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?

To be honest I played GTA (albeit a much earlier version) when I was at primary school and it hasn't done me any harm. I don't think kids are that affected by games they watch. If they were we'd all be running around jumping down pipes and eating mushrooms so that we grow bigger.

Saints Row isnt really a parody. But its like GTA with a sense of humour. I'd take Saints Row over GTA any day. It helps that you can play as a female character is the boss.

My ds is 17 and doesn’t have it. I have always said I will not have it in the house.

I’m more relaxed than some but wouldn’t even entertain it before the age of 16. I agree with a pp a that buying it for a 12 year old would be neglectful.

They are great games so it’s a shame that the developer won’t make a toned-down version.

It should be said that GTA V is a wonderful game. For adults. It’s extremwly well crafted, artful, funny, exciting and rewarding.

It’s also violent, misogynistic, mean, sexualised, and glamourises pretty much any “bad” thing you can think of.

It’s my favourite game ever. But no 12 year old should play it.

My husband plays GTA V and the language and violence is atrocious, I'm not easily offended by this type of thing either but there is no way in hell I'd let a 12yo play it. Swear words every other sentence, violence, gangs, sex, killing and theft is the backbone of the game.

Min age I'd ever let play is 16 because I figure they already know the language used and new movies they're bound to watch are just as bad.

GTA5 is quite a graphic game and I wouldn’t let a child play it. When you unlock one character you see him having sex with a woman and it is quite ruff. It actually disturbed me a little. There is also guns, hookers and strip clubs the game is about Crime and it’s a parody of LA and it’s underbelly. It’s a violent game and there is a lot of drug references. I play online and that part of it is fun and not as graphic but I’m 30. . I would let 16 year old play GTA online supervised on a games console because it’s less likely to be modded. I love GTA and I played it when I was young but back then the graphics where basic and it wasn’t as realistic. I don’t think you are a bad mother for being careful with the content your children consume. To me that’s good parenting.

As a general note for parents who don’t know anything about gaming... just go by the age rating. And if in doubt, inform yourself. Every game will have hours of gameplay on YouTube so it’s not hard to find the information.

Try the Ask About Games Website. The site's run by the Video Standards Council who set the PEGI ratings - the equivalent of film ratings.

I think you'rebeing sensible to ask too.

It's aged 18 for plenty of VERY GOOD reasons. Not a chance I'd let a 12 year old play it. His friends aren't your responsibility. If 'everyone' is playing a game where you can shoot and kill people, pay prostitutes for sex, money launder and run drug farms I think 'everyone's' parents are fucking shit parents and shouldn't have had children if they aren't going to look after them properly.

Take your DS to buy a couple of games in his age rating instead.

But also take into account that he will almost definitely be playing this game at his friends houses.

Mine are only 8 and 6 so it's not an issue at home yet for us. But my nephews have been playing this and COD since they were younger than
12. That horrified me, and gives me the additional challenge of trying to keep my kids away from it when they stay at their nan's house! Family excepted (because I can put my foot down there), I suppose as parents we have to accept they will play these games at friend's houses, not sure how you get around that one.

You get around that one by checking whether those children are allowed to play the games.

Mine would not be going to friends houses where this game was going to be played.

Just no. My youngest DS is now 17, but it's still banned in this house! It's horrible.

I won't let DS15 play it.

GTA is vile.

DS is 17 and it has never and will never be coming into this house.

Best get used to his “everyone else does” argument - you’re going to be hearing it a lot over the next few years for various activities. Although my DS hasn’t bothered using it for absolutely ages because he knows I don’t give a monkey’s what anyone else does!

It’s not “vile”. It’s just not for kids.

I wouldn't let a 12 year old play GTA. I think the age should be 16+ (too many games are 18+ for no good reason...I don't own a single xbox game that isn't an 18+ and I would consider most of them suitable for 16+).
Although equally, I don't believe that playing games with bad things in it will warp a kid and make them do bad things...that's a load of bull.

Mine’s 12 and I won’t let him have it despite all his pals supposedly playing it. I checked with his older brother (adult) and he said absolutely no way is it appropriate.

I hadn't thought to watch it on youtube. I will do that this evening.

I'm quite determined he's not getting it but I want to show him I've given it some thought and not just said no.

And sadly I know some of his friends do play it. Our 9 yr old neighbour has it believe it or not. His mum thinks the bad stuff just goes over his head and her kid will just think it's a fun arcade shooting game.

It’s also violent, misogynistic, mean, sexualised, and glamourises pretty much any “bad” thing you can think of.

Your words Paddy; that’s pretty vile in my house.

I hate my 28 year old boyfriend playing it, it's disturbing.

DD is 10 and no way would I let her play it. Yeah some kids would be fine but you have no idea how an immature brain processes things the eyes see.

From the PEGI website: "The content of this game is suitable for persons aged 18 years and over only.
It contains: Extreme violence - Multiple, motiveless killing - Violence towards defenceless people - Strong language"
It's not something I would want anyone under 18 playing.

Not at all. One of my (few) red lines. There is no way either of my DSs are playing it under my roof. For all of the reasons that Paddy cited. And on that basis, the opinion that "GTA V is a wonderful game. For adults. It’s extremely well crafted, artful, funny, exciting and rewarding" is utterly irrelevant.

DS is 13 and I've told him that GTA is never coming into this house. Have a read of the write up for it on common sense media website, that gives a very good picture of why it's not suitable for under 18's.