So...what? Anything that can connect to the internet is a "porn portal" now? Do they realize there are OTHER THINGS on the internet, and the Wii is probably the least effective way to view porn, anyway?

I'm not ashamed to say that I have looked at porn on my Wii.

In fact, it was one of the first things I did with the Opera browser.

Why? I just thought it would be a nice juxtaposition.

Wait! I can see porn on the Wii? Okay, I need one.

These are frightened people talking to other frightened people. Don't get worked up by it. If they convince a few parents to pay closer attention to what their children do, then they have done a good thing. I didn’t know that the Wii had browsing capabilities. I monitor my kid’s web access through the computer, but wouldn’t have thought to watch their game system, especially if it weren’t hooked up to the internet. That the Wii is wireless means that my kids could leech without my knowledge. In my opinion "INTERNET ACCESS" is synonymous with “PORN PORTAL”. I accidentally stumble across porn all the time. I read the press release and it said nothing about the Wii being a ‘bad’ thing. The focus was on educating parents of a potential problem.
This will not give the Wii a bad name.
You say they are stupid. I think you mean ignorant.
Overreacting to their comments would be stupid.

I guess what it comes down to is how much do we want to forewarn people - let's say McDonald's offers an internet portal in their restaurant - do we warn people that maybe their filters might fail and maybe you'll find suggestive images? Let's just have technology licenses making it illegal for people under 16 to use computers and stuff...

Licenses aren't needed: If a parent doesn't want their kids using the internet until they are of age, then they are legally allowed to forbid it.
Free market should decide how far companies go in warning people. If one company is vague about how to block inappropriate material and the other company is up-front with me and tells me how to set a ratings block, I will pick the latter. I would actually pay a small premium for the extra security.

This group isn't lying about the Wii. They may be using alarmist language, but so what? This is such a non-issue. Does the Wii provide access to the internet to children who may use it to access porn? yes. Is it a good game console? yes.
This group hasn't "Smeared" the "good" name of the Wii. They are only warning parents of potential hazards. When you jump to the defense of the Wii, it makes it sound like you think children have a right to look at porn.

Is the Wii so perfect that it can't be improved on?
could you say to yourself "I like the Wii, but these parents have a point too. I would never use it, but easy parental controls would be very helpful to a large portion of Wii owners."

Actually, I have always believed that sexually explicit images are much better fare for children than the sort of graphic violence they are allowed to see every day on television and movies. Perhaps children do have a right to look at porn.

not mine. I don't let them watch graphic violence either.

good for you

Violence vs. Sex... which IS the lesser of two "evils" ?

sex isn't evil. Violence (real violence) is 'evil'. As to which is more damaging for children to see: it is obviously violence. Depictions of "normal" sexual activity do not warp or damage children. Depictions of violence do.

"Depictions of "normal" sexual activity do not warp or damage children. Depictions of violence do."

This sounds like a dubious claim. Care to cite a source for that?

I thought that this was pretty well common knowledge by now, but sure thing:

http://www.familymediaguide.com/features/asktheexpert/ask_the_expert_detail-e9f3c5ff-ba1f-4e03-ab2c-5e315b7ad5cf.html

http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/resources/research_documents/reports/violence/upload/National-Television-Violence-Study-Year-Three-1996-97-Report-pdf.pdf
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/yourchild/tv.htm

I guess I should be clear: I'm not talking about hardcore pornography. I'm talking about nudity and people behaving in a sexual manner (kissing, petting, etc).

When it comes to violence I'm refering to graphic violence (not cartoon violence).

Oh, well I was talking about depecitions of vaginal intercourse. When it comes to violence, I'm referring to pushing people.

Maybe tripping them.

I read the article you "linked" from www.familymediaguide.com. I found it interesting that the author said that kids seeing sex in media was pretty much okay, as long as parents educate their children about sexuality. I find it interesting that he made no mention of educating them about violence.

The truth is that exposing children to overtly sexual material (and I ain't talking about a glimpsed ass here) does damage them. It leads to them engaging in sexual activity earlier, and before they are emotionally or even intellectually ready to deal with the natural consequences of sexual activity.

On the other side of the coin, exposing them to overtly violent material is damaging as well.