South Korea puts the 'Cinderella Law' into effect

@BillyBongThornton
I completely agree. Children do not have the same rights. That is why their parents must assume responsibility for them. The sad thing is, the need for such a law shows that perhaps parents are falling down on their responsibility.

I personally have no issues with the law. Is it any different than prohibiting alcohol from someone under 21 or tobacco from someone under 18? Laws restricting addictive substances have always been found constitutional even in the US where minors are concerned and unfortunately a person, especially a teen, CAN become addicted. Of course this is South Korea that made this law, not the US, so they may even be on firmer standing as far as their constitution is concerned.

And while I can not blame the developers for being against it, I think it would also be in their best interest at the same time to acknowledge that while gaming is perfectly fine and should be unrestricted, that at the same time SOME people can abuse it. That is the responsibility of the individual, but working with parents and others to bring awareness to limit gameplay and not let it rule someone's life would be both beenficial to help keep government away but also would be a plus to public relations.

@BillyBongThornton

What about children that like to sleep in the afternoon/evening and wake up at midnight to start their day? Doing homework at those hours are great because there are no distractions 12-6am, but a 6 hour homework session is just too long. Sometimes games make for a good break between hard study sessions.

@Morisato13

Children don't do that. College students do.

@Morisato13

there are no restrictions on whether or not a child can be up between midnight and 6am. they just can't play online games during then.

the only problem i see with this is say you have a family. man, wife, child all that jazz. the child is under 16. does this mean no one in the entire house can log on and play an online game after midnight?

other than that it's not my country, and i have no real opinion on it.

@(Unverified)

Then let them abuse it. Kids that want to rot will rot, or they'll turn to other forms of entertainment. I'd rather have some kid clinging to the Farmville splayed on his monitor rather than have him doping up. Then again, this is just like trying to ban teens from porn on the internet. They'll either find a way to get around it, or they'll find different ways to get off. Y'know, like tying a scarf around their neck and going tippy toes on a shakey chair trying to hit that high point.

People don't seem to believe in letting people do stupid things. You will never, ever have a perfect life, your screw ups make you stronger, and you learn from them. Yet some people seem to think it's the Government's job to watch their kids, put them to bed, and even feed them. Besides, what did gaming ever do to a kid, and how far is the slippery slope? Soon they'll be telling adults how long they can play (stamina systems/timers), and then you'll be paying to play it (FFXIV).

Anyone who says this is a good idea, or that America needs something like this, is a lazy, freedom hating moron that deserves to have his urine taken out of the gene pool, preferably with the use of a cannon to the crotch. Or a rabid woodchuck fired out of a blunderbuss.

@Gaugamela
actually asian kids do. they take studies way more seriously

@jslim419
I suppose the law affects children's accounts, based on their birth date. Korean players must use their real KSSN to register so they cant lie about their actual age.
An adult playing an adults- account (+18) wont have this restriction.

@smartstep

So I guess downloading large file games is completely out.

...no it's not actually.

@ShadowXIII

What exactly does the size of a game have to do with anything? All the law is stopping people from doing is logging in and playing - you can still surf and download all you want.

@dtoast

Somehow, I highly doubt its that simple...

@ShadowXIII

You've also simplified it in the opposite direction. It's very possibly for game services to prevent users who have set their age below 16, in logging on to their games. My parents would block me from using AOL at certain hours during its mid 90s glory days.

@Mister Darcy

I 100% promise you if the USA pulls this stunt, or similar...everyone saying 'good idea' would be singing a different tune in seconds.

That's alright though, its already starting to happen now...ya know with the internet censorship bill and all, tell me what would be the next step would be after that if that nonsense actually passes?

@Traptz
America and the UK need this law, is what I should have said.

@elliotrock

guess what little billy, your parents didn't believed in vaccines and after you survived small pox you get to experience polio!, aren't you glad the government doesn't mess with parental decisions?

@elliotrock

Socialistic? Not that I defend socialism (I am not), but USA seem more like corporate capitalistic regime :/

@(Unverified)

on the other hand it would suck if the government had the option to force ADD kids to take a cocaine substitute (Ritalin).

that makes kids health care and the government a really gray area =P

@smartstep
There is a huge difference between true capitalism and crony capitalism. Unfortunately not many seem to know the difference, and socialists engage in crony capitalism such as propping up some companies that should be allowed to fail.