Its All Porn and Games Til Someone Gets Hurt

An 11 year old kid in Britain recently got caught selling adult DVDs on school grounds (at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_west/4678869.stm). When I first read this, three thoughts immediately went through my mind, in quick succession. The first thought was, although what the kid did was wrong, did they have to make a federal case out of it? I did some big, regrettable things as an adolescent in school. But I would have been mortified if those things had made the neighborhood gossip ring, much less received national media attention from the likes of the BBC.

My second, and gut-level response was a somewhat typical male, "Boys will be boys." Then I started wondering: what is this situation trying to tell us? If there ever was a sign that porn was too accessible, especially as far as kids were concerned, this was it.

The reason I say this is because this story (about the kid selling DVDs) somewhat coincided with two other announcements. The first was the revelation - at least on a grander level anyway, I'm sure a select few people had known for a while - that the video game Grand Theft Auto San Andreas contained hidden elements and mini-games of a pornographic nature which could be accessed by obtaining certain modifications on the net (http://www.katu.com/entertainment/story.asp?ID=78361). (I'd tell you the website for the modifications, but I'd actually like you to finish reading this article...:)) This game was hip among teenage boys to begin with. The discovery of hidden porn might push it over the top, even if it's just by kids who want to know and confirm that the rumors of porn are true.

The second announcement was that adult movie houses in Japan have released or are soon to release porn movies for the Playstation Portable (PSP) (http://www.digitmag.co.uk/news/index.cfm?NewsID=4984). It seems that the production of adult movies in the PSP-exclusive Universal Media Disc (UMD) format has not started in the US - yet.

Now I'm not saying that if/when the widespread availability of adult UMDs becomes a reality, these discs will by and large be sold side-by-side with the more mainstream video games. Not even alongside those rated M and above. But there will be acceptions: such as video games being sold in an otherwise adult-themed boutique or shop. And also, you know there will be the occasional unscrupulous store owner who attempts to make the adult discs available to underage gamers who shop in his mainstream gaming store.

Teenagers, by their very nature, are an inquisitive lot and they will do what you allow them to get away with. They often try to grow up way too fast and they are quite curious to know about sex. They're prone to peer pressure, and for better or worse, they try to fit in or impress their friends or both. They will try to get their hands on the coolest items.

The fact that these items (both the game and the gaming system) are somewhat connected to porn, which at that stage in a teen's life is a somewhat taboo (read hip and desirable) subject, is only going to make that item more wanted. (I guess in a way then that the producers of such software are marketing geniuses. Although I'd like to think that none of those producers were targeting minors from the start.)

Did the folks over at Rockstar Games honestly think they could make a mainstream video game, M-rated (for mature) though it is (so the producers could claim that they've covered their asses), and not have kids get there hands on the game in addition to seeking out codes for that game? My brother, while in his mid-teens, received a copy of Max Payne as a gift (another Rockstar Games production, by the way) - this is a notoriously M-rated game also, but at least it didn't contain adult material.

Also, I'm an avid video game player in my spare time so I troll gaming boards all the time looking for cheating codes and special "Easter eggs" (gaming extras); and believe me, I'm not the only one looking. I have to question why the security for the gaming code is so lax and hack-prone in the first place.

Listen, we all know that if a kid is determined enough, he will find porn on his own. But we don't have to make it so accessible and portable. It's bad enough that porn is now accessible on cell phones. As prevalent and affordable as cell phones are, the average age of kids getting cells now is getting lower and lower. Parents can afford to outfit the entire family (kids included) with cells so everyone can keep in touch.

At least, if you were to whip out a portable dvd player or laptop to view a porn dvd in public, that would arouse some interest (perhaps even from potential thieves?). But viewing porn on your cell, without anyone looking directly over your shoulder (and assuming no one can hear the moans), is no more conspicuous than reading the newspaper.

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing inherently illegal in putting out porn discs in game software format or producing adult material in adult games that are explicitly slated for adults only. But software producers should take it under advisement not to make it any easier than it has to be for kids to obtain porn. Especially if said porn is contained in such boast-worthy items as a high-tech cell-phone, the latest hip video game, and a popular gaming console.

If these items were gasoline (and they just might cost less than the latter nowadays), the average underage teen fascination with sex is just the spark that's needed to make the situation blowup in a content developer's face.

The author is affiliated with http://www.sex-toys-videos.com, and writes regular porn and sex toy articles for his blog page.

