What age is appropriate?

[Conflagration85]

What age would you say is appropriate for kids to have games such as call of duty etc?

I'm childless but OH has an 8 year old son and I'm trying to work out if I'm just out dated in my opinions.

Not 8.

I stick to the age ratings for games and films

Well they have PEGI ratings to help you navigate what is appropriate and Call of Duty is an 18. It depends on the maturity level of your child - but definitely not 8 years old.

This is a useful site - did you know you can turn off swearing/violence in the settings of some of these games? https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2019/user-reviews/adult

Is it convenient for your OH to ignore the age ratings? Would sticking to them mean that your OH couldn’t play them as often as there is a child in the room, or that he uses the child as company to play them with?

Follow the age ratings, they are there for a reason.

Oh 100%, sometimes he treats him like a friend rather than a child of 8.

...The small ones mother got the kid a brand new contract phone for his 8 birthday, which blew my mind a bit but I just figured that being childless, I was perhaps out of touch.

My boy is 10 and i wouldn't let him play COD which is an 18. He does play a few games which are for 12/13 year olds. And one which is rated 16 (which i did check out first). But it's a blanket no to 18 ratings.

Certainly not 8! Having worked around children for the past 15 years, when a child says to his mates that he has been playing CoD and a teacher over hears it, it will be passed to the DSL. It may not be acted upon but it will certainly be noted in their file! There is a reason games have ratings, it might be "harmless make believe game" in the parents mind But actually can cause MH issues as their brains are not developed enough to comprehend what is actully happening in the game.

I used to know a 9/10 year old who would stay up late playing COD. Wouldn't recommend it.

I don't let my 11 year old play call of duty! Our general rule at the moment with films and games is that we will allow 12s, if he specifically wants a 15/16 rated we will talk about it first and might or might not allow(he hasn't wanted to yet) 18s are a definite no and will be for some time yet.

18 because its an 18 game

My sons played Call of Duty in their teens. 8 is too young.

Err, not 8.

My ds doesn't have CoD yet and he's 16.

My eldest GC has had a phone since 8. She has to do her homework online and because her parents are seperated, she can video call etc. I'd possibly allow COD at around 11, but this would be on the back of ensuring good empathy and talking about human rights etc. I don't think that you can sow good enough seeds at 8 to expose a child to what's on COD and you have to put extra work in with boys.

Too young. My DD (also 8) isn’t allowed it but plays Fortnite with v strict restrictions

Watch some footage of the game being played. I'd say 15ish if they are mature.

That said my 10 year old has Jurassic World which is a 16. (The dinos eat eachother and there is blood) I did a lot of research working out why and whether I thought it was ok for him. COD however is a very different game!

The age ratings are there for a reason.

Although also common sense, eg some 12 films such as the later Harry Potter are suitable for younger children if watched with an adult.

But 15 and 18 films stick to the limits

Have had an argument with 14yo as not allowing him to play doom because it’s just all bloody and grim! Cod Id say over 14 really with the odd comment about how awful it is for x reasons 😅

Do you mean that he's actually playing 18 computer games with an 8 year old. That's utterly unacceptable.

Honestly, how can you possibly think that's OK.

Personally I don't think it's okay, at all. But essentially it's not my child so my hands are somewhat tied.

I wouldn't want my 8 year old hearing the language or seeing prostitution and murder like some 18s and I think it's too young to be teaching them about war and European history etc which is needed for the context of COD.

I don't understand how you can be with someone who thinks that this behaviour is ok.

Don't have DC with him if he parents like this.

About 13 in our house but they were only allowed to play with DH and not with friends unless parents gave permission. They didn't not have GTA till they were earning their own money at around 15/16. Both are really mature and we have never had any issues around the content. I don't agree with an arbitrary ban for films games but we play/watch them first and make a decision.

At 8, absolutely not!

I don’t think there are prostitutes in COD? GTA does and you can beat them up apparently which is why if my kids ever want to play GTA they will do it when they leave home not before