Editor's Note: RuneScape is arguably the biggest MMORPG in the world, with more than nine million players. The Java-based game is free and the vast majority of its subscriber base is under the age of 18. But is the world of online gaming appropriate for children? Contributing writer Charles Kozierok examines the world of RuneScape to find the answer. The following editorial is the opinion of the author and does not reflect the views or opinions of Tom's Hardware Guide UK & Ireland and TG Publishing.

Jagex's MMORPG Runescape boasts 9 million subscribers.

The owners of RuneScape, Jagex Limited, portray the popular massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) as a fun pastime for gamers - more than that, they claim that it is "educational." It does have some positive learning aspects, but players also get a broad education in the negative aspects of online gaming, including cheating, scamming, lying, taunting, bullying, gambling and addiction.

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Sure, some of these activities happen to one extent or another in all online games. But RuneScape is child-oriented, with some players as young as five online. The reputation of the game is that it is safe for kids, but they are in fact exposed to all sorts of very negative influences without them, or their parents, realizing it. So what are our children learning on RuneScape? And what is Jagex doing - or not doing - about it?

In the first part of this two-part series, I take a look at the game and describe what its community is really like. Starting with a brief overview of RuneScape, I concentrate mainly on discussing what players experience, the many dangers for children who play and the impact that this can have on young minds. I write as both an avid player and the parent of two children who play - and as one of many active, involved adults who has tried to little avail to get Jagex to clean RuneScape up.

I realize that some might wonder what the big deal is. After all, it's just a game, isn't it? Well, no, it isn't: players of online games invest many hours of time and energy and they take them very seriously. Consider that football is also "just a game", but fans can get so passionate about them that violence results, despite only watching games on TV. Here, the gamers are actually immersed in the environment, and most are young and impressionable.

I've seen first-hand the impact on children who have been betrayed, cheated, verbally abused or killed by another player - the negative consequences can have a lasting impact. Players and parents of players alike need to take these issues seriously.

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