Parents...what are you thinking!!!

[garrowismylaw]

Have just been reading a thread on MN about teenagers. Basically the parent was asking if 18 cert games are okay for 13 year olds. What are they thinking?
The general consensus seems to be that because this particular 18 cert game is not real life it's okay for their younger kids to have because if they don't have it they will be socially ostracised.
Certificate ratings are there for a reason, fgs. And, tbh, I have seen my 8 year old playing on some games ie Burnout and Sims, that are for his age group legally, that I find so wrong. In the Sims one that is cert 7+ he visits a nudist hotel. Hw can that be approprite for a 7 year old?
AIBU in thinking that parents should follow the guidelines re certs and also peruse the games themselves just in case?

[BaroqinAroundTheChristmasTree]

\link{http://www.bbfc.co.uk/download/guidelines/2009%20Guidelines%20Research%20-%20Public%20Opinion%20and%20the%20BBFC%20Guidelines%202009.pdf\this here} the section on games classification is quite interesting actually.

[SkyBluePearl]

There is no way I'd let my 7 year old see an 18 film - so I wouldn't let him play an 18 game either.

[BaroqinAroundTheChristmasTree]

the problem is that often the ratings don't cover it all.


HOw often do you hear people (or see on MN) people saying

"I took my DC to see X film, it was a 12/PG/U etc but actually I thought it was too much for them and shoul dhave been rated higher"

This is why I watch them play all new games they get - regardless of the age rating on them.

The age ratings are usually done by "at least" 2 examiners - using the guidelines.

Yes that's right - there could have been just 2 people using their own judgement and the guidelines to rate the DVD or game that you buy your child.

Oh and guidelines "Guidelines are the product of extensive public consultation, research and the accumulated experience of the BBFC over many years. They reflect current views on film, DVD and video game regulation."

The most recent consultation involved 8700 people....

For that reason I think that anyone that makes decision on what games or films their children play based purely on the ratings (even if they're buying a 3+ for their 7yr old) without viewing the content is rather daft.

[Kaloki]

Yes, but if you then realise it is actually unsuitable it is up to you to remove it.

[garrowismylaw]

Yes I am the parent, which is why I do not have to upset my child by removing the game he is playing on....I just go by the ratings and don't buy anything above his age cert in the first place. I thought this is what all sensible parents did?

[BertieBotts]

MrsChemist summed it up well - people assuming games are for children and not really "getting" that there is an adult market for them too.

[PhishFoodAddiction]

kaloki I see your point about cartharsis. I hadn't thought of it in the same way as films.

I don't think I explained myself very well in my ealier post. I know kids aren't playing games thinking they are real, but it's just that the graphics have moved on so much and are now much more realistic (and often graphic/gory) and I just wondered if this has an impact on impressionable kids?

I have a wii because I enjoy the more cartoony games, and DH has an Xbox because he likes the realistic ones. I still have my SNES upstairs with Mario might get it out for old times' sake!

[MrsChemist]

For anyone who doesn't know if a game is suitable, most games have trailers on YouTube, and they can give you a feel for the game and its suitability.

[mousesma]

I think the ratings are guidelines and give you a starting point to make an assessment. For example I know an 18 cerificate film is almost certainly not going to be suitable for a 7 year old but a 12 might be.

Even at cinemas they have some discretion on ratings if an adult is with the child i.e. if you take a 7 year old to a 12 rated film they won't turn you away because it's assumed you know how mature your child is (although this doesn't apply to 15 and 18 rated films so might be a weak argument :)).

[Morloth]

DS bitches if I say something is inappropriate and remove it.

Tough shit, I am the parent. He doesn't have to like it.

[Kaloki]

garrow you are the parent right? If you don't think it is suitable, take it off them. Also, the internet is easy for you to access, read reviews.

mrschemist You've got it perfectly, the games industry is huge for adults now. A lot of game designers design solely for adults. But people still think it's for kids, no idea why.

[BaroqinAroundTheChristmasTree]

actually I think it works very well. I did exactly that with the 12+ game I have totally banned. I saw him playing it, told him it was in appropriate, explained why and removed the game. End of.

[Lydwatt]

no...I think that just about sums it up nicely...along with the belief that 18 means 15 really...so 12 is ok if you look at it like that..

[MrsChemist]

Therein lies the crux of the problem. People get pissy over companies "making violent games for children" because they don't think games are for adults. 18 games are adult games, but some people automatically think games = suitable for children.

Sorry if I'm not eloquent, I'm on my phone and it's hard to type on the phone.

[MrsChemist]

I must admit, I was playing grand theft auto (the very first one) when I was about 12. My parents didn't have a clue because they don't like or understand games (or computers, it's like they try to not understand computers)

I assume a lot of parents are similar. Don't want to understand what the games are about and also think that it can't be that bad because they think games are for kids.

[garrowismylaw]

I don't think buying a child a game, watching them play then taking it off them if something innapropriate occurs works well. They will say you are being unfair after they have started playing it and you've probably just wasted £30 .
Also if some parents think kids mature at diffent ages what is point in having certificates on stuff at all?Surely it's there for a reason.

[BelleDeChocChipCookieMonster]

Ds's friend was playing call of duty or something equallyas horrific last time I took ds over to play. His mum was in the kitchen so had no idea what he was playing until I pointed it out to her

[Lydwatt]

I'm sure its not difficult to do but I just don't think all parents are that responsible...

[classydiva]

My 13 year olds had 18+ games. I think it is an individual thing, some children are more mature than others. Only parents can determine the effects.

[BaroqinAroundTheChristmasTree]

it happens in this house. It's really not difficult to do

[Lydwatt]

...yeah, like that's going to happen!!!

[mousesma]

I think its up to parents to assess what or isn't appropriate for their children to view or play.

In some circumstances it is OK for a 13 year old to play an 18 year old game. Children mature at different rates and not all 18 games are created equal.

I think if a parent has already viewed the content or they will be present when the game is played to turn it off if it becomes inappropriate then there isn't a problem.

[MrsChemist]

console sims games are rubbish anyway.

RockinRobin, I do that too although the ghosts of drowned sims leave puddles everywhere, and it's a PITA to clean up.

OP YANBU, knowing the content of Black Ops, i wouldn't let a 13 yr old play it, however, I'd prefer to play a game myself to ascertain its suitability for DS (when he's older) instead if blindly going off the certificate.

Mind you, I'm a gamer, so I enjoy playing games. Road testing them before DS plays wouldn't a chore.

[RockinRobinBird]

I thought I was the only one who drowned their Sims in the pool...

[Lydwatt]

it was tour of duty or some sort of shoot and kill thing..an 18