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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not let 13 year old play 18 games eg COD, GTA

34 replies

rowaboat · 21/02/2012 18:41

have been refusing up to now, but ALL his friends are allowed to and he's feeling like the odd one out. Feel sorry for him, he's a bit upset and trying to fit in with the crowd etc. Anyone else given in?

OP posts:
StrandedBear · 21/02/2012 18:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sparklingbrook · 21/02/2012 18:46

We let DS1 (12) play COD and as far as I can tell all of his friends do too. He hasn't played GTA.

And this will kick off

McHappyPants2012 · 21/02/2012 18:47

You are the parent, no means no.

Now me and my nephew aged 11 play cod, gta and other games, but that's with my sister permission.

I bet there was things your friends was allow to do things you wasn't and vide versa.

ilovebabytv · 21/02/2012 18:50

YANBU, your child, your rules. But if this is a sly dig at other parents though who do let their kids play these games then YABU.

Original poster
rowaboat · 21/02/2012 18:59

Not a sly dig at all, just feeling under pressure. Don't play anything myself so I've no idea how bad they really are. He got a 15 cert game for Christmas, but is wanting to buy a new game now and all the ones he'd like to buy are 18. Plus the fitting in thing, peer pressure I know, think it's coming all the way home to me! On the verge of giving in if it means he's happier at school as he has something in common with his mates, then again would rather he had another hobby in common with school mates, not just tv, games. We don't have sky and he's upstair 9-9.30ish so he think's I'm very mean!

OP posts:
FabbyChic · 21/02/2012 19:08

At 13 Id say he is old enough, if he can watch the news he can play them.

Ive two boys who played at that age, they are now 24 and 18 they came to no harm either.

ilovebabytv · 21/02/2012 19:09

Its a toughie. On one hand you want your child to fit in with his peers and not be the odd one left out but if it that doesnt fit in with your ideals your stuck between a rock and a hard place.

squeakytoy · 21/02/2012 19:11

if you want to see what they are like, let him borrow a copy and play it while you are there and THEN make a decision.

Personally I wouldnt have any issue with a teenager playing, as it is highly unlikely it will make them go and get a real gun and act it out for real life..

ChaoticAngel · 21/02/2012 19:12

Do you know for certain that his friends all play these games or is that what he says?

Sparklingbrook · 21/02/2012 19:26

I think it is the norm between DS and his friends. They play each other online and wear the daft headsets. It is always played downstairs in the living room though. No PS3 in bedrooms.

WhereYouLeftIt · 21/02/2012 19:37

I also have a DS of 13, this is a regular battle for us. When he whines claims all his friends have it, I just say I don't care he's still not getting it. I have allowed a couple of 15 games, but only after he borrowed them and played them in front of me for a bit so that I could assess them. But I won't even entertain 18 games, it's a blanket ban.

Mrsrobertduvall · 21/02/2012 19:40

I had this at Xmas from ds nearly 13.
When quizzed more closely, none of his friends ie those he hangs out with, actually have it ..it's other boys.
I did buy him the COD poster so he wouldn't be left out. Smile
his birthday is next month but we have had no requests for it so far.
He might get another poster.

Sparklingbrook · 21/02/2012 19:43

The other thing I should add is that he actually prefers to play FIFA 12 out of any of the games he owns anyway.

JasperJohns · 21/02/2012 19:46

I have a 13 yr old.

Lots of his friends play COD and other 18 cert games.

I have no problem whatsoever not giving in to peer pressure. Our rules and he's OK with it.

jubilee10 · 21/02/2012 19:50

Ds1 will be 17 this year and ds2 will be 15 and I started allowing them 18 games at Christmas.

DaffodilsAhoy · 21/02/2012 19:51

If you think that's bad. I know a 5yr old whose mother lets him play it Hmm Hmm Hmm

DaffodilsAhoy · 21/02/2012 19:53

That was supposed to be ... in the middle Blush

GnomeDePlume · 21/02/2012 19:59

My DS is 13, he is allowed to play games up to 16 as IMO there is a huge leap in terms of content between 16 & 18. This rule means that my DS is free to play:

  • Battlefield 3
  • Halo
  • Assasins Creed

Both he and I are happy with this compromise and dont feel that he is left the odd one out amongst his friends.

BertieBotts · 21/02/2012 20:06

YANBU at all. The ratings exist for a reason.

TeddyBare · 21/02/2012 20:13

YANBU. Those games are unsuitable for dc so I think you're right to not let him play them.

Original poster
rowaboat · 21/02/2012 20:56

thanks for your opinions, just one of those things i have to decide for myself at the end of the day, but i'm hopeless at making decisions! perhaps my son is picking up on that and giving it one more push, think i'll suggest some of the other 15/16 games again. think i'll be happier if i stick to my guns with the 18 games for now.

OP posts:
exaspomum · 22/02/2012 14:48

You're definitely not being unreasonable. I too have a blanket ban on 18 rated games for my almost 13Y DS and he's not allowed to have a facebook account until he's 13 either.

sozzledchops · 22/02/2012 14:52

YABU, dontcha know that they all start at about 7 yrs and up these days, your poor son!

imnotmymum · 22/02/2012 14:53

Probably by banning it make it more a issue than it is the games not so bad depending on how you look at it -what films does he watch etc. When he played them probably not bother and play the next big thing when ss comes home for Summer my 8 year old looks in awe and plays COD with him but never bothers when gone. It is only pretend.

betterwhenthesunshines · 22/02/2012 14:57

Let him buy it - but he must accept that once he's spent his money on it, if you then see it and decide it's not suitable then you will keep it until he's old enough (and he doesn't get his money back). That might make him consider whether he really does want it enough to risk losing his money.

(My neighbour's boy is 13 and I think he plays COD etc but not GTA)

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