To not want my 9yo playing 18-rated games?

[Porcuine20]

My ds best friend (they’re both 9) has recently started playing 18 games like Call of Duty, GTA. His parent are the ‘cool’ type and have no problem with this, they’ve bought the games for him… however I do have a problem with my 9yo playing them at his house, as I don’t believe he has the maturity or understanding - he’s a child. Friend’s mum makes out I’m being overprotective (in earshot of my ds) and my ds is annoyed and embarrassed that I won’t let him play those games… AIBU or is she?

Oh man, you definitely aren't being unreasonable. You have a right to choose what media your child engages with, particularly when it's violent, misogynistic and glamorises criminal activity. Not sure why anyone would be cool with a 9 year playing this kind of stuff. I'm a teacher and if a child of this age in my school said they were playing GTA I would be like wtf.

I have a 9 yr old boy and there’s no way he would be allowed on 18+ games. YANBU

Ds is 14 and wanted to download an 18 rated game this week and my answer was a flat no. From 16 onwards I may consider it with research into the individual game but no younger!

YANBU, I have played GTA, it is not suitable for a 9 year old

As a teacher , absolute no. I have known many children left disturbed or traumatised by this sort of exposure - quite often its the ones with parents who describe them as "mature" enough who are in reality stunned and numb

She’s mad. No way would I allow this.

I had similar years ago with a friend putting inappropriate films on. Stand your ground.

On the most recent GTA you can go to a strip club and touch the topless women whilst they give you a lap dance. You have to stop yourself from the security guard seeing you…. Yanbu for not wanting this.

Sexual harassment of women, violence and crime. Big no.

I can't speak to how graphic Call of Duty is, but I wouldn't be opposed to a war game per se.

But GTA is chock full of gratuitous violence, gore, blood, torture, sex scenes, prostitution, horrendous language... probably more.

Zero chance would my kids be playing that at 9, and if that makes me a party pooper, well, 🤷🏻‍♀️

my child would not be returning to their house :)

The website common sense media is a good source to check out games you’re not sure about. Gives sensible reviews and age suggestions.

And they wonder why children go off the rails, give me strength

Absolutely not, I'd be putting a halt to him visiting his house. I wouldn't trust my son somewhere where they have so little concern for their kids and what they're being exposed to.

Call of duty is not a game I would argue over at that age, truthfully it should probably be a 12. GTA is banned in our house, the originals were boarder line but the latest just go to far

My child would not be going to that house again.
And they aren't 'cool' they are awful.

I am relaxed about some age inappropriate films, off colour humour etc for my ten year old.

But he wouldn't be allowed near COD or GTA. They are busy playing FIFA, motor racing and primarily Minecraft.

YANBU - they are violent games especially GTA where your character can attack female prostitutes. Not suitable at all.

its upto you op, but at 11-12 i was gta, metal gear solid series, various films etc

She is a nob. Don’t allow your son over there.

And? For all we know, you could be an axe murderer!

OP, YANBU.

fair point but then id be unlikely on mumsnet

I think your instincts are telling you your 9 year old should not be exposed to these things. Please be a good parent and protect your child.

No from me too. From I’ve heard I wouldn’t even like my DH playing GTA. I don’t think this is “cool” at all. I think it’s a form of neglect to let your kids access content that is inappropriate for their age. Their brains are still developing, they can’t handle this type of violent content.

Next time the friend is at yours try giving them some porn to take back home and see how their parents react.......

It's 18 rated for a reason and the interactivity makes it more psychologically influencing than film, or other media.

Yanbu. If I knew a 9 yo was playing those games at work I'd be reporting it as a safeguarding concern.

Unless you’re only around 18 now, the versions of GTA you were playing would not have contained realistic depictions of topless women lap dancing.

I’m a gamer and, as a child, also played 18 rated games. I don’t think shooting games, like COD, necessarily need to be 18s but modern GTA games do contain softcore porn.

If you wouldn’t let your child watch softcore porn, you shouldn’t be letting them play GTA.