Grand Theft Auto!!!

[trottingon]

Are we the only parents who refuse to allow our Year 9 DS to buy Grand Theft Auto? I have read about, reviewed it and it just appears pretty damn awful!! There is rape and torture in it as well as violence and swearing. It is rated as an 18 game and understandably so. Why are parents allowing their children access to this?

I know DS is playing this at friends' houses which is difficult to control. The arguments and strops this is causing is way out of proportion! I just don't understand how these games create such a hold! I really feel the pressure and I am starting to believe that we are the only parents who disallow this game. What are your opinions?

[gamerchick]

I had the same and stood firm. A threat of taking the dammed X box away altogether shut him up.

[Claybury]

Hate those damn games. Sadly you may not stop him playing at other peoples houses

Stand strong !!

[trottingon]

Thanks GC, will definitely do that!!

[flow4]

You're not alone: my DS2 is year 9 and isn't allowed GTA either. :)

[Travelledtheworld]

My DS 13 knows better than to ask for it, though many of his classmates have it. He rarely goes to other peoples houses.

[CiderwithBuda]

It's an 18, you are 12
It's an 18' you are 12
It's an 18' you are 12
And on and on
Ask me once more and I will remove the playstation.

Our house at least twice a week.

[JumpingJackSprat]

I've got it. No way would I allow a 13 year old to play it. It's basically all very strong swearing. Is Not possible to play the game and avoid the swearing and killing. I might consider letting a sensible 16yo play it but definitely no younger.

[zippey]

I love this fantastic game. But its 18 for a reason.

I like the idea of threatening to take the x-box away if he keeps mentioning it though. Maybe speak to him again and say if he mentions it again you will take his X-box away for a day. Then it will be 2 days. Another mention, 4 days etc. He will soon learn!

[trottingon]

It's so good to get such balanced feedback...thank you. We are quite strong on discipline in general but I am feeling weary with the constant comparisons to what other children have... I will use these strategies and stay strong thanks to the boost from all of you!! cheers

[NandH]

That game is banned from this house too. I don't have a teenager, but my young brother brought it over to play with P..... it didn't happen!

Absolutely no way will I have a game where a 'mission' involves drugging, killing then raping a woman.


Sick game.

[flow4]

My standard responses to "Other mums let their kids do X" are "But you don't have another mum, you have me", or "Well, see if you can find another mum to live with, but meanwhile..."

[cory]

It does not enter this house. End of story.

[mindgone]

DS really wants it for Christmas, I am dead against it, but.... He is 18! He can buy it for himself. I have told him that I don't want it in our house, but can't really stop him, as he has the right to buy it, unfortunately. Any helpful advice? One other DS aged 16.

[trottingon]

I suppose that's the only thing you can say is...'this is my house and these are my rules and in addition, I don't want your younger brother to have access to it!!'
I must admit reading all the blogs above has got me back on track!! Good luck...

[mindgone]

Thanks.

[Hugglepuff]

My DS is 13. He knows he's not having it, nor is it ever coming into the house ! Can't stop him playing it at friends house but I have asked him not to

[honeybeeridiculous]

DS is 16 and has recently bought it, I've told him I don't want to hear it, (he plays it in the lounge) and if granny comes round it goes straight off! He's a sensible boy so I put up with it but TBH he plays more on FIFA 14, I refuse to pay for x box live so once he's completed the game he's bored with it

[Merguez]

Nope.

Very firm line drawn in this house.

[LalyRawr]

I play it (when DD is sleeping or out!) no way would I let anyone under the age of 16 have it.

BIL bought it for his 12yo son, I was v cats bum face and informed OH that when ours is older, she is in no way playing games like that until she is at least 16, maybe 18 depending on her maturity etc.

[chocolate140]

I let my dd (14) play it, she's very responsible and does great in school, I bought it for her and she's made up for it by doing LOTS of dog walking and cleaning

[CiderwithBuda]

Chocolate - do you know what is in it? Apparently a scene of necrophilia and a scene of attempted anal rape with a baseball bat. I wouldn't want my dd seeing that.

Disclaimer - I have never seen any of it but that is what I have been told.

[chocolate140]

I am aware of what's in it and I am in the room when she plays it, her older brother also has the game and they play it together when he is home from uni. I feel that she is mature enough to handle it

[CiderwithBuda]

Oh. Ok then.

[CiderwithBuda]

Really?