Three festive favourites that carry age restrictions

Three festive favourites that carry age restrictions when purchasing

With Christmas just around the corner, digital identity specialists, ID Crypt Global, reveal that there are a number of festive items that parents rarely realise are strictly age-restricted at the point of sale.

Christmas can be a frantic time of the year and in the rush to get everything in place ahead of the big day, it’s understandable that some of us may accidentally purchase age restricted items for minors without even realising.

18+
Everyone knows that it’s illegal for under-18s to buy alcohol or cigarettes and that any vendors who sell such items to minors without due care face criminal prosecution, but less people know that one hugely popular Christmas gift is also strictly age-restricted.

Scratch cards are a popular stocking filler due to the fact that the recipient is in with a chance of winning a substantial amount of cash, while those gifting them can get away with spending very little.

However, scratch cards cannot be purchased by under-18s, even if their intention is to gift the card to an over-18.

Furthermore, if you receive a scratch card as a Christmas gift and it turns out to be a winner, the prize cannot be claimed if the card was purchased by an under-18 as stated in Camelot’s strict age-related terms and conditions.

16+
It’s Christmas Eve and you’re planning the table setting for tomorrow’s Christmas dinner when you realise you’ve forgotten the all-important party poppers! You might consider sending the kids on a mission to pick some up, but if they’re under-16, they won’t be able to.

The seemingly innocent festive favourite can actually be quite dangerous if mis-used. As such, it’s illegal for under-16s to buy them.

12+
Even more surprising than the age restriction placed on party poppers is that placed on another festive favourite, Christmas crackers, which cannot be purchased by anyone under the age of 12. Despite containing the most benign explosion imaginable, the famous cracking sound is produced by real gunpowder, hence the age restriction.

Many children and grownups alike will be hoping to receive the latest video games on Christmas morning. Today, more so than ever before, lots of games have strict age-restrictions attached to them due to violence, sexual content, or strong language.

One of the most common age-restrictions for games is PEGI 12. This means it cannot be purchased by anyone under 12 years old. However, the rules only apply to the purchase of the game. It is not illegal for an under-12 to play the game if their parents or guardians allow them to do so.

CEO and Founder of ID Crypt Global, Lauren Wilson-Smith, commented:

“It’s easy to view some of the age restrictions placed on seemingly innocent items as silly or needless and this can often lead to vendors taking a lenient attitude towards selling things like party poppers and Christmas crackers to kids.

It’s really important, however, that retailers follow the letter of law and avoid any risks. Not only will they leave themselves open to fines and legal action, but there’s also the chance that an illegal sale could result in an accident or tragedy.

For parents, it’s good to know what your kids can and cannot buy from the shops and, once the item has been legally purchased, it’s a case of common sense when supervising their use.

While it’s legal for young kids to use these items, there is always a small element of risk which requires you to keep a careful eye on what can often be very over-excited children.”