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Original poster

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

103 replies

Preciousdaisybear · 27/09/2013 17:35

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. Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
Preciousdaisybear · 27/09/2013 22:21

The point, bowler, is that I am being made to feel unreasonable and it made me question whether it was me who was out of step with everyone else. I am glad to see that I am not alone in my beliefs.

OP posts:
TheBigJessie · 27/09/2013 23:03

CoD comes hand-in-hand with online play. On Xbox live, it's especially diabolical, because a microphone headset comes free with every X-box.

GTA- it is "wry". I wouldn't let any child play unsupervised, but it's a sandbox game, so it is possible for a child just to treat it as a driving game. And some will, if they're supervised. The full plot is optional.

It's not so with CoD- either you're playing through the whole game, or you're shooting people online, using and learning homophobic, racist, anti-Semitic, misogynist abuse.

shockers · 27/09/2013 23:48

My 13 yr old DS doesn't have any of these games and his popularity at school has not been hampered in the slightest.

DontGiveAwayTheHomeworld · 28/09/2013 00:04

It's rated 18 for a reason, no child should be able to play it. Unfortunately some parents don't seem to understand that.

The kind of people who would try to translate a game into real life is also the sort of person who isn't mature enough to understand the difference between fantasy and reality. As an adult, I can enjoy GTA, Gears of War, Mass Effect etc, but I understand that they are made up. Shooting pixels on a screen doesn't mean I want to shoot real people. There is a reason for the age ratings!

Sorry. It really bugs me when anyone equates video game violence (and misogyny, to an extent) with the same in reality. It is very seldom the case.

MrsZimt · 28/09/2013 10:04

Why would you want to shoot people (and let's face it, it looks very real, not pixelish) and accept these morals in a game when you would not dream of doing it in real life?

When I first saw COD played by a 11 year old it turned my stomach, it was so wrong. I doubt I will ever understand parents who let this happen.

quoteunquote · 28/09/2013 10:11

Tell him to get a better friends, anyone that would be mean to you about something beyond your control is not a friend.

and start some activities, if he is busy he won't have the time to think or care about computer games.

hateful games, brain bleach has not been invented yet, tell him to be careful what he lets into his head.

mrsjay · 28/09/2013 10:19

children who play over rated games can be de senstized (sp) it isn't about them going out and shooting people iyswim

FrightRider · 28/09/2013 10:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

dubstarr73 · 28/09/2013 11:00

my ds is 18 and he bought it.Even he was shocked at how graphic it is.My sil was gonna get it for her 6 year old and my son told her not too.Im usually pretty easygoing where certain things are concerned but no way would he play it.

JCDenton · 28/09/2013 12:35

Why would you want to shoot people (and let's face it, it looks very real, not pixelish) and accept these morals in a game when you would not dream of doing it in real life?

Because it's a work of fiction where you're playing a part. I don't sympathise with real life gangsters because I play GTA, same as if I watch The Godfather.

QueenofallIsee · 28/09/2013 12:55

Not GTA. I allow COD. YANBU to regulate as you see fit but i think reporting other parents just to so that you don't have to enforce your own rules in your own home is nimbyish and ridiculous.

Talkinpeace · 28/09/2013 13:32

DS has just sat and read this whole thread with me. He laughed lots.
So far on GTA he has driven supercars up mountains and flown helicopters (badly). No interest in doing the missions yet.
Death toll : other characters 10 .... DS 20 (he kept dying!)

And by the way, Video Games let young men think their violent thoughts in the safety of their living rooms - one of the reasons why violent crime is at a historic all time low in the UK, USA and most of Europe (bear baiting and watching public executions are the old style equivalent)

MortifiedAdams · 28/09/2013 13:37

GTA is banned and always will be, in this house.

COD is different but still barred til the age level.

IceCreamForCrow · 28/09/2013 13:38

We have the same problem too. I do feel that although I keep saying no to ds I could be making him stand out amongst his friends.

The ratings on games are for a reson. It seems that because they are 'only games' on a screen some parents think they are not esp adult in content or dont care that they areHmm.

HavantGuard · 28/09/2013 13:40

Ratings are a guide and I don't stick to them 100% but if something is an 18 I don't think I'd be happy with under 15s watching or playing it.

nonmifairidere · 28/09/2013 13:40

Talkinpeace- please quote studies which support your assertion, otherwise it is just your assertion.

Talkinpeace · 28/09/2013 13:46

What about the crime?
www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2013/07/economist-explains-16
GTA even gets a mention in the article ....

HavantGuard · 28/09/2013 13:51

That doesn't even mention your theory!

nonmifairidere · 28/09/2013 13:52

Talkinpeace - specific studies, please. I am genuinely interested to know where you get your facts from.

Talkinpeace · 28/09/2013 13:56

www.shef.ac.uk/law/research/clusters/ccr/modernlaw

Snatchoo · 28/09/2013 13:58

I would have it in the house because DH and I like playing games.

I wouldn't allow DSS age 12 to play either as they are not suitable. His mum does though and I know he plays it elsewhere.

HavantGuard · 28/09/2013 14:03

Yes, violent crime has fallen. Yes, the fears that violent video games would lead to a general violent behaviour have been proven wrong. Where does any of that support your claim that 'Video Games let young men think their violent thoughts in the safety of their living rooms - one of the reasons why violent crime is at a historic all time low in the UK, USA and most of Europe (bear baiting and watching public executions are the old style equivalent.)'

nonmifairidere · 28/09/2013 14:04

Talkinpeace - very interesting articles. But one brief mention of an unatributed study 'suggesting' a theory is a bit thin. I'm off to do some research.

Cybercat · 28/09/2013 14:05

DH has GTA and I hate it. He enjoys it (I sneak off to bed with my kindle) but I wouldn't let a child of mine play it.

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