Assessment status:
Runescape has passed the AWL assessment.
Website link: www.runescape.com
Assessor: danboy785
Closed on 11/10/07
Scheduled for re-assessment.
Runescape has passed the AWL assessment.
Website link: www.runescape.com
Assessor: danboy785
Closed on 11/10/07
Scheduled for re-assessment.
Runescape
RuneScape is a browser-based MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game). In simple terms, all this means is that the game is not bought or downloaded, but instead runs off our website, through a popular platform called JAVA.
Overall I believe that Runescape is a prime example of how safety can be implemented in a game, over the 4 years I have played this game I have never ran into a case of children being abused through it.
I believe that this site should be an example to all online gaming sites aimed at children and its rules, procedures and steps taken to prevent rule breaking and child abuse are exemplary.
Through the use of the moderators, and the automatic word filter it is difficult for people to swear, be abusive and it also blocks website addresses, e-mail addresses, words like: Phone (to help prevent people asking for private information) it's rules even prohibit people from asking for people's personal information e.g. phone number.
PASS
PASS
PASS
CRITERIA
Abuse, bans, sanctions
The site's rules must, at a minimum ban and have sanctions for the following: Offensive language (including discrimination, and bullying of users), promotion/endorsement of illegal activity, adult material, advertising/linking to adult/offensive sites.
REPORT
The rules do block all of the above, and players who break the rules are punished through a 'black mark' system as well as mutes and bans being used to deal with any breach of the rules.
Abuse, bans, sanctions
The site's rules must, at a minimum ban and have sanctions for the following: Offensive language (including discrimination, and bullying of users), promotion/endorsement of illegal activity, adult material, advertising/linking to adult/offensive sites.
REPORT
The rules do block all of the above, and players who break the rules are punished through a 'black mark' system as well as mutes and bans being used to deal with any breach of the rules.
CRITERIA
Code of conduct
Site staff must have a code of conduct in dealing with users and what powers they may use and when. Site staff must also be monitored to be following the rules and not misusing powers or their position.
REPORT
Although there is not specific evidence of this from what we have seen in earlier criteria they do seem to take privacy and safety seriously, however as there is no specific evidence we cannot be 100% certain of this code of conduct. However moderators do have a code of conduct as revealed in the about moderators guide.
Code of conduct
Site staff must have a code of conduct in dealing with users and what powers they may use and when. Site staff must also be monitored to be following the rules and not misusing powers or their position.
REPORT
Although there is not specific evidence of this from what we have seen in earlier criteria they do seem to take privacy and safety seriously, however as there is no specific evidence we cannot be 100% certain of this code of conduct. However moderators do have a code of conduct as revealed in the about moderators guide.
CRITERIA
Comply with laws
The site must comply with all relevant privacy laws depending on the country they are based in, e.g. The Data Protection Act.
REPORT
The site appears to follow the relevant laws as required.
Comply with laws
The site must comply with all relevant privacy laws depending on the country they are based in, e.g. The Data Protection Act.
REPORT
The site appears to follow the relevant laws as required.
CRITERIA
Hide personal information
If the site allows people to make 'profiles' with personal information on them, the option to either hide the information from all but the person's friends must be on all information which could be used to identify a child (phone number, address, full name, school attended, email address.
REPORT
Hide personal information
If the site allows people to make 'profiles' with personal information on them, the option to either hide the information from all but the person's friends must be on all information which could be used to identify a child (phone number, address, full name, school attended, email address.
REPORT
CRITERIA
Identifiable moderators/staff
Official site staff, moderators and helpers are clearly identifiable to users.
REPORT
The site uses a special symbol before a staff/moderator's name and a different coloured background on the forums, these symbols are explained clearly in several places so almost all players recognise them.
Identifiable moderators/staff
Official site staff, moderators and helpers are clearly identifiable to users.
REPORT
The site uses a special symbol before a staff/moderator's name and a different coloured background on the forums, these symbols are explained clearly in several places so almost all players recognise them.
CRITERIA
Information on issues relating to children
Site staff show awareness of issues that may arise from children using the site including how to deal with bullying, abuse and paedophiles.
REPORT
In the parent's guide section it is mentioned that the ICU team has a special group which is specially trained to handle child protection, from this we can assume they have specialist knowledge of issues related to this.
Information on issues relating to children
Site staff show awareness of issues that may arise from children using the site including how to deal with bullying, abuse and paedophiles.
REPORT
In the parent's guide section it is mentioned that the ICU team has a special group which is specially trained to handle child protection, from this we can assume they have specialist knowledge of issues related to this.
