To not want my 9yo playing 18-rated games?

There are plenty of games suitable for 9 year olds, GTA & COD are definitely not ok.

YANBU not to want your son playing 18 rated games. What his friend’s mum allows her son to play is up to her, but she should absolutely not be letting other people’s children play 18 rated games at her house unless the parents are OK with that.

When I was 13-14ish (not 9, obviously!) I was allowed to watch 18+ horror films at home. I wasn’t allowed to have my friends over to watch them unless my mum had checked with their parents first, though. People can make those decisions for their own kids but not other people’s!

I wouldn’t be allowing my child in that house, I think I’m quite liberal, but I absolutely do not let my 13 year old play 18 rated games, let alone a 9 year old. It’s hard, because at 9 they don’t really understand the why, but I would sit him down and explain that there’s a good reason for age ratings and he’s just too young.

The parents are not cool. They are lazy.

There is a child on our street who dd was very friendly with when she was 8.

dd was coming home talking about all sorts of stuff on this kids iPad etc.

i looked up what dd was talking about, all 15+ stuff.

i cut the contact there and then. It caused a very uncomfortable conflict with the parents who thought i was too over protective but they were just shit parents.

I played the original gta at age 9 which seems tame by comparison to todays. My parents (and my friends) had no clue we were sneaking down in the middle of the night to play them. On reflection the content was way too mature but the sexually mature bits were narrative, not interactive. Running people over was encouraged though and doing crime. I wouldn’t be happy with a 9 year old playing it because it introduces prostitution etc without the context of a mature mind. It must be even worse now. I want to protect my children as long as possible and that would mean not letting them go to friends houses where they could be exposed to games like that. Also the dopamine reinforcing structures of the games (seriously read up on this) mean you’re letting them be hooked on sex and violence for thrills before puberty. That’s not good parenting by any stretch.

How old are you now?

The original gta was also an 18... With top down 2d 256 —colour graphics and no detail. You could run people over, or shoot them.

There's no comparison to modern games like saints row where you can beat someone to death in high resolution 3d with a giant purple dildo on a truncheon called 'the penetrator' while dropping f-bombs every 15 seconds.

Unless you’re only around 18 now, the versions of GTA you were playing would not have contained realistic depictions of topless women lap dancing.

I’m a gamer and, as a child, also played 18 rated games. I don’t think shooting games, like COD, necessarily need to be 18s but modern GTA games do contain softcore porn.

If you wouldn’t let your child watch softcore porn, you shouldn’t be letting them play GTA.

Yanbu. If I knew a 9 yo was playing those games at work I'd be reporting it as a safeguarding concern.

Next time the friend is at yours try giving them some porn to take back home and see how their parents react.......

It's 18 rated for a reason and the interactivity makes it more psychologically influencing than film, or other media.

No from me too. From I’ve heard I wouldn’t even like my DH playing GTA. I don’t think this is “cool” at all. I think it’s a form of neglect to let your kids access content that is inappropriate for their age. Their brains are still developing, they can’t handle this type of violent content.

I think your instincts are telling you your 9 year old should not be exposed to these things. Please be a good parent and protect your child.

fair point but then id be unlikely on mumsnet

And? For all we know, you could be an axe murderer!

OP, YANBU.

She is a nob. Don’t allow your son over there.

its upto you op, but at 11-12 i was gta, metal gear solid series, various films etc

YANBU - they are violent games especially GTA where your character can attack female prostitutes. Not suitable at all.

I am relaxed about some age inappropriate films, off colour humour etc for my ten year old.

But he wouldn't be allowed near COD or GTA. They are busy playing FIFA, motor racing and primarily Minecraft.

My child would not be going to that house again.
And they aren't 'cool' they are awful.

Call of duty is not a game I would argue over at that age, truthfully it should probably be a 12. GTA is banned in our house, the originals were boarder line but the latest just go to far

Absolutely not, I'd be putting a halt to him visiting his house. I wouldn't trust my son somewhere where they have so little concern for their kids and what they're being exposed to.

And they wonder why children go off the rails, give me strength

The website common sense media is a good source to check out games you’re not sure about. Gives sensible reviews and age suggestions.

my child would not be returning to their house :)