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

[GinnyW]

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.

my son is still a young baby but i was playing it when i was 13 and i haven't done coke, got a stripper or murdered anyone yet!

No one is claiming that that is what will happen.

However it exposes impressionable children to notions and ideas which usually lead to them becoming miserable, angsty, gobby little shites, whereupon their parents claim to be baffled at where they learned such things.

Good god, the amount of pearl clutching on this thread. It's just a game.

Definitely not appropriate. We stupidly allowed 9yo DS to play on it and withing a few days jotted a massive change in his attitude and demeanour. Game withdrawn, attitude curbed.
I didn't like it predominantly because of the swearing, but it's the violence and everything else. Hideous.

Most of them will play it anyway at 15-16 unless you are going to keep them in and not allow them out as they go round friends houses who may have it. DS had his own copy at 16 but played it before then at friends houses.

There’s an 18 certificate on it for a reason. Would you come on here asking if it was ok to buy him a porno and a bottle of vodka?

My husband's ex just let their 9 year old get it. NINE.

Fucking appalling imo (and his).

@neroforte

my son is still a young baby but i was playing it when i was 13 and i haven't done coke, got a stripper or murdered anyone yet!

And I haven't kidnapped anyone and made them play sick games where they have to decide whether to die or pluck out their own eyes but I'm not going to let my young child watch the SAW films either.

Way too young

There is a reason why films, games, TV shows etc... have an age restriction. It's not just about replicating what they see.

My 12 year old isn't getting it he has one age 16 game ive been all over this game I've zero idea why its rated 16 but GTA? Not in my house i hate it with a passion

You sound fun… not

With these scenarios I always say the rating is there for a reason, and it would help if parents would actually hold the line with their children and hold to the ratings, and then you wouldn't get undermined by the kids saying that other kids can play (or watch a film).

A 17 year old playing an 18 rated game is one thing, but a 13 year old is definitely too young.

Disclaimer - we can be a bit weird about certain games and films in the UK and they can have an 18 rating when eg in Germany it would be the equivalent of a PG! So it might be worth watching the film first or playing the game first (or asking a trusted adult who has) to see if the rating is actually needed or whether it's just a prudish person at the ratings organisation.

How offensive!

Clearly playing games like GTA WAS damaging to you.

Well just because other parents are irresponsible doesn't mean that the OP has to be.

That poster probably still isn't old enough for GTA, poor lamb.