CRITERIA
Moderation, approval, filters
If the site has forums or chat rooms they must have a system of moderation which is reasonably effective in dealing with issues. Moderation may include: Live moderators, requiring moderator approval of posts, or word filters, other systems of moderation will be judged in its effectiveness before being approved.
REPORT
Runescape seems to have covered all the areas for this criteria, it has a combination of live moderators reporting abuse, a good word filter system and the forums are patrolled effectively in addition to the word filter.
Moderation, approval, filters
If the site has forums or chat rooms they must have a system of moderation which is reasonably effective in dealing with issues. Moderation may include: Live moderators, requiring moderator approval of posts, or word filters, other systems of moderation will be judged in its effectiveness before being approved.
REPORT
Runescape seems to have covered all the areas for this criteria, it has a combination of live moderators reporting abuse, a good word filter system and the forums are patrolled effectively in addition to the word filter.
CRITERIA
No adware, spyware, malware
The site must not be harmful and must not contain viruses, spyware, adware or malware.
REPORT
When investigating it using IE and FF I found no popups, suspicious downloads or any overt links to dangerous material in this manner, several people I know online have also said they've never received viruses etc. from using the site.
No adware, spyware, malware
The site must not be harmful and must not contain viruses, spyware, adware or malware.
REPORT
When investigating it using IE and FF I found no popups, suspicious downloads or any overt links to dangerous material in this manner, several people I know online have also said they've never received viruses etc. from using the site.
CRITERIA
No encouraging real life meeting
The site must not encourage children to meet in real life, regardless of circumstances.
REPORT
The site does not encourage real life meetings in any way and the word filter prevents people giving out phone numbers, email addresses etc. to prevent them from discussing this.
No encouraging real life meeting
The site must not encourage children to meet in real life, regardless of circumstances.
REPORT
The site does not encourage real life meetings in any way and the word filter prevents people giving out phone numbers, email addresses etc. to prevent them from discussing this.
CRITERIA
No harmful links/bad affiliates
The site must not have links, affiliations or activities to any sites which break the rules listed above. The site may also not be a 'sub-group' to any site that breaks the above rules.
REPORT
The website does not link to external websites in this manner, also the banner adverts it displays are on the whole acceptable for children, and in the rare cases we have seen where they are slightly dodgy Jagex has a system in place for people to report offensive adverts and there generally seems to be a prompt response. Any external websites it does link to are recognised online safety websites.
No harmful links/bad affiliates
The site must not have links, affiliations or activities to any sites which break the rules listed above. The site may also not be a 'sub-group' to any site that breaks the above rules.
REPORT
The website does not link to external websites in this manner, also the banner adverts it displays are on the whole acceptable for children, and in the rare cases we have seen where they are slightly dodgy Jagex has a system in place for people to report offensive adverts and there generally seems to be a prompt response. Any external websites it does link to are recognised online safety websites.
CRITERIA
No third party sales
The site does not sell, or give away members' information to external sites or companies without a CLEAR and easy to understand 'opt-in' system.
REPORT
The site does not sell any information to others and they have a policy of not sending emails out to players unless they receive an initial email (pereferring to use a secure internal private message system)
No third party sales
The site does not sell, or give away members' information to external sites or companies without a CLEAR and easy to understand 'opt-in' system.
REPORT
The site does not sell any information to others and they have a policy of not sending emails out to players unless they receive an initial email (pereferring to use a secure internal private message system)
CRITERIA
Privacy Policy, Terms of Use
The site rules, privacy policy and terms of use must be reasonably easy to find.
REPORT
The rules are very easy to find and are found on the main menu, and at the top of the game window, forum rules are also displayed before users enter them. The privacy policy and code of conduct is found at the bottom of the page.
Privacy Policy, Terms of Use
The site rules, privacy policy and terms of use must be reasonably easy to find.
REPORT
The rules are very easy to find and are found on the main menu, and at the top of the game window, forum rules are also displayed before users enter them. The privacy policy and code of conduct is found at the bottom of the page.
CRITERIA
Privacy protection
The site takes reasonable steps to protect the privacy of its users, and ensures that private information is not leaked or stolen.
REPORT
The site has advice to all users on how to protect themselves and the site appears to be relatively safe from hacking attempts or other methods of obtaining private information.
Privacy protection
The site takes reasonable steps to protect the privacy of its users, and ensures that private information is not leaked or stolen.
REPORT
The site has advice to all users on how to protect themselves and the site appears to be relatively safe from hacking attempts or other methods of obtaining private information.
CRITERIA
Report complaints/abuse system
There must be an easy to use complaint/abuse report system where users can report issues of rule breaking or abuse.
