AIBU to refuse GTA for my 14-year-old despite peer pressure?

[Jorge14]

My 14 year old son has asked for an age 18 computer game (GTA) as he’s the only one of his friends that doesn’t have it - he’s shown me online as you can see the ones who are playing it. I really don’t want him to have it but I don’t want him to get left out. Back story, my older son was ostracised and bullied at school because he had an Xbox whilst all his friends had a play station, it left him with awful mental health and he didn’t even finish school. I realise those kids are absolutely appalling for treating him like that, and he is ultra sensitive due to neurodivergence, but if I could go back I time I would’ve just got him the PlayStation to save the run of events we experienced after that. I wish mum’s could just normalise not getting these computer games. I don’t want him to have the game but I want him to feel included. WWYD

I always said no to GTA at home, he played it at friends’ houses but it’s an 18 for a reason! Would’ve let him at 16 but every was in to another game by then so it was never a major issue.
i do sympathise w the bullying thing though- is there another game they all play that is more suitable?

Of course all mothers do, but it's not just my opinion - plenty of people have told me how lovely they are! Youth group leaders, teachers, parents of their friends (male and female) I spend a lot of time with them and have never seen a hint of misogyny. They've grown up in a family of strong women and definitely see women as equals.

It’s a game. Everyone knows it’s just a game. I don’t get the fuss about this at all.

It’s the inherent misogyny that’s the issue with GTA as far as I’m concerned. I had a whole conversation with my boys about it (along with so many other conversations about misogyny) and was never clear it was never going to be played in my house. They moved right on to assassins creed and never asked again.

in certain aspects assassins creed is similar at times especially black flag with the pirates

Thanks everyone, decided it’s a No and will revisit at 16

Good for you. There are some FABULOUS parents on this thread - not

@Jorge14 end of the year gta6 will be released and youll need a ps5 for it

in what way ?

I think I allowed it around this age. He’d been asking for ages. I told him my objections and made him agree not to play story mode. He just wanted to drive cars (and shoot people). I know my son. He is mature and was never going to become a misogynist or violent criminal. He is 19 now and hasn’t played it for years. The obsession was quite short lived.