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Los Angeles To Impose Restrictions On Gaming Cybercafes

Posted by simoniker on from the no-play-til-midnight dept.

Thanks to the L.A. Daily News for its story discussing new safety-related restrictions for cybercafes in Los Angeles, including "restricted hours for children, video surveillance and interior waiting areas." Apparently: "Council members voted 11-0 to place rules on roughly 30 cybercafes in Los Angeles that draw a primarily teenage clientele to play video games on high-speed computers linked to the Internet", following "a melee outside the NetStreet Cafe in Northridge [that] left two people injured in December 2002 [and was linked to Counter-Strike in some stories]." Councilman Greg Smith commented: "Cybercafes are not inherently bad or troublesome, it's the attractive nuisance that they provide to children... It's just the nature of the beast that they draw people late at night and provide a place to go that may attract problems." Update: 07/08 23:56 GMT by S : A commenter points to a detailed analysis of the requirements from someone involved in the negotiations, who concludes: "This is actually a victory for the nascent and struggling [cybercafe] industry."

4 of 30 comments (clear)

  1. Good news.. by QuantumRiff · · Score: 2, Insightful
    When do the restrictions go into effect for the malls, theaters, and coffee shops that also attract teenagers?

    Seriously, when are we going to stop legislating absolutely everything.. Do politicians own stock in paper mills?

    --

    What are we going to do tonight Brain?
    1. Re:Good news.. by Ieshan · · Score: 2, Insightful

      This is the kind of uninspired post that will likely get moderated up.

      Gaming is a high adrenaline, competitive activity. It's a lot of fun, but it can be tough on the nerves for cybercafe frequenters. I know. I used to work at one.

      The cybercafe I worked at was also in an arcade (which was there long before the cybercafe was installed), and the arcade was required to post Police duty on Friday and Saturday nights and have security detail for after-hours Cybercafe operation.

      But, hey, your post is a great idea. That's why it's already been done. Malls are required to have security detail, and theatres almost always have a police detail.

      I don't see why it's such a great big deal to reasonably ensure safety for a group of kids *anywhere*.

  2. What's the big deal? by I_Love_Pocky! · · Score: 3, Insightful

    They do this sort of thing in China all the time. I mean it isn't like giving the government the ability to spy on whom ever they want would ever lead to problems.

    Honestly what the heck are they thinking down there? Doesn't anyone care about freedom anymore? Communists!

  3. I don't really understand this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful
    Quote:

    Another requirement is that the ratio of each computer user station to floor space not exceed 20 sq ft per station. This is generally not a problem for all but the most sardine-packed cybercafés, though some may have to make some adjustments.

    When would you have over 20 sq feet per station?