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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Call of Duty

137 replies

midgeysmum · 13/11/2009 09:49

My 13 year old is pleading with me to let him have the new C O D x-box live game so he can play with his classmates who all have it, only came out on Wed. It is an 18, he was only 13 in July. I haven't allowed him to buy any previous COD games which were rated 16, but he has borrowed one and played it at home. What do I do?

OP posts:

shockers · 13/11/2009 09:51

Say no... it's an 18 for a reason. Suggest other activities when they're all online playing it.

mumblechum · 13/11/2009 09:52

Have a look on the teenagers section (under "being a parent"), there are two threads running on MW2.

My ds (15) bought it from Amazon on Wed (I didn't actually realise it was an 18 till it arrived).

He says it is a bit disturbing, as it's not like watching violence on screen. Having said that, he enjoys the online aspect (the game itself only took him 5 hours to complete). Unfortunately I found him playing it at midnight last night.

I personally wouldn't let a 13 year old get it, but it's up to you really.

claw3 · 13/11/2009 09:55

Both my 13 year old and 16 year old play online on COD.

I will let you know, if and when they need counselling or turn into serial killers

Original poster

midgeysmum · 13/11/2009 09:57

Thanks mumblechum, I will look on other threads. I am new to the site so haven't found my way around yet.

OP posts:

chopstheduck · 13/11/2009 10:02

I'm not sure. I've only played it for an hour or so, so far. My kids aren't that old yet but there are disturbing aspects that I'm not sure I'd want them to be playing at that age.

So far, one thing was goign through an airport carrying our terrorist activity, massacring civillians. I know there are aspects that are also opt out because of the goriness.

chopstheduck · 13/11/2009 10:03

I also find ime video games have more impact than dvds, they def play on my mind a lot more.

mumblechum · 13/11/2009 10:29

COD4 was a 15, Modern Warfare 2 (the new one) is 18.

Defluffmyfanjo · 13/11/2009 10:59

Also when we play it online there is a lot of swearing (from other players / us etc) that you may not want him to hear. I think there is a way of turning conversation off though.

MamaG · 13/11/2009 11:02

My DH has this game. HE said it IS disturbing, there is a part of the game set in an airport where 100s of civilians get killed and the player can join in and shoot civilians. He said it was unecessary.

Please don't buy it for him, it really is too violent. Im not saying he'll turn into a serial killer, but it can't be good for a kid to be exposed to this sort of shit.

madamearcati · 13/11/2009 11:15

MY 14 and 11 yr old play it as do many of their friends

Stayingsunnygirl · 13/11/2009 11:21

Madamearcarti - do you feel that it is more violent/disturbing than the previous Call of Duty, or not?

I am one of the other people with a thread running about this - ds2 is pleading for it as all his friends have it, and apparently the bullies are picking on anyone who doesn't have it - and having been bullied for ages anyway, ds2 is desperate to have the game.

I don't like the sound of the game, but don't like the thought of ds2 being bullied either. On my thread people have made some excellent points on both sides of the argument - which hasn't helped at all. [wry smile emoticon]

MamaG · 13/11/2009 11:23

Well i think its very sad that you allow your 11 yo to play it madame

Sunny my DH said its more violent/disturbing than previous COD games.

claw3 · 13/11/2009 11:26

MamaG - Why is sad? What do you think will happen?

mice · 13/11/2009 11:37

What is the point in giving these games age ratings then?
I am shocked that parents would let their children as young as 11 watch something so violent. The thought my children would even "pretend" to massacre innocent people in a terrorist attack is highly disturbing and I can't imagine how any parent feels that this is acceptable for such a young child.
Thankfully my teenager is not interested and was himself horrified to see a parent buying it for a very excited child younger than 10 in Tesco yesterday.

somewhathorrified · 13/11/2009 11:38

Only you know the maturity and personality of your child. If you think they will take it for what it is (a game) then fine, but if you think that they are easliy influenced I'd say put your foot down...however having said this your child will probably end up playing this at friends houses anyway. Maybe you should play it, then you can make a more informed judgement on it?

whoisasking · 13/11/2009 11:43

Does anyone seriously think that playing a game which involves walking into an airport and gunning down a group of civilians is a good idea?

