To think 10 yo shouldn't play 18-rated games (specifically: Grand Theft Auto 5)?

[imbadwithusernames3342]

Disclaimer: not a parent. Just a sister with no one to ask.

My sister has spent ages begging for Grand Theft Auto 5 after she's seen my brother (14) playing it pretty much all day every day. She apparently mainly watches people playing on YouTube when she's not watching him.

The post comes today and my mum has bought it for her! Maybe it's not my place to judge but I'm 18 and although I don't really play on games consoles, the times I have played 18-rated games with my brother they have been incredibly violent. Like, hard to watch violent, especially with the sound effects.

My mum insists it's normal and my grandma (who raised me) has skewed my perceptions of children in the 21st century. I understand some games may be rated higher than necessary, but surely violence should be discouraged? Am I just being silly?

With all due respect and totally aside from the rights/wrongs, this is not your child and not your parenting decision. You've let your mum know you don't think it's right, your mum has said its fine, leave it there.

A primary school age child should not be playing games rated 18. Young minds are impressionable. If this came out at school it should be reported to the designated safeguarding officer.

Best thing you can do is make time to do other games/cooking/walks with your sister so she spends less time playing it. She is lucky to have a concerned sister.

What a sensible sister, I have held firm on this too for my kids who went on and on asking for it. Its very adult, graphic content but the more disturbing aspect is the element of control of the characters and their fates which is given to the player. In my opinion not suitable for either the 10 year old or the 14 year old. If your mum really doesn't listen you could contact their school and tell someone there, they will view it as a safeguarding concern and they will at least speak to your mum about it.