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Children use debit cards for internet gambling and porn
Last updated at 16:07pm on 10.01.07
Debit cards for children have facilitated gambling on the internet
Children are buying knives, alcohol, tobacco, and pornographic films on the internet, a report has warned.
They are using debit cards issued by banks to children as young as 11 to buy items they would be denied on the high street. Some even use the cards for internet gambling.
Children's charities raised the alarm about this illegal trade in a report to a parliamentary inquiry into personal internet security. They said many parents were ignorant of how their children were using the internet, putting the youngsters at greater risk from online dangers including paedophiles.
The Children's Charities Coalition on Internet Safety said debit cards such as NatWest's Solo were being issued to children as young as 11.
"These can be used to make online payments," the group's chairman John Carr told the Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology.
He said a "reliable visual check of a person's age" was practically impossible on the internet, meaning children could access agerestricted goods or services. "They have been able to gamble, buy knives, alcohol or tobacco, or adult videos," he added. " Children and other young people have also been victims of online fraud."
Mr Carr, new technology adviser to NCH (National Children's Homes), said it had received calls from parents with children as young as 12 who had been gambling online.
Cases of internet under age sales of knives, alcohol, tobacco, and pornography had been reported to the Trading Standards Institute, he added.
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Reader views (2)
I live in the United States and work in the online gaming business, and this article exposes an awful weakness in many online services.
It is my position that American adults should have the freedom to gamble in their homes - just as they can legally do at a casino in 48 of our 50 states - despite the recent hypocritical and corrupt political moves by a few Congressmen. However, as a father of four, there is obviously a desperate need for greater provisions in age verification.
That said, this article seems to expose that - in this particular case - the fault lies more with the bank and debit card system than with an online service.
There is no doubt in my mind that most all in the online gaming industry see no value - monetarily or otherwise - in underage gambling. I am glad this article exposed the vulnerability of children to many online activities and did not single out my industry... as others have.
Online gaming has a need and responsibility to show the public that we are not crooks, not cheats, not terrorists, and have a sincere interest in our customers needs. And those needs have protection of our children at the top of the list.
- J Todd, USA, 11/01/2007 04:47
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I thought you had to be 16 or have a parent to act as guarantor before a bank gave out a debit card. If this rule has changed, they should change it back again.
- Isabel, Woking, England, 10/01/2007 16:14
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