to not let my 12yr old play GTA?

[Knitjob]

I can’t find any recent threads in this, is it not really an issue any more?
I remember an outcry when it first came out, with it being full of violence, sexual violence, offensive language etc. But I haven’t heard much said about it for a while.
My 12 yr old wants to play it and my instinct says no.
He tells me everyone else plays it, the language is not so bad, you can avoid the bad bits, etc etc.
It’s hard to read reviews online because some of the seem to have been written by kids parented get t9 be adults, it’s hard to be sure they are genuine reviews.

So am I the worst mother ever to say no to this game?

I think you'd be unreasonable to say yes.

No, I didn't let my daughter play it when she was younger either.

Nope. I still wouldn't let mine play. They can play game like that when they live in their own houses. I won't let it (or thse types of games) in mine.

GTA is a horrible game. I wouldn’t let my D.C. have it.

Isn't happening under my roof and I'm reasonably laid back with shoot em up type games. That game is beyond an 18. DS is 13.

I can see why you'd be apprehensive about allowing him, but to be honest I was playing it since before the age of 12 and it didn't do me any harm. I realised it was just a video game and not in any way a pattern of behaviour to aspire too. So i guess it depends on how intuitive/perceptive/intelligent he is in general.

Hell no. That thing does not come in my house and I give zero fucks what "everyone else" does.

I don’t allow it either. Funny how many of us don’t when apparently EVERYONE plays it at 12.

My ds is 15 and I wouldn't let him play it. These games are rated 18 for very good reasons.

He's never asked about it and is happy enough playing his football/formula one/forza games and the like.

I’m a gamer and a dad. I’ve played GTA V quite thoroughly.

It’s 18 rated for very good reasons. It’s not for kids. Not at all.

Can anyone who has actually played it give me some examples of exactly what’s it’s about? I’m not inclined to change my mind but I’d like to better understand what I am saying no to, and be able to give some examples to him. I don’t want to just say no based on rumours I heard 5 years ago.

@catlovingdoctor There's a big difference between say, Vice City and GTA5 though and I don't think GTA5 is appropriate for a 12 year old to play.

"The language isn't even that bad" - Yes it is.

"You can avoid the bad bits" - You can avoid some of the bad bits but there are times in the story where you can't move forward unless you kill or torture someone.

"Everyone else plays it" - This is probably true and I would say it's very irresponsible.

I think some of the hysteria over it is unwarranted and it is actually a sublime game. For adults.

My DP lets his 8yo play it and I’m horrified. It’s defibitely not suitable for under 16s IMHO. It has violence, sex, nudity, drugs etc.

@Knitjob

You'd be better off gauging your opinion from watching someone play it:

I haven't watched the link or heard the commentary so there may be bad language on there (well actually, there will be language in there due it it being in the game).

I read a lot of the misjudged comments are about "having to murder prostitutes". This is not true. It is not part of any story of any GTA I have ever played. The option to do it is there but it's not because they are a prostitute, it's because it's an open world where you can make your character do whatever you want as the game allows.

GTAV, no. I've played it and there are things that even made me uncomfortable.

The earlier GTA's are awesome games. Now, they take it too far to shock you.

DD wont be playing that stuff until she's old enough to buy it herself.

I’ve played it and I wouldn’t let a teenager play it.

Apart from the standard violence, strip bars, etc, there was part of the main story line where you control a man who is torturing another person. I had to have a break from it after that.

It's a definite 18. The online is similar to other shooters - run around blowing shit up and shooting people, but the main storyline in single player has some questionable, ultra-violent, highly sexualised content.

The torturing part was deeply unpleasant.

That game did not come into my house until eldest DS was 18 & bought it himself.

Even then it was only on the strict condition that his younger siblings didn't have access to it.

It's rated 18 for a reason.

DS is 15. Answer is no.

I've told DS1 that even when he's 18 he won't play it under my roof because of the misogyny.

Saints Row 4 is like a parody version. Lots of swearing but sex and nudity isnt there. Maybe look into that as alternative, but then its an 18 too, so its up to you.

YANBU. I think it's neglectful to allow it.

Is it good? I didn't know there was a parody version. I always thought GTA were meant to be parodies themselves!?