Congressman Mark Kirk (R-IL) has decided that Second Life is going to be his target, but instead of simply saying what it is, he instead makes up a few lies about it in order to hopefully make it look as if he’s some kind of superhero representative who is flying to the aid of parents and children across the nation.
Before I continue, please notice that leaving comments on his YouTube videos is disabled so that no one can counter the misinformation that he says.
“Congressman Mark Kirk Discusses the Dangers of Second Life”
- In this one, he actually says the following: “If sites like Second Life won’t protect children from obviously inappropriate content, we should.” Imagine that! A Republican suggesting that someone else (someone other than parents) should be the first ones to look out for someone else’s children! Next thing you know we’ll find out that Republican Congressmen or Republican governors are cheating on their wives while preaching against infidelity. But that would never happen, would it?
- He also says, “Children can commit suicide, go to rape rooms, sex clubs, participate in Satanic worship, hold other avatars captive, visit bondage stores, purchase assault weapons, and simulate human sacrifice. These are only a fraction of the many inappropriate, explicit actions that children can participate in via Second Life.” Would someone please tell Kirk that if a child has accessed the adult section (grid) of Second Life that they have immediately violated the terms of use that were set forth by SL’s creators, Linden Labs? Teenagers who wish to use Second Life have their own “teen grid.” If parents aren’t watching their kids close enough, whose fault is that, Mr. Kirk?
- He then says, “Second Life claims to prevent children under 13 from accessing the site, but no age verifications are built in to the registration process.” This is simply a lie from Mr. Kirk. An age verification system does exist. Many of us have been complaining about how it’s been used for months.
“Second Life and Online Predators”
- Similar to the previous video, Kirk flat-out lies. He says that, “They don’t properly screen for children. In their own user agreement they say adults can be in the child area, children can be in the adult area.” This is clearly false. Here’s the Second Life terms of service agreement with respect to user ages (I’ve bolded the areas which contradict the veracity of Kirk’s comments):
You must be at least 13 years of age to participate in the Service. Users under the age of 18 are prohibited from accessing the Service other than in the area designated by Linden Lab for use by users from 13 through 17 years of age (the “Teen Area”). Users age 18 and older are prohibited from accessing the Teen Area. Any user age 18 and older who gains unauthorized access to the Teen Area is in breach of this Agreement and may face immediate termination of any or all Accounts held by such user for any area of the Service. If you reside in a jurisdiction where the age of majority is greater than 18 years old, you are prohibited from accessing the Service until you have reached such age of majority.
By accepting this agreement in connection with an Account outside the Teen Area, you represent that you are an adult 18 years of age or older. By accepting this agreement in connection with an Account for use in the Teen Area, you represent that (i) you are at least 13 years of age and less than 18 years of age; (ii) you have read and accept this Agreement; (iii) your parent or legal guardian has consented to you having an Account for use of the Teen Area and participating in the Service, and to providing your personal information for your Account; and (iv) your parent or legal guardian has read and accepted this Agreement.
- He also mentions that extra care should be taken because kids might lie about their age. Mr. Kirk, if that’s the case, the child is the one who has initiated the problem.
- He tells the TV viewers that the average gang shooter in his district is in the seventh grade. The seventh grade? Hmmm...Mr. Kirk, it sounds like you have more serious issues to worry about than a bunch of people playing on Second Life.
“Dangers of Second Life”
- Even though SL has been around since 2003, Fox News refers to it as a “new Website.” This is par for the course of Fox News, however, since last year they referred to Slash as being the guitarist for Guns ‘n’ Roses, even though he left the group in 1996.
- Again, Kirk lists the drug labs, rape rooms, etc. He fails to inform the viewers that none of that is on the teen grid. If he told the truth, Kirk’s argument would be shot to hell.
Since Kirk makes it impossible for anyone to challenge him on any of his assertions, I’m doing it now. And it’s not difficult to do.
Oh, and since Kirk seems to know about many children who are using the adult grid (as he claims), that means that he has their account information or knows of who they are. I’m hoping that he turns over this account information so that Linden Labs can delete them. If Kirk knows about these children who are violating the terms of service and doesn’t turn over this information, he’s not protecting anyone. Actually, he would then be helping them violate the terms of service.
Would a Congressman do that?
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