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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not allow GTA

113 replies

panicovernow · 15/06/2017 21:14

My DS is 11, 12 in 3 months. He is most put out as neither my DH or I will allow him to have GTA for his Xbox. Many of his friends his age and younger have it and we're good friends with some of their parents who are similar to us in many ways but with this we differ. DS is a lovely sensible lad and I don't think it would change him in any way I just don't think it's appropriate. He however thinks we're being most unreasonable and he feels isolated from a group of friends who play it. I will add that we are not strict on everything being within age ratings (other games or films) but just check it out online first. So what I'm asking for is your opinions.
Thanks

OP posts:
InDubiousBattle · 15/06/2017 21:15

YANBU It's on no way suitable for such a young dc. My nephews had it at 15/16 and I thought it was unsuitable then tbh.

JamieXeed74 · 15/06/2017 21:16

I dont see why its a big deal. Seems a bit strict to ban it.

Justmadeperfectflapjacks · 15/06/2017 21:17

It's a game.
All my ds play it. . Nobody a criminal yet.

robinia · 15/06/2017 21:17

Not allowed here either. Oldest ds is 17 and doesn't seem bothered any more thank goodness.

SnickersWasAHorse · 15/06/2017 21:17

I dont see why its a big deal.

Because of the murder, drive by shootings, killing prostitutes, sex..............

BrightonBelleCat · 15/06/2017 21:18

I haven't allowed it yet. Ds is 14.

Migraleve · 15/06/2017 21:19

dont see why its a big deal. Seems a bit strict to ban it.

Have you never heard about the difference between children and adults Confused

Alfieisnoisy · 15/06/2017 21:22

My son isn't allowed it either.. .he is 14.

Apparently "everyone else has it".

Yeah yeah

Wolfiefan · 15/06/2017 21:22

I have a 14 year old. He doesn't have it either
Kids push boundaries. You need to decide what yours are and stand by them. If you say no then cave to pressure because his friends "all" have it then what's the next point for him to argue.
BTW. All my friends are doing it? Pull the other one mate!! Grin

somewhereovertherain · 15/06/2017 21:22

It's an 18 so no issue. Why would you let an 11 y/o have it.

Though do find it a good stress relief. Bit of killing and robbing.

peachgreen · 15/06/2017 21:23

Gosh, no, YANBU. It's definitely not suitable. And I'm not one of those who gets up in arms about video games.

BrightonBelleCat · 15/06/2017 21:23

Don't you get points for running over prostitutes or am I making shit up?

Original poster
panicovernow · 15/06/2017 21:26

Thanks for your replies. I think my issue is it's not necessary to expose him to it. While I agree with it's only a game and the kids I know who have it are nice kids not criminals, it just doesn't sit right with me.

OP posts:
Original poster
panicovernow · 15/06/2017 21:27

More replies since I posted. Yes I agree we're sticking to our boundaries. He'll get over it and start to moan about something else soon enough!

OP posts:
Allthebestnamesareused · 15/06/2017 21:28

Nice kids are not criminals but neither do nice kids need to be exposed to the rape and killing of women as part of a game.

My oldest is 25 (and possibly has this game now). It became a standing 'joke' in our family for him to ask for it for Christmas every year and for me to say no.

I have allowed some 18s for 15 year olds to play but they are war based ones.

Not ones that are so dreadful and disgusting towards women.

ALemonyPea · 15/06/2017 21:29

DS is 14 and I've not allowed it. It's an 18 for a reason. I do allow certain 18 games, depends on how real life they are, and GTA is one of the banned games in this house.

dietcokeandwine · 15/06/2017 21:30

No GTA here. My DH is as avid a gamer as 12yo DS1, the upside of that being that he genuinely knows about the various different games on the market and is very clear about what is appropriate and what is not. Which is handy because I have no clue.

GTA is a definite 'not appropriate' in his opinion-in fact DH would refuse to allow the game into the house, wouldn't dream of playing it himself never mind allow a child to play it.

MaisyPops · 15/06/2017 21:33

Totally reasonable not to allow it.

15/16 I can see pushing it but not younger.

Would we want our early teens watching films thay have violence against women, sexual assault and crime? Would we be happy to sit with them whilst they watch a prostitute being deliberately ran over or murdered?
Probably not.

GTA have managed to get pester power on all levels.

ThornyBird · 15/06/2017 21:33

I am quite relaxed with ds1 but he knows I do not like the idea of a game that glorifies rape, sexual assault and the degradation of women. Therefore he can't play it in our home and I would prefer him not to play at all.

Like allthebest it's a bit of a standing joke now in our house!

Mushypeasandchipstogo · 15/06/2017 21:35

Definitely NO GTA here either. Words fail me that anyone would allow any child under 16 to play it and, before you ask, I have seen it .

Original poster
panicovernow · 15/06/2017 21:36

Diet Coke that's good to know. DS is the only gamer in this house so we rely on online reviews.

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Mamabear14 · 15/06/2017 21:36

I am pretty slack with my 12yr old and he has call of duty and halo and batman etc. No way on earth would I allow GTA. The rape and prostitutes are enough for me to refuse. I think I read you can get a BJ off a call girl and if you wanted you could then run her over and get your money back. Lovely!

user1469914265 · 15/06/2017 21:39

Watch the GTA v Trevor torture gameplay on YouTube. I'm 29 and have been gaming all my life and I felt it was a little too much.

MaisyPops · 15/06/2017 21:39

I think I read you can get a BJ off a call girl and if you wanted you could then run her over and get your money back. Lovely!
That has to be the worst thing I've heard about it.

And yet people let their 13 year olds on it because "they're a nice kid and they are smart enough to know it's a gamr". Yeah. They are smart enough to know it's a game, it doesn't mean I'd implicitly send a message that it's find to be abusive towards women as long as it's in a game.

Original poster
panicovernow · 15/06/2017 21:41

mamabearreally? I knew it was bad, but I'm now even more shocked that some of his friends have it

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