Nintendo DS Hurting Children!
Philadelphia ABC-6 Action News at 11 tonight poses the question, "Is the Nintendo DS connecting your child with Strangers?" It also asks, using an exclamation point instead of a question mark, "Are unsuspecting kids being lured into dangerous chat rooms using this toy!"
"Never did I think I had to warn her..." reads an unattributed quote.
We've been struggling in trying to figure out how kids can be "lured into dangerous chat rooms" while using the Nintendo DS, considering that the DS's chat program, PictoChat, can not be used over the internet, and also keeping in mind that the only way to interact with a living being over the internet through your Nintendo DS is to do so through a game that supports Nintendo WiFi Connection, all of which require both parties to input "friend codes" before they can play with each other.
GameSetWatch co-editor Brandon Sheffield suggests that a potential dangerous chatroom lurer could post an ad on CraigsList asking children to email him or her to exchange Animal Crossing friends codes. Once the friends code exchange is made, the child can visit the stranger's town and chat, awkwardly, one slow and character-limited line at a time. By the time the child has picked all of the stranger's fruit, bought out the shop, trampled a few flowers and left, the stranger might, in theory, be able to say "what are you weari-"
My plan is a little more elaborate, and involves the only other WiFi-enabled DS games people might actually own, Mario Kart DS. Now, there's no chat feature in Mario Kart DS, so we potential predators could not say naughty things in-game to other players. And while it is possible to race against strangers using an internet connection, there is no way to communicate with them, before during or after the race.
However, I think I've found a loophole. Mario Kart DS has a custom icon option, which enables players to draw their own decal to use on their karts. For those with no pixel skill, there is a free online converter to downsample a picture of your choosing into a decal. Theoretically, a dangerous chatroom lurer could use this option for communication with strangers - i.e., children!
Now, for this example, we'll assume that our predator wants to lure people into a particular chatroom...let's say, "teenchat" through America Online. I don't know if such a room exists, but it sounds likely - and dangerous - enough. Using the custom decal maker, a predator could make an image such as this one:
Which, when downsampled and displayed on a DS, looks like this:
Now, this isn't easy to read, but it's not impossible. And while most decals are displayed either on the hood or the sides of a cart, Donkey Kong does have one car that can display a decal on the back side. So a child-to-dangerous-chatroom facilitator could use this car, display their message icon, and try to drive in front of a player as much as possible, hoping that a) the person is a child, b) the child can read the text somehow, c) the child has AOL, and d) the child is curious enough to go into the chatroom, where the evil predator is waiting to do dangerous things!
We're pretty sure this is the answer ABC-6 will have tonight.
[UPDATE - 7.54pm PST, 02/14/06: ABC-6 has the article version of their story up now, which makes it clear that they're talking about Pictochat and citing a particular incident, and includes 'Internet Safety Expert' Keith Dunn's dire warning: "Predators are using Nintendo DS anywhere in the world" - thanks to commenters for pointing this out.]
Comments
Never have I been more embarassed about the city I live in -- I'll be sure to watch this tonight to see what story they can spin.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 14, 2006 4:55 PM
Anonymous: let us know what they say!
Posted by: frankc | February 14, 2006 4:59 PM
Wasn't able to watch, but the article version of this is here : http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=special_coverage&id=3905371 . They actually make a good point about remembering chat safety with the DS, but they really seem to be confusing the game wifi networks and the inbuilt wireless. They set up the DS at a wifi hotspot -- but it doesn't need or is even able to use one for Pictochat. All DS gamers know that games that actually CAN be used with wifi have no/little chat capability at all. Also they say Nintendo "claims", but it's a FACT that a DS has a limited range for communication and a FACT that only another DS can be used to chat. This just seems to be an article that while it has a good overall message of safety, really screws up the actual details. Oi, non-gamer media....
Posted by: Anonymous | February 14, 2006 7:49 PM
i dont believe this.....
why would they pick on the DS???
they should be more focusing on AIM or some other MMOG
Posted by: whimp | February 14, 2006 7:49 PM
This is the most ridiculous article I have ever read!
Posted by: Tom | February 14, 2006 8:23 PM
I sent them helpful "tips" about dealing with predators. Mainly - if someone harasses you or your children over Pictochat, call the police. They are necessarily nearby. If you encounter predators in the same area multiple times, get on the case of whoever manages the area and let them know that their facilities are being used as a haven for child molesters.
Posted by: bongo bongo | February 14, 2006 8:52 PM
Call the station: 866-639-7749 and tell them how they are wrong. I did!
Posted by: Incorrect! | February 14, 2006 9:13 PM
I agree with Frankc, they're a little confused in the article... but their message is still valid. Lets say my son had a DS (he doesn't, but my wife and I each have our own) and he's sitting around drawing in pictochat for fun. A stranger enters the chat room and asks where he lives? I'm sorry, that is more scary than over the internet because that someone is REALLY CLOSE.
