Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not let my 13 yo DS have the 18 certificate game Grand Theft Auto

142 replies

GinnyW · 12/05/2021 22:18

Apparently, all of my DS’s friends have this game. I am wary on so many levels. It has a high level of swearing and drug use among other “adult themes”. He is a genuinely sweet kid still, just turned 13 and I am concerned that this game is way too old for him.
AIBU He should have this 18 certificate game or AINBU and he is way too young.

OP posts:
CrystalE · 13/05/2021 20:16

We were also pestered for this. Said no but felt a bit like mean old codgers when lots of other kids that DS was at school with genuinely did have it. DS now grown up and moved on to better things.

He still talks to us.

MrsGulDukat · 13/05/2021 20:20

Also, the older GTA's werent as "shocking" as the newer ones.

I played those as a teenager and wouldnt object so much to DD playing those ones but GTA5...not a chance.

Spaceash · 13/05/2021 20:32

It's a great game, it's satire. Not for children though. Treat it as you would an 18 film.

Sixgeese · 13/05/2021 20:36

I used to have a blanket no on 18 games but now DS is 16 I read a review site which is parents reviewing different games suitability and explaining what rating they would give it and why.

Then I discuss with DH and DS explaining why yes or no.

Curiosity101 · 13/05/2021 20:54

I reckon I had it at that age... GTAIII came out when I was 11, Vice city when I was 12 and San Andreas when I was 14. I played them all at or around the time they came out.

For the final 2 games as well but I was 18+ by then.

All I can say is that it didn't do me any harm. I was never confused about the difference between a game and reality.

Curiosity101 · 13/05/2021 20:55

*I reckon I had a GTA game at that age

Hankunamatata · 13/05/2021 20:58

Iv said a big no to GTA to DC nearly 13. DC just wanted one of Call of Duty games and iv said I'd review when he is 15 as it's an 18

toiletbrushholder · 13/05/2021 21:10

A lot of my sons friends were allowed, we held off until he was older.

Nutrafin · 13/05/2021 21:10

It is a lot more adult than the earlier games in the series.

I'm a gamer, I quite like the GTA games, and am probably not as concerned as others about violence in video games, but I think any parent who buys this for a young teen is being neglectful.

It is akin to buying your child a softcore porn movie.

CatsArePeople · 13/05/2021 21:30

I did initially express my disapproval and yes, I had said no to buying it back when it was still a novelty. But it was played at other people's homes and and initially crept into ours as somebody just gave it away. By the time DS1 lost interest and DS2 hasn't really picked it up yet.
But I am really not bothered now. I much more worry about money-grabbing, gambling-inciting "kid friendly" games on phones and tablets.

PugInTheHouse · 13/05/2021 21:37

I am really laid back with games generally but very sensible DS1 did not have it till he was 15. 13 yo DS2 doesn't have it (it is only on DS1s PS4). I do think most of DS2s friends have it though.

shouldistop · 13/05/2021 21:48

YABU. Though it's quite vulgar and poor taste, but I'de rather have kids gaming than amusing themselves with porn. But you could steer him toward nicer games which are not less cool - Assassins Creed for example

Are playing GTA or watching porn the only 2 options available for teenagers then? Must tell all the teens I know who go to scouts, play football or other sports this.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 13/05/2021 22:06

All I can say is that it didn't do me any harm. I was never confused about the difference between a game and reality

That's good for you.

Do you also argue "I'm fine" to other things that have been proven to be risky?

Ontheboardwalk · 13/05/2021 22:21

I let my nephew under supervision play it once at age 14 to stop the moaning. He just drove about not wanting to get done by the police and not get a one star police attention for dodgy driving. He got bored and didnt want to play again

I caned vice city when it first came out. After a weekend of playing I came blinking out into the sun and had a real urge to start trying car doors to see as per the game. I do think it has an effect on you and 13 is too young

Saying that I’ve just started playing vice city again (low price to download which explains the chart position) I’ll let you know if I get busted

SnackSizeRaisin · 13/05/2021 23:00

Apparently GTA5 is one of the most played games at primary level which says a lot about some parents really.

