to wonder why youd have COD black ops for kids way under 18?

[bettymoody]

or is it really not that bad?

maryz you are not alone
ds was watching 15 films at a friends house when they were all 11/12 I was livid....
I don't understand the need....

There is no need at all. Also "all the other kids have it" is a crap excuse from kids, worse from parents. Drives me nuts when parents buy their children 18 rated games then moan about the violence affecting them. It's not the game designers fault some people don't pay attention.

"My 9 year old watched Exorsist years ago. Didn't scare him."

This is exactly what is worrying Diva. I am not shocked at children playing these games (or watching horror movies) because it might scare them because if it does that is a good thing. I am worried because if it does not scare them they carry on with it and it makes violence( Exorcist a different issue)NORMAL and this is exactly what I object to.

"My 9 year old watched Exorsist years ago. Didn't scare him."

Errrr....well done?

What response do you expect? I would be concerned that such a small child was not in any way bothered by a scary film.

It's not a badge of honour. Is it? Are you proud?

My 5 YO DD had been playing COD type games for at least 18m doesn'r seem to have done her any harm.

Don't you think though that most children can differentiate between real violence and cartoon/video game violence ?

why would you do that princessparty? ( aghast)

I think that princess Party must just be putting her wooden spoon in tbh. If she IS telling the truth, then yes, aghast indeed.

I hate the idea of desensitising small children to violence. By letting them see it and be involved is letting them think it is the norm. Children take a long time to develop real empathy.

DSD announced she watched Twilight, she's 6! Wht show her it? Her fave film here is a crappo cartoon of Thumbelina. She doesn't NEED Twilight, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter. Let kids be kids.

As a teacher I am often shocked to hear conversations where pupils talk about having access to age-inappropriate material - a Y7 who loves the Saw films, for example. It could be a complete coincidence, but that it is pretty much always under-achieving, poorly-behaved boys who are having these discussions has definitely made me wonder if there is a connection; if not between the content and their behaviour, then the style of parenting which allows it.

That is not to say that there aren't perfectly wonderful children with brilliant parents out there who access this material, it is merely my individual observation.

I suspect princessparty is talking out of a different orifice. I doubt a 5 year old could play COD type games.

Games, like films, like booze, like fags are deemed suitable for certain age groups for well-meant reasons. If kid are getting hold of them it's entirely due to the parents, as shops (in the main) won't dare sell to anyone who even looks near to the limit; it's just not worth it.

agree

My daughter was on the phone to a friend today and i quote ' but you are 15 - you are not a child' I chipped in - laws deem people as such for a reason!

Noblegiraffe makes a vERY inetresting point "As a teacher I am often shocked to hear conversations where pupils talk about having access to age-inappropriate material - a Y7 who loves the Saw films, for example. It could be a complete coincidence, but that it is pretty much always under-achieving, poorly-behaved boys who are having these discussions has definitely made me wonder if there is a connection; if not between the content and their behaviour, then the style of parenting which allows it.

That is not to say that there aren't perfectly wonderful children with brilliant parents out there who access this material, it is merely my individual observation."

Someone please advise 'though. ALL 14 boys in my 11 yr old son's class have COD Black Ops which is pretty violent looking & unsuitable as far as I can see (rated 18). My dilema is that I either buckle to my son's demands & allow him access to awful material or I alienate him & make him miserable in that way....

To be fair DD2 has 2 teenage brothers so she would be watching it even if she wasn't playing it. It isn't the latest COD Black ops game we have but COD 3,4,5 and 6.She does play them with her brothers but i don't know how well.

PP - I'm sorry but I remain open-mouthed at the idea that you let your boys play these games whilst your five year old is watching.

LinedUp - whatever he says, he really won't be the only boy who hasn't got it and he will not self-combust, grow a 2nd head or be a social outcast if he doesn't have it. It will give him a reason to moan about his parents to his friend - and all teenagers love a reason to moan! Stand your ground and be proud of doing so! :)

Having seen the influence such things have on a daily basis in the classroom there is no way my teenager is having 18 rated things until he is older/wiser and mature enough not to be influenced by them....probably when he's 18 I would say. Certs are there for a reason and people who think they have no influence are either naive, misguided or maybe just seeing what they want to see. Why do you want to make fun of and trivialise death, horror and destruction anyway?

LinedUp ..... interestingly some people in my Y9 class were having this discussion today and many didn't have it - and yes they enjoyed the moan but their friends with it didn't treat them any differently.

"...every time you line Bobby Kotick s pocket a independent developer dies, do you want that? do you want a world of COD and Guitar Hero 764, instead of Deadly Premonitions, No More Heroes and ICO well do you?..."

ROFL

Don't personally care whether independent or non-independent developers die.

I do care that other parents buy this stuff because it creates an environment where it is acceptable and desirable to have these games. This affects my children - who are 10 & 12 and in no way ready to play this sort of rubbish.

Did you know that the black ops is all about trying to assassinate Fidel Castro? Charming, absolutely charming.

Princessparty - i am even more astounded that you wonder how 'good' your dd is at it

My boys have survived not having any games things or mobile phones - they are still popular

Im not going to make much comment but I am wary of letting pre-teens play Black Ops (and that is even with the fact that my name is in the credits.)

However : really interesting website linked about the effect of Video Game Violence on Children...
www.grandtheftchildhood.com/GTC/Home.html

Christ.

Am utterly astounded at the person who says above (re raping in GTA) - 'no, you cannot rape anyone, you can use a prostitute and you go in the car and see it shaking, and then you can shoot her afterwards, but you can shoot any character in the film'

Oh that's all fucking right then

What a crock of shit. Kids should not playt hese games when they are underage - my stepson (who is an adult) plays shoot 'em up games and the violence in them is astonishing.

DD is 15 next birthday and still not allowed it. She is still alive.