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James Lee 11:01 (BST)
24/06/2008

James Lee

Trading Standards highlights online age restrictions failure

The UK's Trading Standards Institute has warned that children are illegally buying violent and adult-rated videogames through online auction sites such as Ebay.

Ninety per cent of retailers tested by the Trading Standards Institute sold adult games to children through auction websites, reports the BBC.

The Welsh Heads of Trading Standards carried out the investigation, in which six Welsh local authorities enlisted a volunteer aged between 12 and 16 who then attempted to buy age-restricted videogames over the internet.

Out of 44 attempted purchases, 38 were successful with traders carrying out the transaction. The Trading Standards Institute says online traders have to ensure they comply with the laws or could be jailed for up to six months or fined.

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