Clueless Parents Real Threat to Nintendo DS Pictochat "Dangers"
Published February 10, 2007
The question of range came up. Nintendo claims 65 feet, though in an open mall the reporter was able to send messages from over 300 feet. The key thing to realize here is that it was an open mall, with no interference at all. Also, what does the difference between 65 feet and 300 feet mean? Nothing.
I am really getting tired of this crap. Wake up, this is the responsibility of the parents. Why not do a news segment focused on teaching parents about DS and PSP communication features, and drop the alarmist strategy, because it is getting old.
The video segment goes on to discuss how a child molester could be talking to your kid in a moving car. Huh? Do child molesters work in packs now, and form war-driving parties to find kids in cars using Pictochat? Lets not even get started on the subject of how much time a kid is playing a game versus using Pictochat.
The solution here is quite simple: If your child encounters someone they do not know in Pictochat, they turn the DS off. End of story.
Parents, read the manual, and teach your kids about strangers, and what they should do if they encounter one, even in Pictochat.
What's next? Some local news affiliate reporting on how you can download porn on the PSP's web browser? Oh wait... that already happened. I tell ya, these reporters, they really are smart.
I wonder if they know that you can download porn on a cell phone web browser too? And a Palm web browser. And a Wii/DS web browser. And a PS3 web browser...
Wait a minute! Maybe it has more to do with the technology than the device its on? The next episode of "investigative journalism" that uses that common sense gets a cookie.
Ken Edwards is the Gaming Editor at Blogcritics, and calls Breaking Windows home. Ken works part time for Student Publications at BGSU as the Webmaster and System Administrator. He is also a freelance web developer.
- Clueless Parents Real Threat to Nintendo DS Pictochat "Dangers"
- Published: February 10, 2007
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Gaming
- Filed Under: Culture: Society, Sci/Tech: Personal Tech, Gaming: Nintendo DS
- Writer: Ken Edwards
- Ken Edwards's BC Writer page
- Ken Edwards's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
Nice. You are so right. =)
porn on psp? thats why i wont get a psp any way but y about the ds the adults make it UNFUN FOR US KIDS y can parents ruin the fun ??
p.s tell me why ruin the fun?? y?
1 more thing WHY WOULD AN ADULT BE ON A DS USING PICTO CHAT ANYWAYS? i now i dont have a ds but im getin one on the end of this month
You know the DS has Opera? Though you need to buy it. There ya go, all the pr0n you want. In your hand... wait that didn't sound right.
omg i hate psp ok now PORN on the psp psh forget psp im gett'in a ds lite.:)
i need help plz ,, can u view a message sent in pictochat when u leave the chat ,, can u view that same chat like 2 days later ?? please help me
*Exsample* some 1 goes on your ds and then shuts it off ,, then u want to find out what they were saying ,, can you do that ?? thanks
Willis- No, I believe it deletes everything as soon as the Pictochat room is vacated.
I do not think it has a memory once you turn it off.
thank you =(
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wow dude you couldnt be more right, but here is a question i have; If they are wrong about something that us(gamers) know for a fact is completly wrong how often is other things they report on completly bull****. It really makes me not want to listen to the news out of fear that Im hearing a load of crap. because really thats all thats on tv anymore is useless crap with the odd standup comedian who tells us how it is and we laugh. The truth is the "truth" is just as hard to come by as it was back in 1890 but this time we hear/read the rumours and misleading headlines far quicker and far easier.