Is it okay?

[GreenVibes]

Hi,

I am a mother to a 4 year old girl and my partner has a 6 year old boy. He has bought GTA for his Christmas which I don't feel comfortable about at all. I said to my partner that I feel he is far too young for the game and he just laughed it off. He said he knows it isn't real and don't worry he won't repeat any of the bad words in front of MY daughter. The swearing isn't my only issue, it's the fact he is too young to see a lot of the content held in the game, from robbing, to fighting. He is also allowed to watch horror movies which really concerns me too. I don't know what to do, am I catastrophising or is my gut right. Thanks in advance for reading.

[WhoUsedMyName]

Wow shocked that he would let a 6 year old have it, not good at all I'm with you OP

[BellsaRinging]

Yep. It's very definitely not OK here. My oldest ds wanted it at 8/9 and some of his friends did have it, but I explained to him why he wasn't to look at it-it's really problematic on several levels and different in my opinion to war type games. I still wouldnt want him to have it, and he's 16 now!
I would be more comfortable with something like Fortnite, bit at 6 I still think that's a bit young.

[Waxonwaxoff0]

It's not OK but ultimately it's not your decision. What does the boy's mum think?

[NetballHoop]

It's rated as age 17 and over. So no, it's not suitable.

[OrigamiOwl]

GTA at 6?!
I'm not normally one who thinks video games automatically lead to violence... But GTA at 6? That far, far too young!

[WorraLiberty]

It's not ok but as long as he doesn't bring it into your home, you don't get a say in it.

How does his mum feel?

[justthecat]

Sounds like he’s bought it for himself

[WankPuffins]

@OrigamiOwl

GTA at 6?!
I'm not normally one who thinks video games automatically lead to violence... But GTA at 6? That far, far too young!

Ditto.

6 is a ludicrous age for that game.

[Xerochrysum]

Shame there's many great games that are suitable for 6 years olds. Genuine gamer parents knows what's ok and not ok for their young children.

[pantsville]

GTA V?

It has graphic sex scenes, scenes of torture, graphic violence and murder, swearing throughout including racist language. It’s not for children at all, or really anybody who doesn’t at least have a very dark sense of humour. There are definitely some small parts of the game that are ok, like racing side missions and things, but really there’s not much point in getting the game for a child as 95% of it is just completely unsuitable.

[PoptartPoptart]

I won’t even let my 14yo play that game but a 6 year old? Just why?
There are plenty of other age appropriate games for a 6 year old. What is your partner’s reasoning?
I can only imagine his teacher’s reaction as well when he starts talking about it in class too.. and the other kid’s parents.
Just not necessary and inappropriate.

[OhToBeASeahorse]

6?! That's nuts. Not unreasonable at all

[SilenceOfThePrams]

Not only is it not acceptable it could be seen as abusive. Exposing children to sexual imagery is considered to be sexual abuse.

[GreenVibes]

Thank you everyone for your comments. I voiced my concerns to my partner and on two occasions he laughed and got his back up. I was rather upset about this and this led to him rethinking his decision. He later came back to me and apologised, saying he now realises that his initial thoughts on giving it to his son were wrong and he will no longer allow him to play it. He said after he processed my concerns he was rather disgusted that he would allow his son to have the game. He did however say that he cannot stop him playing it at his mums 😭 (we are from two very different backgrounds) he said his brother play it there who are both under the age of 15. I am hoping that he is being truthful and is going ahead with his decision to withhold the game from him and that the playing of the game whilst under his mother's supervision is not just a cover up for allowing him to play it at his. I may just be catastrophising and thinking this is the case, my thought process wonders off and thinks if the wee boy slips up in conversation and says he has been playing it, could it be my partner would then say yes but only at his mums. What worries me is he said he will not be giving him the game for Christmas but boxing day he said he let him open it to save disappointment on the day but took it straight off him and hid it. I just don't know what to believe. I have a very by the book, mumsy approach with my daughter so all of this is rather shocking to me, sometimes I am made to feel like I am too old fashioned but it's the way I was brought up and I would not parent my daughter any other way and don't want her being exposed to anything she shouldn't be. Sorry I've waffled on a lot there. Thanks again

[pooopypants]

My DD is a mature 6 Yr old and we don't allow her to play GTA (DH plays sometimes), though she's sometimes allowed to 'drive the car' with the TV muted and then only for 5-10 mins


Inappropriate for this age

[Soutiner]

I can’t understand the attitude of allowing children to have age inappropriate things as they won’t have anything to look forward to when they are older.

Why not give the six year old a packet of fags as long as he doesn’t smoke in front of your daughter or a pint of beer?! It’s the same irresponsible attitude.

When my daughter was 13 my then partner, not her father, took her without my knowledge or permission to have her belly button pierced as his own daughters all had them done from the age of 12 and which he knew I did not approve of.

As a result it made my daughter at the time want to have and do more ‘grown up’ things and it caused a lot of problems.

Be careful if you do decide to become a permanent couple that you don’t end up in a similar situation that you bitterly regret as I did when there is a clash of values, morals and parenting.

[NYNY211]

You don’t sound like you are suitable together OP if you would like more children and with your partner I would run now.