports) such as community centers, cyber cafes, arcades, movie theatres (not restricted, but you cant go every night), etc. So what to do with yourself? Hang out in someones basement and smoke pot.
I like the limit much better. It's regulation and moderation that wins the day, not oppressive curfews.
Re: Worried About Game Addiction, Thailand Considers Youth ...
Re: Worried About Game Addiction, Thailand Considers Youth ...
The suggestion that children only play video games no more than 3 hours a day isn't a bad idea, but only as a SUGGESTION. Making it a law is oppressive. As for the curfew, I see nothing wrong with curfews for chiildren, except if you're going to do it, it should be universal, not directed at a single activity.
Re: Worried About Game Addiction, Thailand Considers Youth ...
I can see where a governement might consider a curfew for minors, but that should apply to everywhere. Singling out one place would just make the teens retreat to other locations, many of which are unsafe, after 8 PM.
Re: Worried About Game Addiction, Thailand Considers Youth ...
Yeah, especially with all those teens there! Ba-dum-pish!