Young children watching adults play games

[Lara2]

I'm prepared to be flamed but this is something that really gets to me. I teach Reception and on a regular basis over the last few years, most noticeably 3 times this week with 3 different children, I have found myself saying "If you're too little to play the game, you're too little to watch". These are 4 year olds who watch their parents play things like Assassin's Creed, Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto etc. What the hell goes through parents' heads? These games have ratings for a reason - would they let them watch an 18 rated movie ( no, don't answer that!)? It does frustrate and upset me that I often have to pick up the pieces at work in the form of inappropriate play/behaviour or distressed children. I do mention it to parents but usually get brushed off with a casual comment and a look that clearly says that I should be minding my own business! But if I don't say anything, who will? I am very careful how I approach the subject, and certainly do it professionally and non-judgementally. AIBU?

[annie11]

Agreed, just don't understand how some people think it's ok...

A friend and her bf have been playing violent computer games and watching anime WITH their baby daughter pretty much from birth. Actually posing pictures of her on Facebook " aww dd watching wrestling with daddy, how cute! "

Oh and our sort of nephew ( husband's step bother's son) is allowed to play CoD. He's 10

Turns my stomach

[Lara2]

diddl, it is my business - I teach these children and if a parent won't protect them then it's up to me to do it. If that means saying "No, you really shouldn't do that" to a child then so be it.
I did refer to our CP person at school,so it's not just me being an unreasonable teacher.

[Hobbitation]

YANBU

[WorriedMummy73]

We're a bit of a computer game family! Myself and two eldest (11 and 8) love our Nintendo DS's and we also have a Wii. DP prefers more 'adult' games so we got him a PS3 for Christmas (2011), but it's now upstairs in our bedroom as I wasn't happy about the kids watching him playing CoD. Having said that, ds (8) recently casually mentioned the games he's been playing with his cousin (12) up the road - including Mortal Kombat, the most violent, 18-rated, fighting game I've ever seen. He is now NOT allowed to go in his cousin's house, but what are his cousin's Mum and SD (who, admittedly, is an absolute arse) thinking, letting a 12 year old play this type of game?

Also, it's Internet Awareness Week so school's are meant to be promoting this type of stupid behaviour, although a girl in DDs class was overheard saying to her friend in Assembly today 'they'd better not think they're getting me off Facebook' - she's 11...

[diddl]

I don´t think anyone thinks that YABU for thinking that such young children shouldn´t be "exposed" to these things.

It´s the assumption that it is within their control or they are choosing to do it.

Maybe they do?

But it´s a big ask for a 4yr old to police themselves!

[pigletpower]

diddl- I have seen your posts before and you don't strike me as naive or stupid. Of course a teacher is not expecting a young child to police themselves! But by not mentioning that it is not ok for young people to view violence then they are failing in their duty of care. I am a teacher and if I found myself in the same position as the OP, I would have reacted in the same way and also informed my CP collegue.To cover my own back if something more serious happened with the child and to protect the child themselves.

[GogoGobo]

Diddl, I just don't see your point! Do you want teachers to just stick to maths and English or actually play a decent role in a child's life? The OP isn't telling the child off, she is introducing an alternative viewpoint and there is a chance the child could say "MrsLara2 says we aren't allowed to watch this is we can't play it " and make the parents think!

[Lara2]

I'm not daft enough to expect a 4 year old to police themselves! But a responsible adult clearly has to say something in those circumstances - how else is a child going to learn what's ok or not?

[diddl]

I suppose I´m just thinking that parents who let their children see this sort of thing won´t take any notice if the child says "I don´t want to see this" and I have visions of them getting into trouble!

Obviously I don´t know them or the parents so am more than likely projecting.

Of course OP is better to say something rather than nothing in the hope that it will stop-and hopefully if necessary, then others are also being informed.

It´s a shame that anything has to be said to the children though-it should be enough to tell the adults.

[diddl]

I think that´s it-it comes across as children being blamed for something that is the parents fault.

I´m sure that that is just my reading of the wording of the OP.

[Ilovexmastime]

YANBU. Why on earth would anyone think that it's ok for their kids to watch something so violent? I really don't get it.

[pollypandemonium]

It's neglect which is a form of child abuse.