I volunteered in a primary school. Playing GTA is considered a safeguarding risk and has to be reported if primary age children are suspected to be playing it. It was one of the assessment questions to pass the training module.

Original poster
GinnyW · 14/05/2021 07:48

So many interesting opinions. It’s a definite no and I will review it as he gets older. He is still a kid and not particularly mature. Thank you MN’ers.

OP posts:
Branleuse · 14/05/2021 07:51

Apparently ALL my sons friends have it too and im also very unreasonable and mean.

He plays fortnight and Fifa etc so im.not that mean, but i dont like the sound of GTA and he really doesnt need any more toxic gamer culture in his life. Its bad enough already

mogsrus · 14/05/2021 08:28

Parents who let children do this have no morals themselves, would you take an under age into a betting shop?casino?adult rates film? the answer would be categorically no,so why do it for an 18 video.

CatsArePeople · 14/05/2021 08:44

would you take an under age into a betting shop?casino?

Are you aware how many phone/tablet based "kid friendly" games are basically a casino? Even if you make sure all online purchases are disabled, it's still gambling.

celandiney · 14/05/2021 10:20

I love GTA V but tend not to pick up prostitutes because there are more interesting things to do, like holding up petrol stations then blasting them in the face even if they give me their money, or holing up somewhere you can pick off wave after wave of police officers. That's the thing with GTA, you can make your own entertainment (my favourite being trying to kill police with every weapon in the game before they take me out).

Okaaay,so thats fine then Hmm

UrAWizHarry · 14/05/2021 10:27

@Branleuse

Apparently ALL my sons friends have it too and im also very unreasonable and mean.

He plays fortnight and Fifa etc so im.not that mean, but i dont like the sound of GTA and he really doesnt need any more toxic gamer culture in his life. Its bad enough already

If you are concerned about toxic gamers, particually when it comes to online, the Fortnite and FIFA communities are far worse than GTA online.

GTA is a game for adults, with adult themes but the online community doesn't tend to go into a raging fit because they lost a stupid game of football.

mogsrus · 14/05/2021 10:31

Cats are people. I think you missed the point about morals,letting children just get on with under age stuff does not set a good example.
People just give stuff to underage persons as they think it's ok,as I said it's morals,nothing less, you wouldn't do the other things as it's illegal,so what changed in the head of the parent to let the child use an 18 game

CatsArePeople · 14/05/2021 18:27

so what changed in the head of the parent to let the child use an 18 game

Maybe the thing that almost all the popular game series are an 18, even those where earlier installments were a 16. So once kids have grown out of Super Mario or Minecraft - there is very little for them until 18. However, I don't think gaming industry has abandoned teenagers, its just ratings aren't exactly a law. Maybe i'm immoral, but it just so low on my worry list.

Pennethorne · 14/05/2021 22:33

Of course he's too young. Why even consider it? He won't be 'a sweet kid' for long if you give him stuff like that. Don't fall into the trap of shitty parenting just because other soft, wimpy shit parents bleat that 'he'll be left out' of a feral gang of neglected, unloved gremlins.

Pennethorne · 14/05/2021 22:34

@CatsArePeople

so what changed in the head of the parent to let the child use an 18 game

Maybe the thing that almost all the popular game series are an 18, even those where earlier installments were a 16. So once kids have grown out of Super Mario or Minecraft - there is very little for them until 18. However, I don't think gaming industry has abandoned teenagers, its just ratings aren't exactly a law. Maybe i'm immoral, but it just so low on my worry list.

Yes, the entire gaming industry is "Super Mario", "Minecraft" and GTA. No other games exist.

Christ, y'all have no imagine and, apparently, nor do you have Google. Or a shop. Or Steam.