to think Grand Theft Auto and BB guns unsuitable for 8 yr olds?!

[loopydoo]

So DS (8) has been coming home from school saying some of his friends are playing 'copycat' GTA game in primary school playground. He asked me what it was because we don't have anything like that at home so he didn't know.

The boys who are playing this game do play it at home (DS thinks) because they have older brothers.

I think it's way too grown up and violent for an 8 yr old to be watching/playing on the PS3 or whatever it's on and whilst playground games are made up, I think it's allowing the copycat notion of guns and stealing and violence that's age appropriate for 18yr olds.

Should I inform the school or leave it as harmless?

Also - one of DS' friends brought out a BB gun at the weekend and showed DS how it worked. DS hid inside behind the door and I knew nothing about it until he got home (the dad was looking after them - watching tv so not actively out there with them).

I didn't know what a BB gun was and they're not allowed for under 18s either!! How do I subtly/kindly tell the parents next time that I really don't want my DS taking part in this? The BB gun child is also a GTA child.

Neither are suitable for an eight year old.

Ask the school(teacher) if they have noticed any problems.

Thanks quote - so how shall I word it to the boy's parents about not wanting DS to play with the BB gun next time he's round there? The boys get on really well as friends so don't want to ban them from playing due to our different parenting styles?

When I was a teenager I accidentally shot my mate in the eye with a bb gun. It only fired the plastic bbs, not the metal ones.

His retina became detached and he spent 2 weeks in hospital having it operated on. He nearly lost his eye.

17 years later he still doesn't have 100% sight in that eye.

They are very dangerous.

Yes - DS said he thought these were plastic.