What's the rules on people who are under-age?

[ploppo]

I just come across someone on Steam who says they are 16. They have been on Steam for 2 years, so they were 14 when they joined. Yet, they have 18+ games in their library.

So, does that mean they lied about their age when they joined? How would they get 18+ games?

[max]

Just these rules;

Rules and Guidelines For Steam: Discussions, Reviews, and User Generated Content
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=4045-USHJ-3810&l=english

[AustrAlien2010]

Not my responsibility. I believe this is something other members should not have to do something about, and it's probably best to let it be.

[ploppo]

I just wondered. Surely it could be a legal problem - like children buying alcohol, etc.

A retail store cannot sell 18-rated stuff to a 14 year old.

[Crazy Tiger]

Originally posted by ploppo:

How would they get 18+ games?

- Gifted by parents;
- Bought on kids account with CC of parents and permission;
- Bought without permission of their parents on Steam;
- Keys purchased on keyseller sites like Fanatical, Green Man Gaming, Humble, etc.

Keep in mind that ratings are advisory and that parents ultimately decide what their kids can or cannot play. Also keep in mind that you have to be 13 years of age to make a Steam account yourself, but that parents are allowed to create a Steam account for younger kids.

Simply put, up to the parents.

[Radene]

Originally posted by ploppo:

I just come across someone on Steam who says they are 16. They have been on Steam for 2 years, so they were 14 when they joined. Yet, they have 18+ games in their library.

So, does that mean they lied about their age when they joined? How would they get 18+ games?

If they lied, that's on them. Steam can't be responsible for the customers lying.

[Mad Scientist]

Realistically it's none of your business.
Parents can also buy games for their kids, alcohol is extremely different from video games.

[cinedine]

Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:

Keep in mind that ratings are advisory

In some countries rating are legally binding for the merchant.
Which is what ploppo referred to:

Originally posted by ploppo:

A retail store cannot sell 18-rated stuff to a 14 year old.

Originally posted by Orion:

alcohol is extremely different from video games.

Nope. Depends on the country. In Germany for example it's both regulated under the JuSchG (law for protection of the youth). There are alcohols (beer and wine) that can be bought with 16 just as some games can be bought with 16. Hard licquour, USK 18+ video games, FSK 18+ movies (as well as rating refused stuff), and tobacco are not to be sold to underage.

[Crazy Tiger]

Originally posted by cinedine:

Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:

Keep in mind that ratings are advisory

In some countries rating are legally binding for the merchant.
Which is what ploppo referred to:

Originally posted by ploppo:

A retail store cannot sell 18-rated stuff to a 14 year old.

Goes for liqour and sigarettes and such. Games like GTA get sold to teenagers under 18 over here.

Did a lookup, Pegi18 is treated as Pegi16 apparently in my country.

[T9]

Isn't the only hurdle to interact with/buy 18+ things online something like
" are u 18?"
- yeah
"cool"

no one gives a damn

[Zekiran]

Their parents may have given permission.

They may be lying about their age.

They may have been on Steam since they were younger than 13.

It's none of your business. If they are abusive, harassing people/you, performing obvious cheats in a game, or spamming links to phishing or scam sites here on the forums, THEN AND ONLY THEN does an account become "your business" to report.