Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I have upset SIL, she has accused me of calling her a bad parent (GTA related)

200 replies

40somethingwonderful · 25/12/2014 15:00

Met up at her house for Christmas and exchanged gifts, My nephew opened up a gift from "Father Christmas" and he was so excited as he got the gift he wanted Grand theft auto, My mouth was wide open and my SIL asked what was wrong, I just said isn't that an 18 rating, she said "I think so, but it is what he wanted".

Later on my nephew put the game on and I told my children to come out as it was not suitable for them, sil got all uppity and told me its Christmas and I should loosed up, I explained that while it is her decision to let her DS play it, I have the right as a mum to not allow my children to play it, she then said to her son you carry on, I don't mind, but then I must be a bad mum.

We quickly made our excuses and left shortly after.

What would you have done?

Nephew has just turned 8 and my eldest is 13.

OP posts:
TheHoneyBadger · 26/12/2014 11:20

at least he didn't run her over i guess.

HexBramble · 26/12/2014 11:35

Eustasiavye, I couldn't have worded that better.

HexBramble · 26/12/2014 11:36

Duchess, that is extremely interesting and worrying at the same time. Thank God there are still minors out there who see the importance of age certification but it's still a massive issue that parents don't see reason to listen to it.

Frustrating.

FrogIsATwatInASantaHat · 26/12/2014 11:40

Just to reiterate what others have said.. I have told my boys that that particular game won't come into my house regardless of their age. Lots of their friends have it. It seems they parents can't say no. I like the 'animated snuff' description. As for the parents of the two 8 year olds who play it online...
seriously what planet are you from? Id describe you as stupid and weak.

dirkdiggler1 · 26/12/2014 11:48

Oh blimey, what grim talk towards someone expressing an opinion

The opinion of someone who has never played it is irrelevant. It's clear they haven't got a fucking clue.

HexBramble · 26/12/2014 11:53

Crikey dirk, who rattled you're cage, or are you a GTA game player too. You seem to be taking this personally.

FrogIsATwatInASantaHat · 26/12/2014 11:53

I don't need to play it. I've done my research so my 11 year old doesn't need to. Im sure its a great game for an ADULT. There is just so much choice of other games that we can do without.
We are currently playing Lego Batman and tereria (sp)

HexBramble · 26/12/2014 11:54

Missed out a few ?'s there Smile

comeagainforbigfudge · 26/12/2014 12:09

Bloody hellfire! My DH has that game. I have to leave the room when he plays it.

And even he has admitted it's a bit 3 xterm in places. This coming from the man who plays zombie games, call of duty, and many other "shoot 'em all" type games!!!

Most certainly not a game for an 8 year old. Jeez!!

trowelmonkey1 · 26/12/2014 12:45

I think Dirk has a point. Just had a conversation with DH about this. He is a keen gamer and has played GTA V. I have not played it myself, but I was generally in the room when DH was playing.

GTA is game for adults. Yes it's violent, but an adult should understand that the game isn't real life. An 8 yo simply does not have the emotional maturity to understand that and should not be playing the game.

The game is violent, but the violence doesn't target anyone in particular. Yes you can kill prostitutes, but it far easier to go around shooting up random strangers in the street.

Also I don't buy the idea that it's fine if a kid just wants to go around driving cars. The language is pretty appalling and that should be enough for anyone to realise it isn't suitable for a child to play!

TheHoneyBadger · 26/12/2014 13:00

trowel dirk's point was that anyone who hasn't played it should 'shut your face' so erm not sure you have grasped his face seeing as you've dared to give an opinion Grin

HexBramble · 26/12/2014 13:28

Dirk just strengthens the argument that games like GTA increases aggression in those that play them Grin

trowelmonkey1 · 26/12/2014 13:44

I was referring to Dirk's earlier point, not his "shut your face" comment.

bloodyteenagers · 26/12/2014 13:59

Wow, I am truly amazed that anyone, let alone two individual households lets their 8 year old play the game, even if it's just for the racing.

There are many more age appropriate racing games out there. F1, Gran turismo, Motogp, Need for speed (altough not all of them), Grid, Sonic, Hotwheels, WRC, Cars, Modnations racers... To name but a few... But I suspect you aren't interested. You want to be a 'cool' parent that allows their child to play whatever they want.

18's are that for a reason. Because they deal with adult content, in the same way that 18 films deal with adult content. Adult content is not just about violence and sex. It's also about language and the psychological side.

I don't want to see these games banned. What I would like to see is parents facing charges under the child protection act. You cannot show a child anything of a sexual nature, this and other 18 games have sexual images in them. Yes I know police, SS, and CEOP are overworked and underfunded, but until these agencies start to make a stance then children will still be allowed access. But it's not just about prosecution, it's also about education.

I say this as a gamer who has children. I play 18's. I have never played these games around my children. My children know they are not allowed to play because they are for adults, just in the same way they are not allowed to watch Saw. Because it is an 18.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 26/12/2014 14:11

It sounds horrible. I really don't know why anyone would want to play it, child or adult. If it is 'snuff anime' then how is it ok? Urgh.

Original poster
40somethingwonderful · 26/12/2014 15:07

Thank you for your further replies.

DH called and asked if they knew what the content of the game was, apparently they do, their ds is mature for his age and knows what he wants :( :( dh and I very frustrated.

OP posts:
Mountainygirl · 26/12/2014 15:19

So their 8 year old wants to nick cars and shag hookers before taking an axe to them?

lovely

Shit parenting all right

Marylou2 · 26/12/2014 15:21

OMG!! GTA for an 8 year oldShock . I wouldn't let DH 53 buy itGrin

bloodyteenagers · 26/12/2014 15:25

Yea cos all 8 year old wants to make an assassin shot on a guard. Be told wtf. Then have a shoot out with police, where another character says shoot him in the fucking face..
Game play in the beginning.

StripedCandycaneOss · 26/12/2014 15:33

8yo ds is allowed to play COD with DH under supervision, as DH sets up the pvp private games.. no bad language.

But GTA? Hell no, not even Dh wants it, he thinks its disgusting.

youarekiddingme · 26/12/2014 15:57

Maybe the 8yo is mature for his age.

Or maybe just maturer than his parents Grin

YANBU

JCDenton · 26/12/2014 16:08

If its snuff anime' then how is it ok? Urgh.

Well it's neither snuff nor anime soooo...

HexBramble · 26/12/2014 16:19

bloody teenagers you speak sense. Even though I can't see the appeal for adults, you're spot on with regards to scope for prosecution and CEOP involvement. If only!

CassieBearRawr · 26/12/2014 16:24

"Thank you for your further replies.

DH called and asked if they knew what the content of the game was, apparently they do, their ds is mature for his age and knows what he wants sad sad dh and I very frustrated."

Oh yes, that old chestnut. When I worked in the games shop I was astonished how many wildly intelligent and emotionally mature primary aged children there apparently were. We're raising a generation of uber advanced citizens by the sounds of it!

Many years ago (GTA 4 I think?) I advised a Dad buying it for his 8 year old son something along the lines of "This game is an 18 rated because it contains adult themes not suitable for children. It is essentially a crime simulation, where you play the part of a violent criminal. It involves adult language, gang warfare, murder, theft, drugs and prostitution". Do you know what he replied? "They see and hear worse at school". Clearly hadn't listened to a word I said! They just zone out. Sometimes you're wasting your breath.

Original poster
40somethingwonderful · 26/12/2014 17:37

Also when DH was on the phone it was mentioned that it is not the latest GTA game so it is not as bad.

Are the older games more suitable? I am guessing probably not as they still have the 18 rating.

OP posts: