Parents who don't stop children playing Call of Duty to be reported to POLICE warn schools

PARENTS who do not stop their children playing video games such as Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto will be reported to the police for neglect by meddling headteachers, it emerged today.

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Parents who let their children play games like Call of Duty could be reported to the police

A group of primary schools has sent a letter home to parents warning them that they will call in the police and social services if children reveal in the playground that they have been playing adult-themed games. 

The schools said the games could increase "early sexualised behaviours" and could even leave children open to sexual exploitation. 

The bizarre ultimatum was issued by headteachers at the Nantwich Education Partnership, in Cheshire, which oversees 15 primary schools and one secondary academy. 

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Call of Duty has a huge following but has been criticised for glorifying violence

I think the schools are stepping outside the realm of what is probably acceptable

Margaret Morrissey, campaigner

The letter, sent out last month, said: "Several children have reported playing or watching adults play games which are inappropriate for their age and they have described the levels of violence and sexual content they have witnessed: Call Of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, Dogs Of War and other similar games are all inappropriate for children and they should not have access to them.

"If your child is allowed to have inappropriate access to any game or associated product that is designated 18-plus we are advised to contact the police and children's social care as it is neglectful.

Parents were also warned about allowing their youngsters to have accounts on social media sites such as Facebook and WhatsApp because it could make them vulnerable to sexual grooming.

The letter stated: "Access to these games or to some social media sites such as those above increases early sexualised behaviours (sometimes harmful) in children and leaves them vulnerable to grooming for sexual exploitation or extreme violence."

However the edict was immediately slammed by Margaret Morrissey, of campaign group Parents Outloud, who told the Sunday Times that the schools had overstepped the mark. 

"Accepting the huge concerns about these violent games and their effect on children, I think the schools are stepping outside the realm of what is probably acceptable," she said. 

However, she accepted that there is now "huge pressure" on teachers to report safeguarding concerns following a series of child sex scandals in Rotherham, Rochdale and Oxford. 

 

In response, David Cameron announced earlier this month that teachers and social workers who fail to report concerns about children could face up to five years in prison. 

Bloody and violent video games have repeatedly drawn criticism over the damaging influence they can have, particularly on young gamers.

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The schools argued playing adult-themed games could leave children more open to sexual exploitation

Call of Duty is played by millions of youngsters around the world who work their way through gory scenarios and missions armed to the teeth with powerful weapons.

Norweigan mass murderer Anders Breivik even claimed he trained himself in combat by using the game shortly before going on to kill 77 people, including  69 youngsters, at a remote summer camp. 

Grand Theft Auto - best known for allowing players to commit totally random acts of brutality - was even banned from shops in Australia over fears that it glamourises violence against women and mindless killing. 

Defending the letter sent home to parents the headteacher who drafted it, Mary Hennessy Jones, argued that the schools were trying to set down "clear guidelines" to help parents protect their children. 

She said: "We are trying to help parents to keep their children as safe as possible in this digital era.

"It is so easy for children to end up in the wrong place and parents find it helpful to have some very clear guidelines."

Official 2015 Call of Duty® European Championship Recap [PEGI]

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