not to let DS1 (11) play Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty

[Preciousdaisybear]

Argh. I am getting so much grief from DS1 about this. Apparently ALL his friends and classmates play these games and have started to make fun/tease him that he isn't allowed to. Having seen the content of this games, the violence and the language there is no way I think anyone under the age of 16 should have access and I can't believe that parents of children much younger than mine let their kids play. I want to protect him from being exposed to things he is too young to deal with - but at the same time don't want to alienate him from his peers. He is too well behaved and honest to sneak off to a chum's house and play it anyway. Any advice would be much welcomed.

Sadbad it's grim, isn't it? Apparently he's 'got all the others' too.

Really sad.

Ah, yes, blinking FIFA. I loathe that because there is the constant pressure to "unlock" more players by buying more and more "points" so the game ends up costing hundreds of pounds - and the player extensions do not transfer to the upgraded game.
So it sucks them in to spending real money. Lots of it.

DS wants Fifa 14 because Fifa 13 is out of date.

Any of you who think your kids over 12 don't play/haven't seen it, will be in for a large shock one day.

I honestly don't think some parents realize just how sneaky and determined teens can be.

useless
That is the thing. Everybody has different things that the do not like.
Which is why I'd rather try something than reject out of hand.

My sister loves the film Casino. I still get the creeps just thinking about the scene where they break fingers - and I saw it when pregnant with abovementioned DS.

THe best review of GTA I've seen yet was in the Economist - they do not have an axe to grind ; they just look at share prices!

Ds has FIFA on Wii u and there is no paying to unlock anything. Glad about that!

I'd allow cod but not GTA. COD is basically shooting Nazis, with some swearing thrown in. GTA is overly sexualised, and has VERY mature content.

Not a review, but a factual account of the contents of the game. After reading that no one should need a review to know it isn't suitable for children.

Oh and want to know who buys it for their kids? Enjoy

Th edifference in watching something on tv and playing something is that our physically engaging in the game, therefore getting adrenaline going and those of a weak minded nature then take it further and want to pursue in rl. its been in news before about it, the influence of these things on crime.

now ill probably get someone saying 'well my childs/DP not like that nor likely to go on a killing/torture/prostitute spree, they know its 'only' a game'

no, maybe not but someone will. and its an 18 rated cert,

I have worked with four and five year olds who play call of duty. Really, really sad. OP I do not think UABU for not letting your 11 year old play.

We only have a Wii and ds plays Mario Brothers and Cart and FiFa, that's it. Also Minecraft & Skype with his friends in the computer. He is 12.

No other game console will enter this house for quite some years (if ever).
My ds's friends don't have GTA or COD but I know what they are like from a friend's older ds. I think those games are awful.
I'm prepared to be the only parent that won't allow those games and that won't change.
Yes, we did play computer games back in our youth, but we're talking Monkey Island. The modern games mentioned above simply disgust me.

Yanbu at all!!!!

MrsZimt - I hope there are plenty more parents out there like you, but, sadly, I think there are far too many who think this moronic trash is a suitable pastime for their families.

exactly MrsZ we used toplay donkey kong and Maro and Sonic.

DC only has things like this, plus sports.

I said yes to COD because you can turn off gore/swearing and it seems not much worse than games ds2 and his older brother have played in the past.
Ds2 wanted GTA V and I said no immediately as its not just a shoot 'em up and has very adult themes totally unsuited to an 11yr old. He then asked for Payday 2 which is about jewel heists but also inolves brewing up drugs. Another no, which has him red eyed. It may not be 'everyone' in his class that has these, but enough of his friends to be causing him grief. Apparently other Mums have said its ok if they only play together, not with random people on the Internet, but I've found that I've reached my limit even as a fairly laid back parent.

I'd say no to Payday 2 as well, especially as the only real way to progress in game is to play online. Definitely seems to be a less nasty community than other games (eg. CoD) but still, it's mostly adults who aren't exactly tempering their language etc.

Thre was post just like this the other week and i couldnt believe how many people thought it was ok for little kids

GTA is just a game but personally I think 11 is to young. I'd say 15 and over is ok, but you are your own parent, and its your decision. Parents who buy the game for their children, again its up to them. I wouldn't judge.

Talkinpeace, you can watch excerpts on YouTube, I have had a look, makes for very disturbing viewing.

My son now 18 can buy GTA himself now. In the past, he has badgered me to get him the latest version. Having watched it being played, with emphasis on violence against women in particular and drug use, I have always refused.

Can I ask a question? Is your son the type to make fun of/tease other classmates who have not got access to this game? Hope not.

YANBU, I'm a big fan of GTA and not a chance he should play it any time soon.

People who call games 'moronic trash' as above, are BU. I'm no moron.

are ANY of your kids who DO play t hese things teasing those that don't? do you know if they are?

Snap, my 11 yr old son's classmates have been playing COD for years and I'm known as the strict mean mum as I don'tmletbhim though he does have some 15s. not sure about GTA. Had a 10 yr old in the house earlier who's younger friend plays it, so he told me.

many, many boys your sons age plays at least COD, it is not unusual even if most replies here make t look otherwise - Mnet isn't always a true reflection.

Not allowing children to play these games is the correct thing to do. But to see some of the comments about COD. Jeez. It's not just " shooting at Nazis"

We play COD after the kids are in bed and I haven't felt the urge to shoot someone. Yet.

I stopped playing COD a while back. It wasn't the game that was disturbing, it was the online community.

Pretty sure I spotted a groomer or two, and the constant swearing on the voice channel...