In The News:


Quality sex education vital for combatting rape culture - Scoop.co.nz (press release)


Quality sex education vital for combatting rape culture
Scoop.co.nz (press release)
To address this issue, Ms Walker has created a sex education programme called GET A GRIP teenz which aims to assist parents and schools to partner together to talk about sex in a healthy way and address abusive sexual behaviour head on, helping ...

and more »

Texas School District Sex Education Compares Non-Virgins To Chewed Gum - Huffington Post


Texas School District Sex Education Compares Non-Virgins To Chewed Gum
Huffington Post
Sexual health advocate Katie Gustainis Vela recently obtained what appears to be an instructional worksheet meant for teachers who lecture on sex ed. Vela tweeted a photo of the worksheet -- which likens people who have premarital sex to pieces of ...

and more »

sex ed guidelines start at Year 1 - New Zealand Herald


sex ed guidelines start at Year 1
New Zealand Herald
Teachers of students as young as 5 will soon have access to new sexuality education guidelines addressing issues such as identity and relationships. The guidelines commissioned by Family Planning are designed to help teachers of students in Years 1 to ...

and more »

PEI guide for parents: 'healthy' for kids to masturbate, touch genitals of ... - Lifesite


PEI guide for parents: 'healthy' for kids to masturbate, touch genitals of ...
Lifesite
The 7-page guide, titled “Children's Sexual Behaviours: A Parent's Guide”, put out by the Provincial Child Sexual Abuse Advisory Committee, provides a standard for what experts consider normal sexual behaviour in children from preschool to grade four.

UF not responsible for drop in sexual health rankings - The Independent Florida Alligator


UF not responsible for drop in sexual health rankings
The Independent Florida Alligator
“Stanger-Hall and Hall discovered that the states with the lowest teen pregnancy rates institute 'abstinence-plus' sex education, ensuring that abstinence and information about sexual health and contraceptives are both covered,” PolicyMic stated.

Planned Parenthood wants preschoolers to know mechanics of sexual intercourse - Lifesite


Planned Parenthood wants preschoolers to know mechanics of sexual intercourse
Lifesite
“These are preschoolers. This is the sex education Planned Parenthood wants them to have—is fighting for them to have.” Jim Sedlak followed up with the scientific facts about how early sex education harms children by disturbing their sexual latency ...

and more »

Katie Fitzpatrick: Quality sex education vital for schools - New Zealand Herald


Katie Fitzpatrick: Quality sex education vital for schools
New Zealand Herald
Again, as Rebecca Kamm noted, sexual assault rates go down as social awareness of these issues goes up. Sexuality classes, as part of health education, are currently given very little curriculum time in secondary and intermediate schools. While it is a ...


Male Breast Enlargement Products - Mens Options for Male to Female Breast Enlargement

Male to female breast enlargement and enhancement is gaining quite... Read More

Thong Fascination: Just Another Way to Tease The Boys, or a Glimpse Into The Future?

They say that the thong is much more comfortable to... Read More

How to Find the Female G-spot

The G-spot is a highly erogenous zone inside the vagina.... Read More

Sex Toys - Theres One For Everyone

Dongs & DildosThe most common of sex toys, dildos or... Read More

Learn This Rare But Simple Seduction Technique in 12 Minutes

Let's dive right into these few paragraphs that have been... Read More

Discover The Secret Power of Sexual Perception

Let's dive into this stuff right now!If you want to... Read More

Furvert: Part 1 in an Investigative Series of Obscure Sexual Fetishes

Borne of the science fiction and fantasy fan scene, the... Read More

Oral Sex Tips for Men

Cunnilingus tips:Be cleanHave a shower or bath together first. This... Read More

Same Sex Commitment Ceremonies - Negotiating the Gendered Nature of Ceremony Traditions

While a commitment ceremony is based on a traditional wedding,... Read More

Mindfulness and Sex: Right There, Right Now

Mindfulness is downright sexy.After all, what's hotter than a partner... Read More

Gay Wedding Ring: Symbol of Love and Equality

A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion for many people, although... Read More

How Do You Use Anal Beads? Why Are Anal Beads So Popular?

Anal beads are used by both men and women and... Read More

A Vision of a New Morality

When looking at society, and seeing the constant hypocrisies, the... Read More

Where Does Homosexuality Come From

Some of us may wonder where do homosexuality comes from?... Read More

May 17: A Dubious Anniversary

The month of May, May 17 to be exact, marks... Read More

The Health Benefits of Sex

Lose weight. Reduce stress. Lower your cholesterol level. Improve your... Read More

Adultery: Problems, People, and Pain

Let's consider the problems caused by adultery:In the Workplace, Courts... Read More

Learn How To Start Fingering Yourself Today Starting From Scratch

If you masturbate, but you're just not succeeding in pleasuring... Read More

Excess Vaginal Wetness - What are Your Options

Vaginal Wetness during Sex: YOU MAY BE WETTER THAN NECESSARY!Most... Read More

Fingering Checklist

This article is a short checklist, which is absolutely essential... Read More

Lovemaking Position - Size Does Matter

Do you have an average size or a short penis?... Read More

The Romantic StripTease!

Have you ever fantasized about being a stripper? Have you... Read More

Infidelity Discovered? 10 Ways to Calm Your Powerful Feelings

When you find out about the affair, the first few... Read More

Making Love for a Lifetime: Seniors and Sexuality

We are sexual beings, throughout the lifespan. This includes the... Read More

Commitment Ceremonies & Same Sex Weddings - Writing Your Vows

Whether you are committing to each other for the first... Read More