Imagine having a kid and when he turn an age where you think he/she is mature enough to play an M-Rated game, you allow him/her too. Of course, I would be talking about a kid younger than the age of 17. So, lets say you did that and the police found out and they sent you to jail — does that sound ridiculous? I think so, but New Zealand’s chief government censor is asking for that exact measure.

According to Bill Hasting, the country is calling for prosecution to parents for up to 3 months in jail and/or $10,000 fine. They believe it would send a clear “shock value” to parents.

“They might think the offense is silly, but it ain’t”.

“That’s what the law says, but . . . you’re not going to have police officers in every bedroom … There would certainly be some shock value to prosecuting a parent who gives their under-18 child access to a restricted game. It would send out a message that the enforcement agency means business.”

Hastings believes calling the game a “game” is misleading to the public and that the word makes it safe like “checkers,” and no harm can come from it. Although, I have yet to meet one parent who believes this, but hey, who can argue with Bill Hastings.

Oddly enough, I thought New Zealand was home to some brilliant people because Peter Jackson was from there, apparently I was “mislead.”

(Of course I’m kidding all you New Zealanders — but why does Hastings have power?)