A leading New Zealand official has said that parents who allow their kids access to mature games should face prosecution – and possibly a spell in jail.

Current New Zealand law allows for the prosecution of parents who do not prevent their children accessing media rated above their age, with fines of NZ$10,000 or three months imprisonment legally permissible.

“They might think the offence is silly, but it ain't,” Government censor Bill Hastings stated, according to GamePolitics. “That's what the law says, but you're not going to have police officers in every bedroom.

“There would certainly be some shock value to prosecuting a parent who gives their under-18 child access to a restricted game. It would send out a message that the enforcement agency means business.

“Parents need to get up to speed on the digital divide. They need to look at what their kids are playing and doing. It should be the pleasure in being able to sleep at night knowing that you have done the right thing by your kids. That should be the motivating factor.”