Grand Theft Auto

[SteeperThanHell]

My 12 years claims that I am absolutely ruining his social life by not allowing GTA in our home.

He assures me that all his friends have it and he is becoming some sort of social outcast.

Am I being unreasonable? Or has it somehow changed since the last time I researched and no longer has prostitution, sex, violence, strip clubs and bank robberies.

That should obviously say 12 year old at the start...

It’s horrible and I’m shocked it’s even allowed to be sold. Our young boys are battered by images and music inciting violence to each other and against girls.

Don’t give in

It does have drugs, sex, violence and prostitutes in it and you're well within your rights as a parent to not allow whatever games you don't want in your house.

It's fine if other people's parents allow them to play that game but you're not other people's parents. It's crap for him but that's life. He can play it when he's 15 (I think that's the rating?)

I have played the game. It's an 18 rating and I would maybe let a 15 year old play it if they're sensible but it is in absolutely no way suitable for your 12 year old. Stick to your guns

It has all that, I'm surprised it's still a thing as latest game came out ages ago, is it GTA online that he wants to play? I have played the latest game and the storyline is far too dark for his age group (suggested male rape, cannibalism, torture). I would stick to your guns!

YANBU at all.
I have had a similar convo with my 9 yr old DS about Fortnite. He has been told he isn't having it until he is old enough - he can make do with minecraft.

I have the game. GTA5. I'm not a fan. I love similar style video games like Fallout, Red Dead Redemption and Skyrim. The violence isn't any worse, the robberies and crime don't bother me either.

But GTA has loads more bad language and it's very sexist. It's very "rap culture" which I find totally alien, every other word in the dialogue is fuck or n*gga (which I find SO offensive I can't even bring myself to write it).

It's probably very popular with Ali G types who see themselves as a gangsta rapper. Totally inappropriate for a 12 year old. I'd let a 14 or 15 year old play Skyrim or Red Dead but not GTA.

GTA most certainly does have a little bit of sex and drugs and a whole lot of criminality, and yes lots of 12 year olds (or squeakers as they are known among the adult players) play it.

We have GTA5, my husband plays as does our son (now 20 but would have been under 18 when we first had it), and I've played through story mode myself but not online as I don't do online gaming. It's OK but no San Andreas.

You are free to tell your child no though.

Your kid is being a dick, and lying about all his friends having it.

Ffs spoonblender!

I love GTA and YANBU. I suspect his friends do probably have it though.

Meh, my 6 yr old grandson plays it.

I wouldn't let my 12 year old play GTA. I think there comes a point where they are old enough to understand the issues and discuss/have opinions on them and able to play the game as just a game and not be frightened by the themes or think the themes are 'ok' because they're in the game. Similar to watching a gritty film.

Although my 12 year old is pretty mature and would probably be able to discuss the themes I just feel it is too dark for him right now. However so far he's not been interested in those types of games. He likes indy platform games and things like Ni No Kuni and Yo Kai Watch (he loves anime/manga). So I think there is plenty for a 12 year old to play and talk with friends without playing GTA.

The game itself isn't that bad, it's the online aspect of it and other players that's an issue. If he played closed sessions just with his friends with you around that might be a compromise.

I would let a 12 year old play GTA online in a party with his friends though.

@starlink

I'd seriously think about a social services referral if I knew of a 6 year old playing that game...

Do his parents give him a porn mag, some weed and whiskey to enjoy at the same time?

@Starlink either you're not telling the truth or his parents need reporting

Yanbu
The parents allowing this are the ones with the problem. 6 year old grandson ffs?
Then come the posts a few years later "I just don't understand why my child is being a violent aggressive little shit.."

This is why games have age ratings...

Social services would look very unfavourably on a 6 year old playing GTA.

Children's brains if exposed to violence early on will become desensitised to it - really not a good idea.

Theres actually hundreds of studies that show violent media does not make violent children.

Alot of the hysteria about violent video games comes from parents who have never played them.

The same parents will allow their six year old to watch Spiderman but not play Fortnite.

I don't really buy into the "video games turn normal children into killers" theory.

It's not the violence of GTA which bothers me, it;s less graphic that something like Call of Duty (which is also an 18). It's the language, the whole culture of toxic masculinity and attitudes, and the whole thing just leaves you feeling grubby.

Red Dead is MUCH better. As is Fallout 3 or 4. Although they're both 18s too.

Meh. I don’t buy the ‘corrupting games’ narrative either. Most people play it to drive around and shoot people, something children have been playing at for an awfully long time

I'm not sure why Red Dead with it's serial killers, vampire hunts and dying of TB is considered better but to be honest I'd be far, far more worried about a 12 year old getting into anime and manga type games given all the fetishists that lurk in those communities.

Alot of the hysteria about violent video games comes from parents who have never played them
I've played them. That's how I know I wouldn't want to expose my child to violence and misogyny or sexist, racist and vulgar language. Why would you? There are plenty of age appropriate games that are fun. It's really appalling judgement and slack parenting to allow your underage child to be exposed to this stuff. They then act surprised when their kid is in trouble for repeating the language and being disrespectful in general. Well they're learning that from their parents aren't they?