They're not trying to lure you into a dirty chat room, they're more likely looking for something a lot worse.
Posted by: Jeff | February 14, 2006 9:49 PM
You know you have to be within eyesight range more or less to chat in DS Pictochat right?
This story makes no sense...
Posted by: Fred | February 15, 2006 12:59 AM
Fred: Yes. PictoChat does NOT, I repeat DOES NOT work over the internet. It DOES NOT require a hotspot. It ONLY works in what is known as "ad hoc" mode, where the DS' are talking to each other directly. As the end of the article says: 65 ft, which, as you say, is about eyesight range.
It's just the news people making a big stink about something they are grossly misinformed about. I agree it's still something to pay attention to for parents, but it's not as big a deal as they're saying.
Posted by: jrronimo | February 15, 2006 5:47 AM
This is your best story yet. I am going to use that MK decal if you don't mind. AOL Teenchat has been a little empty lately.
Posted by: Matt | February 15, 2006 6:28 AM
Hey the DS has other functions too, one time I was on the bus and I hooked up with a hottie teen DSer. . .
true story. . . okay so I lied, but the DS can still be used for consenting adults, too.
Posted by: AcidLacedPenguiN | February 15, 2006 7:56 AM
The Pictochatter is coming from INSIDE THE HOUSE!
Posted by: frankc | February 15, 2006 9:09 AM
Unfortunately I have to side with the news on this one. A stranger within 65 feet talking to a kid is pretty creepy.
It sounds like the local news station is confused about how the DS works, but what they said is pretty scary. Kids talking to kids on the playground is cute, but some adult trying the same thing in a cafe? "Turn it off and walk away" as reported is the best thing to do!
Posted by: johnr | February 15, 2006 10:24 AM
Does no one realise you have to be at least 65 feet close to the child for pictochat. You could more or less just pick them up then...
Posted by: Anonymous | February 15, 2006 11:46 AM
When I'm within 65 feet of children I don't need a DS in order to kidnap them, but I suppose it could be a useful tool. THANKS FOR THE IDEA, PHILADELPHIA ABC-6.
But seriously, who wants to chat with kids anyway? They can't even form proper sentences half the time.
Posted by: bsheffield | February 15, 2006 12:57 PM
You know, Brandon, you're the only person I've ever Pictochatted with.
Posted by: frankc | February 15, 2006 4:58 PM
AcidLaced that is the fuinniest thing I have seen all day.
Posted by: Jashwa | February 15, 2006 5:21 PM
Frankc, you're sarcastically right. 65 feet is too close for the DS to be the main problem. This is yet another example of the "Could you drown in the ocean?" over-hyped sweeps month news.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 15, 2006 6:27 PM
Wait, what kind of child would obey the command of a Mario Kart icon? They're playing someone, see it, and just decide to follow the instructions? Not likely.
This whole Action News think if defunct too. PictoChat only works within 65 feet of another DS, i.e. shouting distance. It's doesn't use wireless access points or the internet at all. To be honest, I'd be more worried that there's a pervert within 65 feet of my child, than the fact that he's just virtually sent a warning of this fact.
Posted by: Rich | February 16, 2006 7:44 AM
The previous two posters are advised by GameSetWatch to have their sarcasm meters brought in to the shop for annual maintenance as soon as possible.
Posted by: frankc | February 16, 2006 8:42 AM
totally terrible article... i mean... come on.. the DS?
I think the phrase 'nintendo ds' should be replaced with... i don't know... say 'the internet'
Posted by: varnon | February 16, 2006 2:26 PM
Obviously the news believes lies without researching first
Posted by: Ashley | March 10, 2006 6:48 AM
This is by far the most hilarious nonsense ever written. And total proof that the average person knows nothing on this subject and in short, total idiots.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 12, 2006 5:16 AM
AH NO, i'm throwing my DS out, thats it boys.
I don't wanna get e-raped.
Posted by: slothboy | March 12, 2006 10:11 AM
ideots they wanna start puting codes just to play online with somone! sounds like over pertective parents to me lol =/
Posted by: ben wooten | November 30, 2006 1:02 PM
thats gay!!!!!
Posted by: sora0hearts | November 30, 2006 1:03 PM
NEVER EVER SAY BAD THINGS ABOUT THE DS!!! YOU BASTARDS
Posted by: Knuckles | December 14, 2006 9:41 AM
That is rediculous. Whoever says that people decal their mario cart to communicate with children is retarded! that would take soo much time to do and not enough to talk to anyone seeing as how mario cart isnt going to keep the child entertained long enough for that to happen. Also who the Hell ever did that! That is a lie, nobody is going to waste their time trying to lure children with mariocart!!! STFU DS IS THE OWNAGE OF ALL!!!
Posted by: PLASMA | December 28, 2006 4:05 PM
work's done the way it must be..! ^^
Posted by: dizionario | February 23, 2007 6:34 PM
i wish this game was real dont u
Posted by: tianna | January 19, 2008 3:42 AM