Not that I think letting under 18's play games which involve shooting the shit out of anything is a good idea, but come on! This is beyond a joke.

Search for "call of duty modern warfare 2 airport scene" in google and have a look. It's very very disturbing.

notagrannyyet · 13/11/2009 11:45

Well DH bought it for our 16 year old today. DS told us about the airport bit and I must admit I am worried by it. He as bought it with DS own money and if we refused to buy it he would play on it at friend's homes. I will insist he plays it downstairs and only when 14 & 12 year old brothers are out. So he'll be allowed it 2 hours on a Sunday and 2 hours one evening during the week. My biggest problem will be keeping the 14 &12 year olds off it. It does appear that most of the lads at school have it or will be getting it soon.I've not taken DS word on this. I actually asked several parents at this weeks year 10 parents evening.

jaquelinehyde · 13/11/2009 11:45

No, no, no, no, no!

I hate this, it's an 18 for a reason.

I'm sure in this one you can play the role of an Al Quieda terrorist as well.

CarmenSanDiego · 13/11/2009 12:00

Haven't played it yet, but in my experience, video games are usually rated much more harshly than DVDs and usually far more censored. It amazes me that gruesome, horrible films like Saw can be rated the same as cartoony, tongue-in-cheek stuff like Grand Theft Auto.

To be honest, I've been a gamer since I was very young and I don't think they've affected me too badly.

Although I murdered a few prostitutes and invaded an alien planet yesterday.

MamaG · 13/11/2009 12:00

I have been known to dream about MN. I would hate to think what dreams kids would have after playing this game. I'm making an informed posting here, I have watched the game being played and it really is very graphic.

I have a 10 year old, so just 1 year younger than madame's child who is playing and I would NEVER let her watch DH play this game, let alone play it herself.

I just can't understand why people would let young children (I'm not talking about a mature 15 year old here, after all) play a game of this nature.

aweaninamanger · 13/11/2009 12:01

my 18 year old son bough it he says himself the terrorist scenes are very disturbing and in bad taste but its not going to make him becme a terrorist just by playing the game the thoughts would have to be in his head to start with 15 0r 16 year old i would let play but a 10 year old no way

CarmenSanDiego · 13/11/2009 12:01

For the people horrified that you can play a 'baddie' or a terrorist, why is that so shocking? Do you think by pretending to be a baddie for a period of time, you will suddenly sympathise with them?

Surely it's no worse than being the robber in cops and robbers?

Perhaps it could be a useful prompt for talking to your kids about the themes in the game.

whoisasking · 13/11/2009 12:05

There is a difference between pretending to be a robber and pretending to shoot up a bunch of innocent people in an airport.

Why do you think there is an 18 certificate placed on this game? (genuine question)

mice · 13/11/2009 12:09

but what is a young 11/12/13 yr old gaining from playing a "baddie" or terrorist.
I am fairly sure my children have no terrorist tendencies and I don't think these violent games would "turn" them.
What I just don't understand is why on earth anyone would be so unconcerned about letting their young children watch something which adults are admitting is pretty hardcore violence. Why is it necessary? Since when did 12 yr olds have the upperhand and why can't parents just say no - you are too young?

claw3 · 13/11/2009 12:11

I hardly think my boys will turn into terrorist, terrorist sympathisers or run around pretending to be soldiers shooting innocent people in real life and are just as horrified as the next person if it happens in real life.

In COD 4 you can shoot dogs too and my boys have made no attempt to be anything other than be kind, gentle and loving to my dog!

People who do this in real life, would do so regardless of whether they played games as a kid.

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