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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not let Grand Theft Auto 5 into the house?

82 replies

wigglybeezer · 10/09/2013 20:09

DS1 thinks I am being monumentally unreasonable banning him from playing GTA until after his exams next summer. EVERYBODY else at school is allowed to apparently, but then maybe they do not have the attention span of a gnat and the will power of a wet flannel like DS1.

I think it is simpler to say no outright than have to nag him to revise every weekend.

He claims he is going to punish us by being in a foul huff for the next nine months.

Sigh...potty training was a breeze compared to wrangling teenagers.

OP posts:
GhostsInSnow · 10/09/2013 20:11

Is it a battle really worth having? Is it not better to limit access to it in exchange for study?
Personally I think YABU but DD does study as well as game so I guess it depends on the individual child.

Original poster
wigglybeezer · 10/09/2013 20:22

He has not got a good track record on striking a balance. At the moment he is only allowed to play at weekends and we struggle to get him to do anything else. He has a tendency to get a bit obsessive.

OP posts:
Original poster
wigglybeezer · 10/09/2013 20:25

The trouble with multiplayer online games is that you can't stop playing because your mum says time is up without leaving friends you are playing with in the lurch, do that too often and people refuse to play with you, sent to virtual Coventry.

OP posts:
BuntyCollocks · 10/09/2013 20:30

GTA5 is primarily one player, with the option of a multiplayer - main storyline is not mmorpg.

I think YABU. Give him the chance to prove you wrong.

GhostsInSnow · 10/09/2013 20:32

Thats probably where our kids differ. DD isn't the sociable type, even with gaming so doesn't go online. I guess its easier for her to turn off and crack on with it.
My general rule is home, changed, homework/revision then she can play for an hour or two.

I know when I was a teen we didn't have this kind of stuff, but making me sit and revise by limiting my access to distractions wouldn't have worked with me. Being told to revise for set times tended to mean whatever I'd read certainly didn't sink in. The best of my revision was always done the week before the exam. I got 12 GCSE's so it worked for me.

This school year is a really hard one for year 11's with a lot of pressure, I just think that something they can turn on and play for an hour thats a bit of stress relief isn't necessarily such a bad thing.

Gossipmonster · 10/09/2013 20:35

DS1 is 16 on Thurs. he has not been allowed to play 18 games so far - he thinks I will make him wait until he's 18.

I have got him COD for his bday and a couple of others. There is no way I would let GTA in my house - ever if I have my way.

Original poster
wigglybeezer · 10/09/2013 21:19

He will be allowed to play his existing games, but GTA is huge and will take forever to play, ( not to mention the dubious content ).

I thought more people would agree with me...

OP posts:
Original poster
wigglybeezer · 10/09/2013 21:22

Bunty, he has a PC so will have to wait for the PC version anyway, hoping they take ages to bring it out.

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 10/09/2013 21:22

How old is he?

colourmehappytheresasofainhere · 10/09/2013 21:44

I agree with you...

Beaverfeaver · 10/09/2013 21:44

I can't wait for gta5.
I don't think I will have time to play it though.

applebread · 10/09/2013 21:45

Yanbu. Computer games are like crack for some kids mine included.

ILetHimKeep20Quid · 10/09/2013 21:48

You do what you have to do, pick your battles etc etc...

But can I just say, I can't freaking wait!

kali110 · 10/09/2013 21:50

He cant be over 18 which is the age for gta. Im suprised how many parents let their teenagers play this

wannabestressfree · 10/09/2013 21:56

At least you haven't had to pre order THREE copies of FIFA 14..... My teenagers had a full on punch up when one changed the others career/ manager mode to accrington Stanley and sold all his players (sigh)

MurderOfGoths · 10/09/2013 21:57

YANBU Just the cert is enough to mean it's worth saying no.

MyBaby1day · 11/09/2013 01:43

YABU, my buddy is getting this for his Birthday next week and it looks a cool game, let him play it, time/life is too short.

wannaBe · 11/09/2013 02:50

a cool game? where the object is to go round murdering, robbing, inflicting all other forms of violence in order to achieve your aim (wtf ever that might be)m, where you gain energy by picking up prostitutes on the street for a shag and coming back revived... Tbh I was horrified to see it advertised on ITV earlier before the watershed.

Yeah, cool game that.

My ds is only ten (almost eleven) but he will be playing games like that in my house over my dead body, whether he's eighteen or not.

Zazzles007 · 11/09/2013 05:42

I'm with wannBe on this one - the prostitute thing alone makes me not want to play the game, and I am an avid PS3 fan. I have GTA4 and I've never gotten beyond the beginning of the game, because really, it is saying that the antisocial behaviour that wannaBe described is acceptable. And unless your teen is very mature then he needs to be over 18 to play the game. However given that that the OP's teen gets a bit 'obesessed' with games, I would say that he is not mature enough to handle the content or his responsibilities in relation to the games and his studies.

isitsnowingyet · 11/09/2013 06:00

wiggly you are being very reasonable. Let him huff. Sadly for him the school work has to come first.

NandH · 11/09/2013 06:25

I wouldn't allow it either, just on the basis that you can drug,kill then shag a woman on it! ... this is information dp came home from work with.

TantrumsAndBalloons · 11/09/2013 06:34

Tbh, I wouldn't have GTA in my house anyway, although ds1 thinks he should be allowed to play it.

The prostitute thing is abhorrent. And the beginning of one of the games has a man taking lines of coke in his office, so no.

I agree with the principle of what you are saying though.

Ds1 plays fifa online and we have had to enforce a no weekday rule as well, otherwise nothing at all gets done.

valiumredhead · 11/09/2013 07:09

I agree with wannabe, it's a vile game.

GalaxyDefender · 11/09/2013 07:55

Oh dear. If anyone even so much as mentions GTA the pearl-clutchers come out in force.
Yes, the series is excessively violent and gritty - it is both a reflection of and partially a parody of things that actually happen. (Though Saints Row is better as parody!)
But that's why it's an 18 - so that only people who can distinguish that antisocial behaviour in the game is unacceptable in real life can buy the damn thing. They're pretty crap as games tbh but people like sandboxes so they're really popular.

Back on topic, OP YANBU. Partially because it'll be just as crap as GTAIV, but also because your DS can't stop himself once he starts playing. It's very easy to lose time!
BUT from now until July next year is a long time. Maybe let him have it, but only at weekends and only for a few hours at a time? Very few kids need to start revising in September, to be fair, as they'll have forgotten the lot by exam time!

TantrumsAndBalloons · 11/09/2013 08:00

It's not pearl clutching galaxy

I decide what comes into my house. And GTA will never be here.

And that's because I do not actually like the idea of a game which features prostitures and cocaine, amongst other things.

That not pearl clutching, it's my opinion