REPORT
All players can click on a 'report abuse' button in game which sends in reports of rule breaker's activity, the system is also quite easy to use with the button being in an obvious place and being a simple form to fill out.
Report complaints/abuse system
There must be an easy to use complaint/abuse report system where users can report issues of rule breaking or abuse.
REPORT
All players can click on a 'report abuse' button in game which sends in reports of rule breaker's activity, the system is also quite easy to use with the button being in an obvious place and being a simple form to fill out.
CRITERIA
Rules, zero tolerance
The site's staff must deal with rule breaking in an effective way and have a zero tolerance policy on child abuse, bullying and cybersex.
REPORT
From what I have seen all rules are enforced effectively by staff and moderators and the rules prohibit the above offenses.
Rules, zero tolerance
The site's staff must deal with rule breaking in an effective way and have a zero tolerance policy on child abuse, bullying and cybersex.
REPORT
From what I have seen all rules are enforced effectively by staff and moderators and the rules prohibit the above offenses.
CRITERIA
Contact forms
The site has a way for parents to contact staff with their concerns, which are dealt with effectively.
REPORT
The parent's area encourages concerned parents to contact Jagex staff through the use of a dedicated e-mail address.
Contact forms
The site has a way for parents to contact staff with their concerns, which are dealt with effectively.
REPORT
The parent's area encourages concerned parents to contact Jagex staff through the use of a dedicated e-mail address.
CRITERIA
Helpdesk/in-house help system
The site provides an in-house help system, examples of this include: a 'helpdesk' chat room, a help and support forum, a knowledge base, and dedicated email addresses for support.
REPORT
The site has a full knowledge base and a 'help forum' where people can get help from other players. There is also help available in-game from NPC guides/advisors and a reasonably good tutorial, however the tutorial does not cover all aspects of the game.
Helpdesk/in-house help system
The site provides an in-house help system, examples of this include: a 'helpdesk' chat room, a help and support forum, a knowledge base, and dedicated email addresses for support.
REPORT
The site has a full knowledge base and a 'help forum' where people can get help from other players. There is also help available in-game from NPC guides/advisors and a reasonably good tutorial, however the tutorial does not cover all aspects of the game.
CRITERIA
Ignore/block functionality
The option to ignore/block a person in chat rooms, profiles, forums etc. should be available.
REPORT
in-game players can add another player onto their ignore list which hides all public and private messages from that player. Player's can also choose to allow only people on their friend's list to contact them.
Ignore/block functionality
The option to ignore/block a person in chat rooms, profiles, forums etc. should be available.
REPORT
in-game players can add another player onto their ignore list which hides all public and private messages from that player. Player's can also choose to allow only people on their friend's list to contact them.
CRITERIA
Probationary training of new staff
New site staff/moderators have a probationary/training period where they are monitored more closely and have powers restricted before becoming full staff members/moderators.
REPORT
I could not find any specific evidence of this on the site or in-game.
Probationary training of new staff
New site staff/moderators have a probationary/training period where they are monitored more closely and have powers restricted before becoming full staff members/moderators.
REPORT
I could not find any specific evidence of this on the site or in-game.
CRITERIA
Protection from predators
There is a clear policy on dealing with predatory behaviour which includes dealing with the offender, protecting users and notifying the necessary authorities.
REPORT
Protection from predators
There is a clear policy on dealing with predatory behaviour which includes dealing with the offender, protecting users and notifying the necessary authorities.
REPORT
CRITERIA
Safety guidelines
The site provides suitable advice on safe use and how to report trouble, or links to the Privacy Commission's safety guides (with the link in a clear and easy to find place)
REPORT
The site has its own guides to safety which are easily found in the parent's section and in addition to this they have several links to online safety websites and law enforcement agencies.
Safety guidelines
The site provides suitable advice on safe use and how to report trouble, or links to the Privacy Commission's safety guides (with the link in a clear and easy to find place)
REPORT
The site has its own guides to safety which are easily found in the parent's section and in addition to this they have several links to online safety websites and law enforcement agencies.
CRITERIA
Staff awareness
The site has one or more members of staff who are fully aware of child issues online (having a staff member pass the special course coming soon automatically qualify for this)
REPORT
As mentioned earlier there is a special group within the ICU which is specifically for dealing with child privacy and protection.
Staff awareness
The site has one or more members of staff who are fully aware of child issues online (having a staff member pass the special course coming soon automatically qualify for this)
REPORT
As mentioned earlier there is a special group within the ICU which is specifically for dealing with child privacy and protection.
