http://www.techspot.com/news/51153-new-york-purges-another-2100-sex-offender-held-game-accounts.html

In short, New York City banned 2100 online accounts which were used by sex offenders to play video games on services like Xbox Live, Battle.net, Playstation Network etc. to protect the children being lured by the pedobears on gaming networks.

While I agree that pedophiles are awful and mentally ill people, taking the gaming away from them will just make them even more dangerous. They will start repeating their crimes simply out of revenge, because they did their time in jail and gaming for these people is a way to escape from reality. With purges like this(I bet someone lost their raiding characters in WoW or high ranking Black Ops 2 profile, XBL achievements etc.), they feel violated by the government and come to the point where they just don't give a sheep anymore. Criminals like these should be rehabilitated, not getting kicked while they are already down or it will backfire.

What do you think on the subject?

Fuck em.

Just to let some people know, urinating in public can get you that sex offender tag.

If a sex offender is going to remain being a sex offender just because he is no longer allowed to play video games on line, then I think it's safe to say he is BEYOND help.

Dead or alive you're coming with me.

I think you should consider what can get you landed with a sex offender charge first. I found out my best friend from high school is a registered sex offender for dating a 17 year old when he was 18. (Included sex, obviously) The girls parents went into full on rage mode because she had a pregnancy scare. He got probation for something like 4 years, which is ridiculous. Then he got sent to prison because within those four years, he got a misdemeanor charge. That's damned ridiculous and pisses me off.

Also, what that one guy said about urinating in public. Don't forget about kids sexting each other using webcams.

That said, I'm not sure if they do a blanket ban of all sex offenders with this Game Over thing or not. Either way, I'm also not a fan of this law regardless of how severe the crime. Perhaps law enforcement could receive daily tracking of affected accounts somehow or at least just have all communication blocked even if it's vital for a game such as an MMO. I'd be in support of that.

First off, what is the age of consent in your state? I agree that is stupid, but that is still a factor.
Secondly, I am aware of that being an issue (urinating in public).
Third, my post was meant to be a response to the OP's question, as a joke.

Also, fuck New York City. That place is the shining example of a nanny state. I hope Bloomberg gets caught with a prostitute.


Sorry, had to get that out.

that will show them!!!!!!!

ps. alienating sex offenders from the society in a way, they will be punished severily after being released from jail is a delicate matter.

There have to be ways to ensure children's safety, but on the other hand, alienating them more from society will only push them more towards hideous crimes (because there's nothing left on earth for them, even WoW servers)

Reading this thread makes me assume that the US "sex offender" tag is not just kind of worthless but also a serious insult to every person on earth that has really been molested/raped.

It is.

What exactly is the point of this...to prevent sex offenders from finding children to molest?

That seems rather stupid.

Sex offenders seem to really get the short end of the stick. I've heard that at least in some locations sex offenders have to go door to door to tell people they are a sex offender. http://www.enterprisenews.com/topstories/x1664570950/Expert-Door-to-door-sex-offender-notification-not-more-effective-than-other-forms apparently Massachusetts is like that.

To my knowledge that is not the case with any other criminal.

Also, some places make them put up a sign that would make people realize they are sex offenders (granted you could just look them up online) http://abcnews.go.com/US/california-sex-offenders-fighting-halloween-ban/story?id=17386757#.UNQfKax218E
The sign doesn't come out and say it "No candy or treats at this residence." but someone who knew what the sign meant or just typed the words online would figure it out easily. If they did something like that they should at least not require the sign, then they could just be seen as someone who doesn't like Halloween.

And really, if you're going to argue that sex offenders shouldn't be allowed to go online because they might find a child to molest, couldn't the same argument be made about murders may find someone to murder, or thieves may find someone to steal from?

Seems to be reinforcing the idea that video games are just for kids too. "Why else would an adult sex offender be playing video games if not to find children? I mean, it's not like an adult could find enjoyment from them."


And as other people have mentioned, innocent things can get you labeled as a sex offender.

I agree. Now these sick assholes have more free time too and that is not a good thing. Society should want these people to stay home and play games 24/7.

unless people are using their social #'s for these games I don't see what's stopping them from just creating a new account?

Didn't one state tag a guy as a sex offender because he owned some weird manga?

I'm pretty sure that happened.